9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0035
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 35 With the two months in the desert over it was time for 2 days in a luxury hotel in Muscat, Oman’s capital city. However, due to the post-September 11th security situation, we found ourselves confined to the hotel. This was an experience the three ‘Amigos’ would not want to repeat. But at least they have been able to return from the exercise with lessons learnt and better equipped to deal with the challenges on exercise. Cpl ‘Jackie-Brown’ Anderson was also able to taste the experi- ence of desert life when, a month after the advance party had deployed, she too went to Oman. For her sins, she had been sec- onded to l (U K) Armd Division. Luckily, she was placed on duty at nights so she didn’t have to worry about the spiders that everyone had been talking about. Trying to sleep in a tent in the middle ofthe desert - during the day - just doesn’t bear thinking about; ouch, that heat! But at least her deployment was only for one month and not two. The RAO also managed to steal himself away from his desk and participate in a Hockey Tour with 102 Log Bde to Barbados. To ensure that personnel didn’t think it was a holiday, he took Capt Peter Corcoran with him who vouches, with sincerity, for the hard work that the RAO put in 7 where, we do not know! The postcard assured us that life was hard, playing in 40DC 7 of course, he got lots of sympathy. He has also inspired the Regimental hockey team who are now the Army Champions 7 albeit Germany, and 6 a side 7 but, hey, its a start. Watch this space for the next season’s success. The Christmas festive season is almost upon us with everyone running around preparing to go home on leave for a well-earned break. Hopefully, everyone will return to face the challenges of next year - BATUS! Provost Troop The Troop has seen it’s fair share of changes since the Regiment arrived in Hohne. We said a sad farewell and thank you to Sgt ‘Harry’ Wragg who left for Canada on promotion. LCpl ‘Baggy’ Bagshaw was finally released from the Fallingbostel Detention Centre to be replaced by LCpl ‘Cool Hands’ Davies, who was in turn replaced by LCpl ‘Track Clamp’ Whitworth - who is still there and apparently enjoying himself. Cpl ‘Can I play golf this afternoon?’ Beuttell was replaced by Cpl ‘Can I go fishing this afternoon?’ Brooksbank. LCpl ‘Can I play golf this afternoon too?’ Clement finally left Provost Troop and the Army. He was replaced by LCpl ‘I like golf as well’ Clarke; his contribution as Regimental Fire NCO will be sadly missed by all those he helped get through the Unit Annual Fire Inspection (which was 99% of Regiment). He has been posted to Cyprus. We finally got to welcome LCpl ‘Son of Baz’ Whittaker after tak- ing time out to welcome his new son, Ben, into the world. Well done Nicola! LCpl ‘Ronny’ Baker has joined us on loan from B Sqn prior to his departure from the Army in February 2002. His skills on the computer (and the many training games and edu- cational DVDs) will be sadly missed when he leaves. So that only leaves the new Sheriff, Sgt ‘Baz’ Brignull 7 ‘nuff said!’ Finally, Provost Troop’s departing message comes in two parts: - If you’re leaving the Army and like golf or fishing, or have knack- ered knees, or want a cushy posting 7 Provost Troop is for you. - Offenders of illegally parked and non-BFG’d cars, non-issue green T Shirt wearers and soldiers with SMG magazines for sideburns, Beware, we will get you... eventually! Regimental Aid Post The challenge of building and maintaining a brand new team continued for members of the RAP as the year 2001 commenced. Ex PLUNGER’S CLAW, in January, saw a baptism of fire for LCpl Wright RAMC as he raced around the snowy hills and dense woodland around Cremlingen saving lives, with the RMO, Capt Schmidt, providing valuable navigational expertise. LCpls Meadows and ‘Simmo’ Simmons listened out on the net in amusement, as they held the fort and attended to the sick at the RAP February brought Ex HARD QUORUM and, once again, the team abandoned their roles at the Medical Centre to remind themselves of the need for sound soldiering skills, as they exercised with HQ Sqn and the Echelon. In March the Regimental FTX 7 Ex SWABIAN CRUSADE, although shorter than expected, allowed LCpls Lambert and Dodd (both RAMC) to join the team at the RAP for an Exercise in Bavaria. The Regiment were also joined by a medical section from A Sqn, lCSMR and were able to gain huge training value, provide a formidable RAP tug-of-war team and experiment with interesting ‘thunder flash’ hair designs 7 with leadership quali- ties displayed here by the RMO. The highlight of the year for the medics was certainly Ex SAIF SAREEA 2, in Oman. Cpl Blake RAMC was able to join the team on his first exercise with the Regiment (despite having held the MRS together since January). We were also fortunate enough to borrow LCpl ‘Cod’ a.k.a. ‘Quincy’ Mantle from C Sqn for the exercise. LCpl Dodd managed a sterling job as B Sqn medic, saving and enhancing life in difficult circumstances. In fact, every medic really shone throughout the exercise with cool thinking and level headedness in particularly hot situa- tions. A strong team spirit prevailed along with an essential trust between team members. By End Ex, each medic had proved their medical, leadership and soldiering skills several times over and the RAP was rewarded with the knowledge that every 9/12L and attached member returned safely from Oman. Exercises aside, members of the RAP worked hard throughout the year to keep the Regimental Players on the pitch, to pass the med- ical Staff Support Inspection and to develop the medical awareness and abilities within the Regiment. LCpl Meadows became an advanced signaller and LCpls Dodd and Lambert gained interest- ing experience at Heidelberg Hospital over the summer. Baby Bethany Blake was born to Cpl Blake and Nicola and LCpl Simmons marriedJill. LCpl Matt Wright left the team to go and join the QARANC; we wish him all the best. The RAP looks forward to the challenges it may face in the forth- coming year, with obvious attention focused on BATUS 2002. Gymnasium The year started well with the first major task that LCpl ‘Rocky’ Hudson and myself were to get involved in 7 Exercise PLUNGERS CLAW We were to organise and run a command task stand; not that Rocky knows anything about it, he spent all his time with his head on the dashboard of the Land Rover fast asleep during the whole Exercise. The Regiment was away on Exercise in Bavaria in March, how- ever, due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK, they were told to cease all activities immediately and return to camp. Consequently, we were then given six days notice to organise a sports competition for everyone to participate in. This event |
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