9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0064
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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64 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 1y confined to visiting the outstations and trying to office- train 2 small dogs. The QOY works 4 drill nights and 2 training weekends a month, and a 2 week camp once a year. Included in this is the necessity to pass relevant ITDs, continue trade training, train recruits, maintain an even more aged CVR fleet, handle local civic functions and party hard at the end of training. Training, while I was there, included Scotland (in support of 16 AAB and later 51 Bde), gunnery at Castlemartin, a visit to Hohne, FIBUA, training at Otterburn and numerous Squadron exer- cises on private land. No mention of a job with the Yeomanry could be complete without mention of the people from the area you live in. Northumberland is without doubt one of the most glorious places I have had the good fortune to live in. The QOY and especially D (Northumberland Hussar) Squadron are held in high regard in and around Newcastle. Sgt Keeble - Ironman! unday 8th July 2001 was the day that Sgt Keeble found himself finally achieving a long time goal of completing his first Ironman Triathlon. His aim, in addition to personal achievement, was to raise money and awareness for the NSPCC (National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children). Steven Keeble, his wife Debbie and their 3 boys arrived at Roth, Southern Germany, a few days before the competition began intending to relax and mentally prepare for what was ahead. This proved to be a little difficult as nerves were running high with the realisation of what was to come. ThankfiJlly, Sgt Keeble met up with 6 other competitors from the Army Triathlon Association who, due to their experience in these competitions, became a calm- ing influence and proved to be a great support. One the actual day, the build up to the start commenced at 0400 hrs. Before long, the local camp site and roads were heaving with the 2,700 competitors plus many supporters. At 0600 hrs, the European Ironman Competition 2001 was under way. Competitors were set off in groups of 200; Sgt Keeble’s race began an hour later with the 3.8 km swim along a shipping canal. Upon completing the swim, he clambered out of the canal and sprinted to the transition tent. He quickly changed out of his wetsuit and into dry clothing before climbing onto his bike for the 180km cycle phase. On the way around the cycle route, Debbie and the Military Assistant 2 to General Staff I have been serving as one of CGS's two Military Assistants since my graduation from the Staff College in Summer 2000. I work in CGS's Private Office in the Old War Office, providing the General with staff officer support. It has been a fascinating and thoroughly enjoy- able 18 months, although operating at the military strategic level is not soldiering in its purest sense! The job involves a lot of office work and programming, writing speeches and corresponding on the CGS's behalf. There is also a fair amount of travel - to operational theatres (Northern Ireland, Everybody I met through the QOY went out of his or her way to make Lucy and myself very welcome. Shooting, fishing (and hunting if that’s your bent) was plentiful and being Adjutant QOY means I had to often accept days out. There is also the added attraction of remaining static for two years and Newcastle, I now believe, has a lot more to offer than any other city in the UK. I cannot recommend the job highly enough; I have made life long friends in a part of the country that one day I hope will become home. The Yeomanry are an interesting organisation to work for and, although there are frustrations, they are com- pletely offset by working with people of this calibre. In short I have had a ‘canny two years oop north; if your offered it, divvn’t turn it down pet’ TR} boys could be seen waving banners and shouting words of encour- agement. This was a significant source of strength; particularly when the weather took a turn for the worse. Wind and rain lashed him on the last lap which made the finish line a sight for sore eyes (and legs and arms and back and posterior). As he dismounted his cycle, his wife asked how he was. “Just a little cramp but it’s okay, there’s only a marathon to go,” was the reply So, after changing clothes yet again, the marathon began and went on, and on, and on... After 12 hours and 40mins, the pain really started to set in. Fortunately, at this point, Sgt Keeble met up with two of his new found friends - Mick Boyle and Andy Baird. All three completed the last 10km together. For Sgt Keeble, entering the Stadium and crossing the finish line was an amazing emotional and satisfying experience. The knowl- edge that, through sponsorship in Germany and the UK, he had raised over £1,700 for the NSPCC made it all worthwhile. The money was raised by donations from the Regiment and other Units in Germany. A short time later, Sgt Keeble also had the pleasure of reading about a UK a schoolgirl who, upon seeing his article in his local newspaper, shaved her head to raise more money for this important organisation. July 8th 2001 will be a day that Ironman, Sgt Keeble will never forget. the Chief of the Kosovo, Macedonia and Sierra Leone this year), around the Army, to exercises including Exercise SAIF SAREEA 2, and on repre- sentational visits to other countries - South Africa in June being the highlight. The Ministry of Defence represents a unique professional experi- ence, in my view undertaken at least once, but only twice or more if you develop a particular taste for it! London is fast-paced and rather less welcoming than Regimental life, and despite the enjoyments of the passed three years, a homecoming will be very welcome. T PR |
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