9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2005 - Page 0040
Image details
| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2005 |
| Transcription |
38 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) ‘May I inform you of my gratitude and thanks to Cpl Payne, I am the supervisor of Wavell Day-care Centre, in Bergen, Cpl Payne’s wife Emma is a volunteer helper in the group. Over the last 4 months I have had a huge task of making the children’s garden here enjoyable for them to play in as before it was very empty and unexciting Thanks to Cpl Payne, he has volunteered his own time to the creche and has built a superb sandpit with a cover (and supplied sand at his own expense) 7 he has removed old paving slabs and fenced a garden area for the children to plant their own flowers and vegetables. this has taken a tremendous amount of Cpl Payne’s time, but I am happy to say that due to his effort the garden area is now looking fantastic. Please forward our thanks and appreciation.’ And from a separate letter written by the Garrison Commander. ‘I am pleased to see that volunteering is still a part of service life and I hope that his efforts and Mrs Payne’s will be an example for other to follow’. It was therefore no exaggeration when I saw Cpl Payne’s vehicle on gunnery camp this year. Written on the side of it was ‘Spud Payne a legend in his own lifetime’ 7 he could not have a better epitaph. I would like to finish with some words from King George VI’s Christmas message, following the outbreak of the Second World War. It might help us all to say goodbye: “...and I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year; “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown” and he replied 7 “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” EULOGY TPR C] SMITH It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Trooper Carl Smith as a result ofa vehicle accident whilst on operations south of Basra in Abu Al Khasib. Trooper Carl Smith made a profound impact during the short time he had been in the Army. He joined his local regiment, the 9th/l2th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales’s) where he rekindled friendships he had made at school. Having completed basic training Trooper Smith was eager to deploy and to make a difference in Iraq. He arrived in theatre on 23 January 2006. Bright, enthusiastic and displaying all the hallmarks of a good reconnaissance soldier, Trooper Smith had impressed everyone on his pre deployment training in the UK. He adapted quickly to his surroundings in Iraq and relished the demands made of him by this unfamiliar country and operational environment. During his initial period of familiarisation Tpr Smith was never still, seeking opportunities to patrol in the suburbs of Basra and Abu Al Khasib, and to soldier with his Troop. He was a man who even in the short time he was with the Regiment displayed the potential to do well in the Army. Lt Col Charles Crewdson, his Commanding Officer said, ‘Trooper Carl Smith settled in very quickly to regimental soldiering, his early impressions of Iraq were positive and he understood the importance of his mission. He was starting a joint patrol with the Iraqi Army, when tragically his vehicle was involved in an accident. Despite only serving for a short time he had already earned an excellent reputation as a hard worker. As all members of the Regiment who die on active service his sacrifice will be remembered and never forgotten. Tpr Smith bore all the trademarks of what makes the British Army great. Keen, intelligent, compassionate and motivated he was moved greatly by those he encountered in Iraq during the course of his patrols. Our thoughts are with his family and young son. The Regiment has lost a friend and a soldier brimming with potential. We count ourselves fortunate to have served with such a man.” Trooper Carl Joseph Smith was born on 19 November 1982 at Kettering. Schooled in Rushden, Northamptonshire, Carl joined the Army at 22, following a school friend into the 9th/l 2th Royal Lancers (Prince ofWales’s). Following his initial training at the Army Training Regiment, Winchester and then The Armour Centre, Bovington he began preparations to join his Regiment in Iraq, as a part of the 7th Armoured Brigade (The Desert Rats). Throughout his training he proved bright, inquisitive and enthusiastic, drawing compliment from his instructors. Eager to join his Regiment on operations he deployed to B Squadron, based in Basra Palace, as part of The 9th/l 2th Royal Lancers (Prince ofWales’s) Battlegroup. |
| Title |