Who is Pete Rowan?
ROWAN, Peter James – MC (Declined)
DOB: 14 July 1980
POB: King’s Lynn, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Service No: 2512 3981
Service Branch: British Army – Infantry
Primary Unit: 4th Battalion, East Mercian Regiment (The Fenlanders)
Secondary Assignment: Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
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SERVICE RECORD – CLASSIFIED SUMMARY
Enlistment Date: 2 September 1997 (Age 17)
Initial Posting: 4 Bn East Mercian Regiment – A Company
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OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS
1998 – Northern Ireland (OP BANNER)
Deployed to Belfast and South Armagh during heightened sectarian tensions.
Conducted low-visibility surveillance patrols and checkpoint security.
1999 – Kosovo (OP AGRICOLA)
Assisted in civilian protection operations and border zone stabilisation.
Commended for initiative during hostile crowd engagement.
2001 – Afghanistan (OP VERITAS)
Early-phase deployment with joint NATO forces.
Involved in long-range patrols and terrain denial operations.
2003 – Iraq (OP TELIC)
Assigned to Basra AO. Survived high-casualty ambush en route to objective.
Alleged incident involving blue-on-blue airstrike – details redacted.
Recommended for Military Cross – Award declined on principle.
2005 – Afghanistan (Helmand AO/OP FINGLE)
Liaison operations with Pathfinders and UKSF assets.
Marked increase in hostile engagement frequency and operational secrecy.
2006 – Transferred to Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
Successful completion of Selection and Integration Phase.
Involved in cross-border HUMINT extraction and black reconnaissance.
Deployments: Afghanistan, East Africa, Balkans (dates and details redacted).
2011 – Temporary reattachment to 4 Bn East Mercian Regiment (OP HERRICK)
Final combat deployment with close associate WO2 Nick Keane.
MEDIVAC due to injury sustained on unauthorised mission (investigation inconclusive).
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NOTABLE COMMENDATIONS & REMARKS
Military Cross – Refused. Cited “command negligence and operational cover-up.”
Commanding Officer Remarks:
“Rowan is fiercely loyal, deeply principled, and fundamentally incompatible with bureaucratic military life.”
“Tactical instincts second to none. Morally incorruptible. Operationally unpredictable.”
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DISCHARGE STATUS
Effective Date: 12 October 2012
Type: Medical Discharge
Reason: Injury sustained on OP HERRICK
4th Battalion, East Mercian Regiment (The Fenlanders)
Cap Badge Motto: “Steady in the Storm”
Type: Light Role Infantry
Garrison: Dereham Barracks, Norfolk
Brigade Affiliation: Historically part of 7th Infantry Brigade (The Desert Rats), now operating as a flexible deployable force under 1st (UK) Division.
Formation & Legacy
The East Mercian Regiment was formed in 1995 as part of a restructuring initiative that merged several historic county regiments from Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire into a unified regional force. Drawing on deep local roots, the regiment adopted the nickname “The Fenlanders” to honour the flat, windswept, and often-forgotten marshlands of East Anglia — and the hardy communities within them.
The 4th Battalion was established in 1996 as a light role infantry battalion, primarily designed for rapid deployment, peacekeeping, and counterinsurgency. It quickly earned a reputation for being tight-knit, unpretentious, and relentlessly efficient — an outfit where you were judged by your conduct, not your background.
Cultural Identity
Known unofficially as the “Fen Rats” or “The Quiet Men”, soldiers from 4 Bn were often the product of rural upbringings — resourceful, grounded, and with a sharp sense of humour. The battalion cultivated a reputation for keeping their heads down and getting the job done without drama or complaint.
They weren’t glory-hunters, but they had a quiet competitiveness — especially with units from more high-profile regiments.
Operational History
1998 – Northern Ireland (OP BANNER): Urban security rotations in Belfast and rural patrols in South Armagh.
1999 – Kosovo (OP AGRICOLA): Peacekeeping and human intelligence support.
2001 – Afghanistan (OP VERITAS): Early deployment alongside 3 Commando and SF support units.
2003 – Iraq (OP TELIC): Played a key role in Basra clearance operations.
2005 – Helmand Deployment (OP FINGLE): Joint ops with Pathfinders and SRR elements.
2010s – Africa & Middle East Engagements: Discreet deployments in Mali, Libya, and training missions across East Africa.
2019 – Cyprus & Jordan Exercises: Training local forces in urban warfare and counterinsurgency.
Unique Details
Officers are traditionally issued a small silver fen whistle on completion of first deployment — a nod to early 19th century poachers and scouts from the region.
The battalion flag features a stylised rearing marsh stag in silhouette against a pale sunrise — symbolising vigilance and survival.