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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1985 - Page 0038

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 1985
Transcription THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL
Third troop refused to turn tail and
stood like Horatius at the bridge
defying all — and they were very con-
siderable odds. An enemy umpire
shepherded a far from penitent third
troop to safety where the Sqn Ldr
Major Searby described in graphic
detail what his views were on the subject
of Horatius. Oh to be in his syndicate
at Camberley!
The Squadron changed to “under
command” a variety of formations in a
short period of time, These frequent
changes would even have bewildered a
‘lady of the night' in the free City of
Hamburgl Credit for the lack of
exercise casualties must go to
Major Searby and Captain Boughey
(21C) whose ‘Nelsonian‘ blind eyes
and deaf ears ‘I saw no umpires, I hear
no umpires’. saved the troops on more
than one occasion from dullish hours.
The Squadron was placed under
command of 8 Air Mobile Brigade
from the USA. Their soldiers carried
packs as large as Land Rovers and dug
hides in which they placed their packs
and themselves. while C Sqn harried
the American Tiger Brigadet When this
had taken place, the 8 Air Mobile
Brigade, who had never seen their
enemy, filled in these tank and land-
rover traps and trudged wearily away,
while Second Troop demonstrated
their prowess by staging an egg~banjo
cooking competition. Great skill was
shown by SSM Kirkbride in liberating
from the Echelons the nicest barns
throughout the exercise.
Other tasks included acting as the
Regulating Headquarters for the ‘Big
Push' efficiently shovelling machinery
in the direction of the enemy.
1985
The lead up to Christmas was un-
eventful. We sadly said farewell to
Major Searby. congratulated him on
his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel
and look forward to seeing him back in
the not too distant future
36
set '41

Bt‘lort' .um «um
smt' lmilimg.
The first two months of the year
were taken up with well earned leave,
Ex SNOW QUEEN and upgrading
courses in the training wings. The
shortest ARU on record for the
Squadron took place on 25th March
when Brigadier Hayman-Joyee, our
Commander Armour at 1(BR) Corps,
invited us all to march 8 miles. This we
did in 90 minutes. SOUTH FORK
exercised the Squadron Headquarters
in early April, then the entire Regiment
moved to Bavaria for Exercise SILVER
lUBlLEEt Troop training was carried
out in terrible weather, in beautiful
countryside among a most friendly
population The Sqn 21C, Captain
Stafford liaised closely with the
administrators and students of a riding
school at Marbach and was
rewarded with hot showers and
relationships of an international nature.
The Son Ldr was able to arrange 20 mile
route marches for the Squadron. Poor
LCpl Thompstone, his driver, had to
carry out the march two or three times.
Tm L‘lit‘LiV of Army
We were all pleased that 3 Tp came
second and 1 To came fifth in the Tp
Competitions During Sqn Trg we
took on and routed A Sqn; no doubt
they felt the same During Regimental
Training the Squadron successfully
defended the Duke of Rotkopia‘s
Treasury from an expected attack
which failed to materialize. We still
await the prizes! Site Guards have
come and gone and all look forward
to summer holidays after Mons Moy in
July,
We welcome Major Morpeth, Capt
Stafford, SSM Simpson who was
awarded the BEM in the New Year‘s
Honours List. and SSgt Dixon who
commands the LAD Sections Also we
welcome the soldiers who arrived in
1984 and 1985; Tps Chadwick, Clarke,
Cox, Davies, Duff. Lowe, Luff, Major.
Parrott, Phillips, Smith, Strong, Taylor,
Willis. Wright. The following have
joined us from other Squadrons Cpl
38885, LCpls Grieg and Francis and Tpr
Knightt
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