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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0020

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2001
Transcription 20 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S)
Corps at golf and LCpl Hollis continues to play for the
Regimental Rugby team. Tpr Smith 059 has established himself
as a leading light in the Bergen social scene and Tpr
Chamberlain has settled happily into married life with Amy.
Sgt Pegg continues to mix a mean cocktail and Cpl Payne to
drink them. Lt Wall still rides badly and continues to save for
a replacement for ‘the blue bullet’.
GW Troop
The year began with the Troop under the command of the mas-
ter of GW, Sgt Feltham, Lt Hubbard having disappeared at the
end of last year muttering the words ‘you ain’t seen me, right’.
LCpl ‘Gaz’ Whitby left to pursue a career with the SQMS and
LCpl ‘Al’ Davies was loaned to the Provost staff in Fallingbostel.
A GW controller’s course early on in the year saw a few new
faces joining the Swingfire world. These included Lt Simpson,
who was to fill the vacancy of Troop Leader. Other converts
from the Sabre Troops were Cpl Noone, LCpl Fleetwood, and
Tprs Reville and Dimock.
With the Troop reorganised, the next event on a hectic schedule
was Ex SWABIAN CRUSADE, the Regimental FTX. Due to a
lack of manpower, a composite troop was formed, by amalga-
mating GW and Support Troop. Sadly the resultant ‘super
troop’ was only together for a few days before the foot and
mouth disease brought about an early end to the exercise. This
was not, however, in time to prevent the Troop Leader from
being put out of action in a post Ex (friendly) football match.
The early return from south Germany gave plenty of time to
prepare for the GW firing camp. Sgt Feltham and LCpl Baker
took charge of the training, and to their credit the Troop
Mt S/mpson, LCp/ Dawes and Tpr Ward
achieved superb results. Tpr Reville gained the coveted ‘top
thumb’ title, his accuracy aided from time spent on the golf
course. Lt Simpson amused all onlookers with an impressive
missile aerobatics display, before getting one that worked.
After a well-earned summer break the Troop reconvened to pre-
pare for Exercise SAIF SAREEA II. Tprs Ward and Kirk
returned to B Squadron from a tour of Kosovo, with LCpl
Aveyard and Tpr Cook on loan to bring the Troop to full
strength. Tpr Reville was promoted to LCpl but due to injury
was replaced by Tpr Hamilton for the exercise. After an inten-
sive training period we departed for Oman. The Desert proved
to be a hostile environment, but once acclimatised the Troop
produced some outstanding results in the field. Success was not
only limited to exercise play. Cpl Noone, Tpr Jones and Tpr
Kirk found themselves first at the scene ofa serious road acci-
dent. It was due to their quick thinking and immediate first aid
that all casualties were evacuated safely. After a long journey
back to Germany the Troop dispersed on leave before the ardu-
ous task of cleaning vehicles and equipment.
The end of the year brought with it the usual rounds of socialis-
ing and preparation for the New Year ahead. With the combina-
tion of being part of the Lead Armoured Task Force, and OPFOR
in Canada, the filture looks both busy and exciting for GW
Support Troop
Support Troop has had a dynamic year in which new faces have
come and gone leaving the hard core of regulars to watch their
passing in a variety ofplaces around the world. Those places in
which individuals have deployed have included a busy tour of
Kosovo, the sands of Oman and Canada.
Sgt Wh/te & LCp/ F/mt EX SS2 post attack on mat/Hes
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