Back to Archive Journals

9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0054

Image details

Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2001
Transcription S4 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S)
1 (UK) Recce Brigade and the Italian Pozzuolo del Friuli
Brigade, ensuring adequate and regular contact and providing
advice to HQ on reconnaissance matters. It should also result in
some fruitful liaison visits.
The Headquarters conducts contingency planning for a range
of scenarios, dealing with crises ofvarying intensity over a wide
geographical area utilising the many disparate capabilities of
the assigned formations. The ARRC remains SACEUR’s
deployable Corps Headquarters of choice and we will be com-
pleting our operational capability assessment next year, which
will set the benchmark to which the other Corps HQ within
Europe hope to aspire.
Highlights over the forthcoming year include the chance to
work with 16 Air Assault Brigade and 1 (UK) Recce Brigade
during their training at Catterick, the NATO staff officers
course in Oberamergau, and a week in Poland. All being well
Exercise ARRCADE FUSION 02 will see elements of the HQ
staff deploy outside Germany
Working in the ARRC offers unique opportunities for interna-
tional travel 7 all from the comfort of your own office. With 17
different nationalities represented in the Headquarters and 10
assigned divisions the international flavour created means you
can experience different national customs, dress and cuisine and
barely move a muscle. Rheindahlen offers an attractive quality of
life with good facilities and communications to the Rhine and the
Mosel Rivers, down to Bavaria and also back to the UK. The
multinational dimension always makes for interesting discus-
sions and parties, and it is the sort of place where national char-
acteristics are accentuated and whenever something is said or
done it is always received with a comment of ‘typically Belgian’,
or ‘how very English’ etc. The wives have a great time and most
can now cook in 14 different languages. English is the lingua
franca in the HQ, but the greatest challenge here is actually for
the native English speakers to speak the language correctly and
without too many incomprehensible metaphors. This is quite
Three W/se Men , Capt Goggs, Bng Rut/edge and Ma/ Bnnett
difficult for the average Englishman who has no concept of gram-
mar or how to apply it. This lack of knowledge can be somewhat
painfiJl and irritating as you find yourself being constantly cor-
rected by the other nationalities who are resolutely determined to
learn the authorised version of the Queen’s English.
The 9/12L contingent here includes Brigadier Rutledge who has
just completed 3 years as ChiefAir. His tenure has seen tremen-
dous change and the bringing to prominence of deep operations,
particularly aviation operations, in the Corps; he moves on to
RCDS. Captain Goggs has been here a year working on Lessons
Learnt, but he is now firmly back in his comfort zone as the G3
Operations Battle Captain. He has not wasted his time here,
managing to feature on ‘ Speed’ with Jeremy Clarkson whilst
completing the Cresta Run in St Moritz, and somehow he hopes
to be released to get married in April 2002.
Overall the ARRC is a fun place to work with a lively and stimu-
lating atmosphere enhanced by the multinational dimension, and
I would recommend it to anyone seeking gainful employment.
DMB
Visit To The 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers
Memorial, Exeter
11 Remembrance Sunday, members of the Regiment based at
Warminster travelled to Exeter Cathedral to lay a wreath at
the 9th Queens Royal Lancers Memorial. This memorial is not as
well known as the one at Canterbury but is far more impressive.
The memorial was erected in memory to those members of the 9th
Lancers who died from wounds or sickness during the Indian
EX LONG LOOK 2001
x LONG LOOK was an unforgettable experience in every
way. Action packed from pillar to post, it hardly seems two
minutes ago that I was having my pockets picked in Singapore
on the outward journey stopover. I shall always admire the gall
of that particular thief. Taking it out ofmy pocket was gutsy but
using it to buy drinks in the same nightclub was spectacular.
For all I know he might have shouted me a couple of rounds
with my own money. I took refilge in the luxury hotel booked
by the RAF Five stars and nothing less.
Mutiny. Exeter was chosen as the sight as the Regiment sailed for
India from Exmouth. The memorial is very beautifill and was cre-
ated by one of Queen Victoria’s favourite sculptors. Any member
of the Regiment passing Exeter Cathedral is encouraged by the
Dean of the Cathedral to have a look. It is located on the left hand
side as you walk in through the main entrance.
AEBS
The Australian Dream
Arriving in Brisbane on the East coast, I was bowled over by
the natural warmth and friendliness of the Australian people.
I also had the chance to meet my counterpart Lt Clint Sears.
He told me excitedly of how he was looking forward to
England. I replied in fits of laughter that he was going to
Northern Germany.
Everyone in Australia is always keen to make you feel at home
and welcome you in the traditional manner. My host unit, 3/4
Title