Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0100
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Tidworzli of 1974 the island had settled down to a relative peace either side of the military dividing line. Patrols and observation were the order of the day with troops in the ESBA reporting on the manning of Turkish 01’s and the type of weapons seen. The EOKA threat was not entirely over as a number of bombs which exploded at Christmas indicated. In Episkopi there was plenty of time for troop training, exercises with the resident battalions and sport, although the Squadron, as the only Reece unit in the Sovereign Base Areas, had to be at short notice to deploy. The excellent swimming, sailing and skiing oppor- tunities nearby were fully used and the Squadron played a major part in the Saddle Club and on the polo ground as the 12th Lancers had done in 1959. During a visit of the Com- manding Officer in February 1979 a team consisting of him, Captain Arkwright, Lt Mackaness and Lance Corporal Lat- timer played well in the GOCs Cup match drawing 2-2. The Cup had last been won by CSquadron 9th Lancers in 1923. Lt Mackaness also distinguished himself being placed second in the All»Island Horse Show. In September Maior Lort- Phillips came out to take over the Squadron from Major Read- head. It was a brave decision to arrange Mons/Moy day for the latter part of February. Few of those who attended will forget the weather conditions of deep snow and ice that would have prevented the Church Parade on Sunday without the help of the Royal Engineers and their bulldozers. Tidworth became cut offfrom the south and stranded members ofthe Association had to stay over until the roads were opened. Captain Bennett, who had taken a party of 24 to train in Kenya, found conditions quite different. It has already been noted that A Squadron ioined C Squadron in Cyprus in March. As part of the United Nations Force Reserve it was camped 4miles from Nicosia on a rocky, dusty ledge of land — a two and a half hour bumpy, hot, and dusty ride, as noted by its LAD detachment, from the nearest bikini- clad maiden on a beach. Dressed in the UN blue beret with UN badge and equipped with 25 white painted Ferrets it was deployed in OP positions along the buffer zone between the 97 |
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