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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0018

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2002
Transcription 16 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S)
SHQ Troop
HQ Troop has seen another busy year pass by with its usual
good humour and hard work. Most of the players have
remained the same with the exception of the arrival ofa new ZIC
in the shape of Capt Wall and a new Squadron Sergeant Major
in SSM Des Henderson. Cpl Parrott was promoted to Sergeant
and filled the vacant Troop Sergeant slot and congratulations go
to him, which has given Sgt Curl more time to get away on a few
bike rides and give his beloved radios his full attention, LCpl
Eagshaw was promoted and then left swiftly to complete his
crew commander's course. Tprs Rogers, White and Dimmock
were all inexplicably given a stripe, whilst new blood was pro
rided in the form or Cpl Mawhinncy, LCpl Jones and Tprs
Humble, Furness and Martin. The year has been dominated
with the Regimental deployment to Canada, which has seen the
Troop split to the four winds. As with the rest of the Squadron
a challenging and enjoyable time was had by all, although the
CV loafers may have fottnd it harder than most to adapt to the
Arctic like temperatures. Most were able to get away skiing or
at least to go on a few road trips, Preparations for Bosnia have
occupied the remainder of the year and provided a focus for
2003.
Tpr Martin was guided to success in the Peto cup under the
expert coaching of Sgt Patron laying the foundations for an
excellent Regimental boxing career. LCpls Rogers and White
have played rugby for the Regiment, whilst Tpr Humble also
turned his hand to boxing. LCpls Blazict and Dimmitck have
enjoyed time away on the RP staff and continued to provide
excellent value on both the Tank Park and in the bar. Major
Farrer celebrated his second year in charge by becoming
engaged and our best Wishes go with him and Leah. With a
summer tour ahead in the Balkans, the Troop looks forward to
improved tans, bank balances and medals for the embarrassing-
ly bare officers.
lst Troop
he year started with the Troop eagerly awaiting the immir
ncnt arrival of both Sgt Ingram and the return of Cpl
Haynes. Bcfote that. however, the remains of the Troop
deployed on the Regimental Firing Period, where a healthy
rivalry soon developed between (3/5 10 (Lt Evans and LCpl
Gibson) and C/S lZ (Cpl Langston and LCpl Whitby).
Unfortunately not content wtth just basting C/S 10 on the
ACT‘s, Cpl Langston also covered himself and his crew in glory
on the Commanding Officers shoot. C/S 12's charge into the
heart of the third shock army was not only worthy ofimmortal-
isation on canvas but brought comment from the Commanding
Officcr himselfiunfortunately unprintable in this publication),
All eyes then turned to the deployment to BATUS, and 1st
Troops wealth of experience and talent was deemed unfair and
thus the Troop was split between the Tank and Recce companies
to redress the balance. All apart from Tpr (H) Harris who man»
aged to break his wrist, an injury he pleads was sustained play
ing football despite numerous rumours to the contrary. Sgt
Ingram returned to take over a Pinzgauer in Rccce Company
and soon formed a close bond with LCpl Gibson that is until he
managed to park their wagon in the nearest ditch. Cpl Langston
took Tpr‘s (Pie) Humble and (Goose) Smith 153 into Reece Coy
as a Sturgeon crew, Despite a rather grueling maintenance
schedule, which included changing everything on the wagon
apart from the crew, Cpl Langston managed to gently coax the
best from his young crew.
I.t Evans, for some unspecified misdemeanor was joined in the
turret by LCpl Whitby fresh from EXCON for MMZ. As the
Troops time in Canada was drawing to an end Tpr Osborne and
Tpr Oldale WiLh love interests in Medicine Hat decided to stay
for the whole of the 9 months.
The rest of the Troop returned for some well-deserved post
EATUS leave. LCpl Whitby disappeared onto his Gunnery
Instructors and then to 3rd Troop still dreaming ofhis Canadian
love, while Cpl Haynes‘s transfer to the REME finally came
through. Tpr Humble moved titer to SHQ and 'l‘pr Osbume
joined GW Troop. The Troop was joined by Tpr Gray just in
time for Ex RAMPAGING LANCER. Due to Sgt Ingram mov-
ing over to England to take control of the RRT (an influx of
blond females is expected at Bovingron shortly], Lt Evans was
joined by Sgt Ctirl to lead the composite team. Despite a rather
wet start it turned out to he an enjoyable week. The only slight
concern was diffusing the device designed and built bv Cpl
Haynes. Just how realistic he had made it was a matter of some
consternation, so Tpr Smith 158 was dispatched alone to diffuse
it.
In October Lt Evans skived offskiing for twu months along
with Tpr Oldale who was determined to get his LSSA bonus.
Meanwhile the Troop began to look forward to its Christmas
leave, a period made happier by the news of Cpl Gibson's pro-
motion on his return from Crew Commanders. On return in
January, the Troop was joined by Cpl Jones from Catterick and
LCpl Reast from 1—10 Son. Along with Tpr‘s Dyer and
Heighton from Support Troop. The Troop also finally got rid of
Lt Evans who moved to Support Tp. The next task was the
OPTAG training where the Troop had to order a number of
white feathers for Cpl Jones and co who disappeared when the
riot occurred. The Troop now fully trained up for the deploy-
ment to Bosnia awaits the return onLt Farrer and the move to
Banja Luka,
RE
2nd Troop
{ter a steady Xmas leave, the year started with a vengeance.
Sensing this early on Mr Eyreoruak gave an almighty cry
of “oonooh nooooo", parked up his tractor at Bredebeck and dis-
appeared to England for the Grand Military Gold Cup. With the
extensive training involved (allegedly) this would be Lhe last
time we would see him until mid march.
February brought the Regimental Annual Firing Period and
with 100% crew turbulence and the phrase if it aint raining...
running through our minds it promised to be a challenging
time, thankfully cttcn with LCpl (Blind I’cw) Bennison it
proved to be a successful time for the Troop with lev 6 AST
being achieved across the board. In March came the big push
towards BATUS training and with it the war stories of MED
Cti’Berm son sorcerte CrilFa. perish.
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