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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2013 - Page 0052

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2013
Transcription 50 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9rH/12TH ROYAL LAN CERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S)
Over the course of the year, we have seen a number of new faces
over the course of the year, beginning with the welcome addition
of brethren from the Coldstream Guards (Capt Howlin, now in-
separable from Capt Robinson) and from the Yorks (Capt Kume-
Davy, who spends most of his time in the office anyway). We
also welcome new subalterns: ZLts Nickel-Lean, Randle, Cowie
and Harnett. We have also said farewell to several Mess Mem-
bers with Major Miles and Capts Luke and Harden all leaving
us for greener pastures in the civilian world, and Major Foot-
Tapping and Capt Hector moving on to postings new.
There appears to have been something in the Bredebeck water
this year, with more weddings and proposals than one could
shake a proverbial garter at. Capt Duffield led the charge in
March with his wedding to the lovely Sarah, with Capt Mi-
nards following in April with the delightful Maria. Inspired by
their example, the summer saw a slew of betrothals, including
Capt Horsfall and almost all of the A Sqn subalterns, with Capt
Davies following in the autumn and Mr Harden in early winter.
One doubts that they’ve all been as thorough as Capt Horsfall
who completed a ‘7 questions’ estimate to help choose a honey-
moon location.
On our return we can look forward to a busy year in the Mess to
take full advantage of the joys of Schloss Bredebeck before the
return to England.
A70
The Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess
he past year has been dominated by our preparations for Af-
ghanistan, and consequently social events in the WOs’ and
Sgts’ mess have been less frequent than we would have liked, but
rest assured, we did grasp opportunities where they existed and
the social side has endured, the following report captures the
highlights.
In a break with tradition I am going to start with a vote of ac-
knowledgment. An enormous thank you is extended to W02
(SSM) Jay Mawhinney. Keen to take pressure away from the
deploying SSMs and conscious that his tenure would be lengthy;
Jay was gracious enough to take on the role of President of the
Mess Committee indefinitely. He has been uncomplaining, pro-
active and, above all, exceptional; at the time of writing he has
been in post for a little over a year which is probably a record!
Put simply Jay is responsible for most ofthe events you will read
about below, without him the Mess would have been a much
quieter place.
Before we get into the highlights, an observation; visitors to the
mess will have noted that the average age of our members has
dropped significantly this year. The arrival of ‘young bucks’ like
Sgts Kelly, Mawby, Edwards and Dyer has brought a younger
(arguably much needed) feel to the place. Good news indeed,
however, there is always a trade-off, and their entrance has seen
the appearance of some god awful suits! Now, I’ll freely admit
that my contempt for the ‘modern cut of cloth’ is probably born
from my advancing years, but I remain convinced that these
suits belong on the back of the lead singer of Showaddy-waddy
and not on a SNCO. . Perhaps I’m not quite as ‘street’ as I once
thought.
Thankfully there are still sufficient numbers of ‘old boys’ to
ensure the Mess remains familiar territory and Warrant Offic-
ers’ lunches remain the vehicle of choice for ensuring tradition
remains alive. Whilst consuming vast amounts of port, setting
a place at dinner for the much revered ‘Buddha’ and the early
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