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Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0054

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Transcription A Short History of fire 9rIzJ'IEI/1 Lancers
the competition, However, disappointment at polo was amply
compensated by the outstanding achievements of Captain Perry
and Major Gilks at the Grand Military Meeting at Sandown
in March where they won the Grand Military Gold Cup and
the Hunters Chase respectively on “Willow King" and “Al
Border". As far as is known no other Regiment has achieved
this double. In BAOR the racing stable won seven races, The
skiers did well and managed to be runners-up in the Princess
Marina event, Over 200 soldiers were taught to ski at the
regimental hut at Hindelang in Bavaria. It was a notable year
for the Basketball team under Stafi Sergeant Soulsby. On the
ranges regimental firing organised by Captain Boag produced
the best result since arrival in the theatre and the Regiment
narrowly missed being selected, some said luckily, to represent
the Army in the NATO Canada Cup tank gunnery competition.
Two formation exercises took place in the autumn; one in
Bavaria devised by Brigadier Abraham (last C0 of 12th Lan»
cers) was greatly enjoyed by all ranks whilst the other became
merely a command and movement afiair as one squadron only
saw the enemy. The Journal comments — “Considering the
preparation and work that goes into these exercises it is a
tragedy that higher commands cannot devise them to be ofmore
interest to the troops.” The Reece Squadron spent another
excellent fortnight in Denmark with the Gardehussars Regi-
ment.
In June the Regimental Quartermaster, Major Maguire,
retired after 32 years service. He had driven Lt—Col Lumsden,
commanding the 12th Lancers, during the Dunkirk campaign,
for which he was awarded the MM, and shortly after reaching
the desert in 1941 he took command ofa Troop until his capture
in Italy in 1944. He was commissioned in the field by General
Sir Harold Alexander during the battle for Tunis and gained
an MC in Italy. Captain Quinn relieved him. Padre Roe also
left in the New Year after two year’s devoted service to the
Regiment. His fifteen minute “Padre’s Hour“ in the cookhouse
every fortnight were memorable occasions. The Regimental
Altar Frontal dates from his time. In July Lt-ColWoodhead
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