9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0016
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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16 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) you he did receive lots of TLC (not). Unfortunately the exercise was brought to a sharp halt due to the foot and mouth epi- demic, and we lost valuable training time but we still had Ex SAIF SAREEA 2 to contend with, or was it to look forward to? On the return to Hohne we then prepared for yet another gun- nery camp, trying to juggle between 30mm training and GW training. The Troop has three of the finest instructors within it, well I think so! Both firing sessions went well with Sgt Hannabuss giving his rendition of ‘Tim nice but dim’ in the back of the Unimog, nice totty aye. Over this period, the troop was now focusing on Oman, as it wasn't too far away, with a lush four weeks leave to look forward to. Once in the Oman we had Tpr ‘Foz’ Foster join us from C Sqn and Tpr Meehan now a LCpl (well done) both recently complet- ing a tour in Kosovo. As well as these two fellows we had Tpr Simpson in the troop, this was to be his first exercise and one he will never forget. Cpl Whitehead didn't come out to Oman as he had other things on his mind, so he worked in the Training wing sorting out the AGS or was he just sorting out his career? What has the Oman got to offer besides the heat, sand storms, dust devils, sand, sand and more sand? Training and sand with lots and lots of water to drink, that's what. The joy we had getting to grips with all of this but yes, we did, and so onward, we marched to train a Brigade to CP level 5. The job for A Sqn was that ofOPFOR once again, it wasn't quite like Canada, which was a great shame, but who needs beer when you have 7 litres of water to drink a day. Get to sleep at 8 o'clock wake up at 10pm and 2am to empty your bladder every night what fun we had. The troop also had the task as well as the rest of the Sqn to dig our desert roses and other nice things like that. Some of the Troop didn't get too much time training, as they were plagued with vehicle problems, such Cpl Whawell and his crew because he was in the FMA most of the time. Followed closely by Cpl Roberts, c/s 34 only managed 2 weeks on the road then it was like going to Halfords for your spares. It wasn't long before all that was left was an empty shell. Will it ever get back on the road? When for once the troop was working together on one particu- lar day two wagons got bogged (34A and 34B). We were so effec- tive that day. Now we are back in Hohne with rusty wagons and Christmas upon us, and firing camp on the horizon there is so much to be sorted out and ever get done. Will it ever get better? Of course, it will that's what we’re told every year. But still, Canada will be upon us soon, back out on the prairie again as they say no pride on the prairie. I wonder is that the same for the bin! SHQ Troop The year has dominated by musical chairs in nearly all appoint- ments: that seems to be the way these days. The SSM was one of the first to leave, as he moved across the parade square to take up residency as the RSM. Mr Price was all too busy in Command Troop to take over straight away so the Sqn was guid- ed by Sgt Spring, on all matters SSM. Sgt Rae moved onto 2 Tp and Sgt Clarke moved into the seat just long enough to have a great motorbike ride in the desert, and then off on promotion to the Training Wing. Sgt Heap seemed to be the constant in an ever changing world, but even he could not hack the pressure and a posting to Scotland, admittedly on promotion. The troop leader seemed to change almost daily, from Captain C-B to Captain Croft and then ended up with the regularly naked Captain Craggs. LCpl Franks and Tpr Marples headed off on high adventure with C Sqn in Kosovo, while LCpl Smith decided that Tpr Hird's coffee wasn't up to scratch and headed off to Bramcote for a few months. Cpl 'Taff’ Brooksbank finally made the break from the Sqn and was off to Provo, and if he gets his way he'll be back very soon. SHQ spent its year doing what it does, with gunnery camp and a much shortened Regt FTX. The main effort was Ex SAIF SAREEA, but here SHQ was a very slim beast, with a num- ber ofroles in the early stages of the Ex. By the end though SHQ did look vaguely as it should do, and those in the Troop did get some good training, admittedly the troop did have to put up with a naked ZIC and SSM, but it was very hot. Now the troop is back in Germany and most of Oman has been removed from the vehicles, the troop has two new Sgts in White and Fleetwood, who have joined the troop in the quiet time of gunnery camp and Canada next year. The troop will have a well earned rest over Christmas, as all have worked exceptionally hard over the last year, a very well done to all. Admin Troop The past year has been an extremely busy year for A Sqn's Admin troop. Cpl Fox joined the troop in January after doing a two-month tour attached to 612 TACP (Royal Marines) in Kosovo. The year started as they always do with people wanting exercises or other events organised at the drop of a hat & SSgt Des Henderson & his "boys" always managed to get the jobs done & always with a smile on their faces as well. The first proper exercise of the year was the Regimental exercise down in Bavaria, Foxy was sent to lst Troop and the rest of the troop worked hard, although they all came down with food poi- soning except LCpl Rob Hill (some people speculated that it must be his wife's cooking that gave him the cast iron stomach) only joking Val!!! Tprs Sandy Sandham and Kinnaird have been ”Q's" little gofers especially on the brew making front as without fail every morn- ing there was a fresh brew on Des' table otherwise he would be in a foul mood for the rest of the day. The troop worked hard during the Regimental-firing period both for the GW ranges and also for the remainder of the squadron on their 30mm range package, hot bratties were always on the go come rain or shine. After summer leave, we all looked forward to deploying on exer- cise in Oman on Ex SAIF SAREEA 2. Cpl Fox and LCpl Hill having both recently passed their C+ E tests were tasked to drive the caravan (sorry, the Bedford). While in Oman there were times when we all worked hard in one form or another. LCpl Hill was the ”TENT KING” whenever a tent was needed to be erected, he was there to make sure that the job was done properly. The two 'ADONIS’s’ were working hard at on their tans, Sandy was often heard to say "I’m still white ain't I ?” while Des was improving on his tan from his recent holiday. Meanwhile Foxy was credited with killing a Bedford although it was on its last legs. The entire troop had a fun time out in the desert what with sun- bathing and the like. Back in Germany, we are all looking for- ward to a well-earned Christmas leave and then onto next year, as Canada looms ever closer. Oh no, not more sunshine!!! |
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