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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0042

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2001
Transcription 42 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S)
”H-111; ' a: .
Moses/ /t’s Moses/ No hang on, /t’s on/y Padre M/Hs on Wa/Kabout aga/n
and saddened by the tragic death of Adam Slater who, at the time,
was serving with C Squadron in Kosovo. I was privileged to be
able to conduct Adam’s funeral service in his home Parish in
England, which was followed by a Memorial Service, held on the
Regimental parade square in Hohne. This enabled the remainder
of the Regiment to pay it’s respect to a friend and colleague. I feel
sure that the dignity with which the Regiment conducted both
the filneral and the memorial service will go a long way in help-
ing Adam’s family deal with their tragic loss.
Before long, having volunteered to deploy on Ex SAIF SAREEA
2, I found myself in the middle of the Omani desert. The
Psalmist speaks of striking rocks in the desert, from which living
water will flow. I must say that I never found any that produced
water, despite hitting them with my stick, so I had to do with the
hot water I carried. I did however take many opportunities of
wandering off into the desert to be on my own with God, much to
the annoyance of the Regimental Second-in-Command. With my
shemagh wrapped around my head, and a good supply of water, I
headed out - having first given my compass bearing to the CV. I
would walk for about 4 miles. The heat was unbelievable. There,
I could find a stillness I have never experienced before. There is
a strange kind of beauty in the barrenness of the land that I found
quite breathtaking. For the first time in my life I could under-
stand why our Lord went into the wilderness to be alone with
God, and why so many biblical characters went off into the
wilderness. After several hours of walking, I arrived back in our
encampment where some wag thought I looked like Moses as I
came over the rise to report back to the CV.
I think most would agree that Ex SAIF SAREEA 2 was more
about surviving in the harsh desert environment, than it was test-
ing the fighting ability of the Armed Forces. The events of
September llth heightened everyone’s awareness of the delicate
peace that exists in our world, and though engaged in an exercise,
we were all very conscious of what the future might hold.
Avoiding the intense heat, early one morning we held a short
service of remembrance, with a period of silent reflection, for all
who had died. I believe that these events brought out the very
best in the Regiment.
As this year closes, I now look forward to what 2002 will unfold and
pray that God’s peace will reign over our troubled world.
PjM
OP AGRICOLA V
rom 12th February until 22nd June C Sqn, under the com-
mand of Maj Crewdson deployed as part of the ZRTR
Battle Group on Op AGRICOLA V to Kosovo. The Squadron
operated out of three bases in North East Kosovo constantly
patrolling in CVR(T), Land Rovers and on foot. We were for-
Lt Corooran m a farm/y reun/on, hop/Hg the GSA don’t find out
tunate enough to have the variation provided both by our
area, from the mountains in the North to the more hectic pace
in Podujevo, and by numerous operations in the rest of
Kosovo to ensure that the tour never had a dull moment.
Living so close to one another in Germany, and sharing an
LCp/ Browne attent/ve on rad/o stag 7st Troop SOP’S, apparent/y
n- . ‘
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