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Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0062

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Transcription A Short History of the 9th/12th Lancer;
Queen’s Dragoon Guards to C Squadron. The Second-in-
Cornmand also changed in July when Major Mackaness
relieved Major Bonsor on his retirement. Major Moule was
welcomed back from retirement to the permanent staff appoint-
merit of RAC Recruit Record Officer — a iob which did not
prevent him taking a prominent role in the hunting field.
A return to England enabled many more from the Old Com—
rades Association to visit the Regiment. 130, for instance, with
the Colonel of the Regiment, came to Mons/Moy day in Sep-
tember and the remarkable figure of 70 made the journey for
two years to see ASquadron in Berlin. Being the only RAC
Regiment north of the Thames many visitors were attracted to
Catterick and much Public Relations work was needed, not
least with the 200 or so parents that arrived every fortnight to
witness the recruit passing offparades. It was particularly nice
to be able to welcome five Yeomanry Regiments in transit to
training areas during 1969. Time too was available to spend in
the Regiment’s recruiting counties of Leicester, Derby and
Northants. In addition to finding more recruits nothing but
good could come from tightening the links with these counties
and their leaders.
A sensible decision was made to concentrate on polo in the
Berlin Squadron and to use the Catterick stables as a base for
hunting and racing. By the 1969/70 season the horsebox was
regularly in use going to meets of the Bedale and Zetland and
seventeen horses were up. One of these, “Bel Ambre”, had
very kindly been presented by the Colonel-in-Chief and after
qualifying with the Zetland — usually with Lt Wright in the
saddle — he was put in training with Jumbo Wilkinson with an
eye on the Grand Military. This was unfortunately cancelled
in 1969. Lt Mort took over the Catterick Beagles and was able
to show a lot of sport with Lts Chappel, Thring and Wright
whipping in. The Regiment did not gain any particular dis~
tinctions in games during its home tour except for the Bas—
ketball team which won everything except the Army
Championships and a crew under Captain Perry which did well
in the inter—regimental regatta at Seaview. For the first time
for very many years the Regiment was represented at Bisley
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