9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0034
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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34 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) Another two of these and we’// try th/s sK/rng th/ng This year hasn’t just been about comings and goings. It has been a busy time coping with the manning problems and fast- balls presented to us. Nevertheless, we have all weathered the year well. Some of us have also been able to get out of the office and enjoy sports, adventure training and deployments on both operations and exercises. WOZ Mark Warren, LCpl Loz Tierney and Pte Tegerdine were able to enjoy the skiing in Sontofen in Mar 01. Unfortunately, they arrived at the end of the skiing season and were greeted by green hills and no snow. But luckily, their journey was not wast- ed as the following morning they awoke to a Christmas card win- ter scene. Unfortunately, the slopes of Sontofen didn’t know what they were in for. The first challenge for our skiers was the cable car journey to the ski runs. LCpl Tierney had his eyes closed all the way up (was it the sore head from the evening before) but he could be heard screaming “BANZIIIII”, all the way down. This was obviously a Brummie impression of a Japanese fighter pilot. But luck would be on his side with the aid of mounds of snow where he was able to stop - abruptly. In contrast, WOZ Warren and Pte Tegerdine took the slow, careful approach. This allowed them to apply their sun block, adjust their latest skiing fashion accessories and descend the slopes with style and grace. Our very own G3 Clerk, LCpl Scott, was able to savour the delights ofWimbledon 2001. While most people were dreaming of watching the likes of Hingis, Williams and Dokie on Centre Court, Scotty was tucking in to strawberries and cream, drink- ing Pimms and being paid for the privilege for two whole weeks. When C Sqn deployed with 2 RTR on Op AGRICOLA V to Kosovo, LCpl Crouch also went along for the ride. This being her first taste of an operational duty, she shared some of the mixed emotions of excitement and nerves along with the other junior members of the Squadron. During the tour, she was employed as the Squadron Clerk, which also attracted the duty of the SSMs driver and additional responsibilities including Female Searcher. It was not all work and no play, LCpl Crouch was able to keep up her tan and enjoy some PX shopping trips. On the subject of‘sun tans’, a small party of the Detachment were able to deploy with the Regiment on Ex SAIF SAREEA 2. This was the second time that W02 ‘1 am trying to get away from Hohne’ Warren had been to Oman. He had previously spent 28 months on loan service with the Omani Army. It was eight years since his last visit and, being a ‘fluent’ Arabic speaker, he would be of great assistance to the Regiment. Unfortunately, he was unable to find an Arabic phrase book in the Garrison Library so, prior to his deployment, he set about making up his own book for W02 Warren, LCp/ T/erney and Pte Tegerd/ne enjoy another day on the s/opes the Regiment. This new, improved version was an instant hit with Tprs able to speak to local tribesmen with phrases like “Is that your camel on my wagon?” and other such gems. LCpl Mann deployed with the FSA on the Advanced Party on Ex SAIF SAREEA 2, which brought with it a varied amount of work and location changes. The deployment to a different cli- mate and living conditions that comprised a wind swept camp site is a far cry from a cosy little office in Hohne. The exercise turned out to be problematic from start to finish. The heat proved to be the biggest handicap. During the setting up of Camp South, the temperature started at a cool 40 Celsius and steadily climbed and climbed... and climbed. The AGC party were able to hone their skills in tent erecting, on the direction of the OC HQ Sqn, to relocate the tent on numerous occasions. LCpl Mann was able to break free from the boredom of office and tent erecting, to volunteer to play at soldiers. He was part ofa section that carried out various attacks on enemy locations, some being carried out by Chinook helicopter. On one tasking, the section had to surprise 4 Bde. LCpl Mann had secretly made it his mission to put a smoke grenade into Maj Burton’s ‘Binner’. But unfortunately, the tables were turned when they were spotted de-bussing from a 4 Ton truck and found them- selves on the receiving end of a full-scale counter attack. LCpl Mann also undertook driver training. He excelled at man- aging to tow a trailer behind a Land Rover without it touching the ground. He misunderstood the fact that he didn’t have to break the sound barrier, despite being given the title of RMO’s driver (no flashing blue lights were required but he did shout “Neee Naaa Neee Naaa”). The Docs Supervisor decided that he too had to catch up on his sun tan after leaving Cyprus. Sgt ‘Bagpuss’ Wetherall managed to break into a sweat on at least one occasion, but, as most of the photographs prove, he spent the majority of his time reading the extensive library he had brought with him, or sleeping. He was able to practice his newly acquired addition to his driving license, which allowed him to play with big trucks. He returned from Ex SAIF SAREEA 2 a dejected man though, as he could- n’t find any hedgehogs to stick to the side of his cab. The harsh desert environment took its toll on the majority of the Regiment who succumbed to the dreaded stomach bug. An unpleasant experience, best forgotten by all, especially when you have to resort to burying your underpants after failing to make it to the DTL. Does this bring back memories LCpl Mann? Hopefully next time he will bury the dirty ones! |
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