9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2013 - Page 0047
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2013 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES'S) 45 Regimental Café — Lancers’ Retreat We ‘e not just a Regimental Cafe, we welcome all through our cafe’ We have a selection of homemade cakes which goes down with all, especially the serving soldiers Even though a lot of our soldiers have deployed on H19 the café still has a steady flow of customers calling in for a breakfast or iust a coffee and a chat. In September the SSAFA Big Brew was held in the Lancers Re- treat Cafc, which brought in lots ofpcoplc all wanting bacon or sausage buttics and a slice of cake, all the money raised went to a great cause. We had an open morning in December where \V es and local businesses sold their wares just in time for Christmas. This en- couraged newcomers to meet and greet others and brought in new customers who did not even know we exist. The cafe also hosted a Christmas Crafts afternoon making Gin- gerbread houses and cards. The children had the opportunity of sending their homemade creations to mum or dad serving in Af- ghanistan, while the adults all tucked into delicious homemade pork and stuffing rolls. lANIERS RETREAT For us there has been very little change and in some respects we are busier than ever. We look forward to 2014 and all the cater- ing challenges it will bring! DR Rear Operations Group PERATION HERRICK 19 (the regiment’s 5th tour in 10 years) was always due to be a long one. When I returned to regimental duty just before Easter I had to get my mind into the breadth of the EXERCISE PASHTUN series; a dozen serials which were already in the planning. At that stage a deployment window of September/October still seemed a distance ahead. Within weeks I recognised the landscape was tight at best. The preparation for this tour in synchronisation terms was a feat of mastery. The sabre squadrons were not going to be seen lest for a few fleeting glimpses nor indeed would the fighting team from regimental headquarters. The challenges then became finding those chinks in the programme to catch a command group meeting or manning board. It was not possible nor appropriate for the mountain to move to Mohammed so opportunities were sort in Thetford, London, Cornwall or Wales... Meetings were held in a number of lounges at Heath- row airport. When the final team departed in October there was no hiatus as it appeared to be old news. They had not been here to date so plus ca change. 132 wives, 10 UK based wives, 6 with a foot in each camp, 180 children, 69 over the age of 10 and the prospect of Afghanistan for 8 months as they prepare to return to UK for good. The challenges for all were significant but those who know Hohne know that it offers something almost unique in terms of community spirit. The bonds are strong, the links into the wider community are mature and for those with a little imagination the opportunities are broad and varied. The breadth of activity in the timetable was only really limited by ones imagination. The ROG itself was tight with very little redundancy in any arena but a quorum of strength prevailed. With drawdown and re-basing as key functions, planning and preparing the return to role training, maintaining our stake in cross party amalgamation negotiations; there was never a dull moment. I was surprised at the volume and breadth ofissues that flow across the command- ing officer’s desk. The ubiquitous request for just another..... As a show of my appreciation, in the run up to Christmas, I took the ROG officers and warrant officers to Braunschweig for a day out. We had already stood down the non-essential per- sonnel so spent a much anticipated day on a diet of Gluh- wein and other German delicacies. The Regimental Charitable Association’s continued com- mitment to supporting the serving regiment, for which it classes dependents very much as part of its fabric, is enormously gratefully received. This year it has allowed dozens of excursions, courses, meetings and socials to take place, all of which make a significant positive effect on our wider opera- tional effectiveness. Support from Regimental Headquarters from Martyn and his team has been an end- less source of reassurance, help, historic con- text or just sound, reasoned alternate opin- ion and famously good company. I will be forever grateful for their perspective. SPD |
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