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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1984 - Page 0022

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 1984
Transcription THE 9THHETH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL
Lt 'Rommel' Stafford left us for a six
rnonltts tour in the Falklands.
The return to Hohne saw the
Squadron begin to split up in
preparation for the formation of the
new D Squadron. SSM Todd departed
on posting to Brunei and SHO lost
LCpI Richardson to 2nd Troop and
LCpI McGann to SHO D Squadron. Lt
Stafford jumped on a plane for a 6
month tour studying the Falkland
penguins. Preparations began for
Christmas and the move to
Wolfertbtittel. All the troops were
disbanded ready for reorganization,
never again to work with their Battle-
Groups. Although the return to normal
Squadron life is welcomed by most,
there are many memorable and happy
times not to be forgotten.
The Squadron ‘BLUEMOBILE' on a Mission ..
Post Restructure Period
{Jan ~ May 841
A reorganized B Squadron started to
form in Wolfenb'uttel hem January
onwards under the command of Major
Burgess, recently returned from a UK
Staff job. Captain Routledge as 21C, a
newly promoted SSM Gardner and
SQMS Hayter fresh from a 2 year
posting at MVEE Kirkcudbright. B
Squadron is now a standard Medium
Reconnaissance Squadron consisting
of an SHO lwith CVRlT} Sultan
command vehiclesl, Three
reconnaissance troops {each of 4
CVRiT} Scimitarsi, a support troop
{with 4 CVRlT} Spartans}. A GW
troop lwith 4 CVRlTl Strikers
mounting Swingfire LRATGW), an
administrative troop and an LAD
REME fitter section.
Unfortunately, clue to manning
shortages in the Regiment, our
support troop is not fully crewed at
present, The 3 Medium
reconnaissance troops are
commanded by 2 Lts Hercock, Bailey
and Sgt Palfreyman respectively,
whilst (3W troop is commanded by Lt
C E A Cooke.
It is interesling to note that, in a
Regiment dominated by university
educated subalterns, the only person
in B Squadron who can boast a degree
is SSM Gardner!
We had hardly settled into
Wolfenbiittel when the Regiment
deployed on Exercise Fresh Start, a
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Troop Training exercise in the local
area. The weather was atrocious but
the exercise afforded us the
opportunity to shake down in our new
organization and rote. We had an early
chance to show our colours during
Troop Tests. This was the first time
since Detntold that all the Squadrons
could compete evenly in a Regimental
Test with identical reconnaissance
troops. Because of their different
equipment and tasks, the GW troops
took part in a separate competition
during the tactical phase. It was a
tremendous morale booster to
discover our tinat overall positions in
the Test to be;
Becca Test
lst — 3rd To B 8th {Sgt Palfreyrnani
3rd — lst Tp B Son tLt Hercockl
5th — 2nd To [3 Sort lLt Baileyl
GW Test
151 — ElGWl To B Sqn {Lt Cookel
We have, therefore, put the new B
Squadron firmly on the map, proving
first that we have made a quick and
successful transition from Close to
Medium Reconnaissance and second
that you don't need a university
degree to win troop tests!
The major change resulting from
this reorganization is the formation of
GW troop. Any new organization [8
bound to suffer with teething
In.
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