9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2004 - Page 0083
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 81 Home Headquarters Home Headquarters, 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales’s), TA Centre, Saffron Road, Wigston, LEICESTER LE18 4UX Regimental Secretary Major DN Chappell Assistant Regimental Secretary Captain SP Hardy Telephone: 0116 2785425 Fax: 0116 2759571 Administrative Officer Mr S Mamnani Web Site:www.delhispearman.org.uk Clerical Support Assistant Miss A Ilankovan e-mail: hardy@delhispearman.org.uk [Ma/Or D/V Chap/ad! Capra/fl SP Hardy, 004 has been a year of change, at least personalities. In order of importance, Ann Cornwall has retired after 22 years in the office. While no one is irreplaceable Ann’s encyclopaedic knowledge of people and events is. As ever, in situations, if she did not know the answer, she knew someone who did. Without commenting on previous incumbents of this post, she was clear- 1y well acquainted with the early signs of an outbreak of the headless chicken syndrome and did much to prevent it reaching epidemic proportions. A filller appreciation of her qualities is carried elsewhere in the journal but suffice it to say that from a new Secretary’s point of view, she was a tower of strength. Moreover if her ghost sti11 inhabits the office it is entirely benevolent!! Her place has been taken by Ajantha Ilankovan. Born in this country of Sri Lankan parents, Ajantha has a degree in Computer Studies and is in the last stages of attaining a Masters degree in Information Systems at the University of Sheffield. Without any knowledge of the Army, let alone the regimental system, she has settled in quickly. Her experience of computers is proving a great asset as HHQ introduces new hardware and she will streamline our information system in the near future. Suresh Mamnani is now in control of the office and in particu- lar the accounts. His hard work for the Charitable Association Funds has been borne out by the (to date!) trouble free auditing by our accountants. The work by its nature is very painstaking but it also adds to his knowledge of the personalities of the reg- iment, past andpresent. Without the tireless efforts of the ‘back office’ the never ending stream of small, but important queries would never be answered. Joe Hardy (he of the large new motor car, black labrador and the fishing rod) runs the show as ever. Until my arrival in May last year, Joe carried the full burden. The very nature of the work Mr S Mam/7am, M55 A Marika/am, that we do, the multitude of small varied queries over the tele- phone and the duties that can demand a lot of travelling must have been a heavy load for one man. He now threatens to make up for lost time on the water, but how he is going to do that when I am on holiday, I just don’t know! However, as I am keen to have a happy office, I am researching the proximity of good fishing and a Little Chef, particularly in the south of England! The year has been a busy one. The usual round of OCA func- tions, Mons Moy, Lunches and Dinners all have to be organised, names listed, flights booked and even menus agreed. Perhaps the single biggest workload comes from the Museum. This is covered in the Museum notes, but we are all working towards the final application to the Lottery Fund in April. There are a number of events due to take place this year to com- memorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, during the summer, for which nominations have been put forward. It is also hoped that we may get some extra funding for related events in this country where we can show the necessary educational benefits and interaction between the generations. These are being worked on as I write. It has been strange to return to the regimental fold after 20 years away. However, having been out to Hohne for Mons Moy, and seen the workings of the OCA and HHQ especially in its chari- table work, the regimental system, that some in high places do not place much value on, seems to be as strong as ever. It is per- haps a fact of our modern world that the Treasury will dictate the future organisation of the Army, but without the range of forces charities offered by regimental associations, SSAFA and the ABE local and central government institutions offer a very poor alternative. Certainly those latter organisations will often refilse charity if they learn that a service charity is available. Let us hope that they do not shirk from all their responsibilities. |
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