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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2003 - Page 0025

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2003
Transcription REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) Z3
Op TELIC I & III and OP FRESCO. Unfortunately, we were
stood down for TELIC I and so the manic period of training
after Christmas leave saw the Troop deploy only on a very cold
OPFOR exercise instead for the Battle groups who were going.
This year has seen a very large change in the orbat, including
three changes in Troop Sergeant with Sgt Whitehead departing
for B Sqn, followed swiftly by Sgt Spring to B Sqn as well, and
finally Sgt Pagett moving from 2 Tp to take over as Tp Sgt for
deployment on Telic III! Cpl Mckay moved down to the
Gunnery School in Lulworth. Thus it was a complete change in
the Tp Orbat, with ZLt Panter taking over as Tp Leader. The
core of the Tp remained with fast learning and hard working
Troopers of Peters, Galsworthy, Harrison, and Merryweather all
continuing to make good progress and excel. Added to this has
been the experience of Cpl Whitworth and LCpl Allen from Sp
Tp, and LCpl Byrd with his knowledge of sailing and power
boating after his early return from Kiel, much to his disap-
pointment! The Tp would not be complete without senior
Troopers Russell and Champkins, whose experience and sense of
humour have provided a guiding light for new boy Tpr
Newbold!
Over the year the Tp have seen vehicles come and go, meaning
a lot of hard graft on the vehicle park as we have had to prepare
for Squadron and Regimental Exercises. The Tp deployed as
part of OP FRESCO and although not as a Tp the training was
a welcome change from the vehicle park. The Tp has continued
to perform well and it has now started to train for the imminent
deployment on TELIC III.
The Tp is going from strength to strength as it works together
more and more, it is now looking forward to the upcoming
Operational Tour which is thoroughly deserved after a hard year
of disappointment and uncertainty.
A77
2 Troop
With all the build up on the news over Christmas it was no sur-
prise that after the New Year the Squadron as a whole began
preparations for imminent departure for sandy places. A month
later it was suddenly clear that the only sandy places we would
see would be the bottom end of a range, perhaps. This knock
back aside 2 Troop gallantly strode on to face whatever danger
fate would throw at us without trepidation. Thus come March
everyone was jolly excited to be driving round in Fire Engines
built around the same time as the Coronation! Not only did we
have sirens and flashing lights but we were going to Sheffield.
As it happens the Fire Brigade chose not to strike so the high-
light of the Operation turned out to be the Rotterdam- Hull
Ferry, but what a night. Those Cabaret girls have never had so
much support and adoration.
April saw the Squadron on Exercise as properly formed Troops
for the first time in almost two years. We were more than happy
to welcome Sgt Bithell as stand in Troop Sergeant, especially as
in a masterstroke he was able to conjure up a flat, with shower
and complimentary breakfast halfway through the exercise. You
can keep you barns thank you! After some well deserved leave
the Troop deployed to Hohne Ranges for the Regimental
Gunnery Camp. With Sgt Pagett as the new Troop Sergeant and
Squadron Gunnery Instructor it was no surprise that he walked
The sun a/ways 8/7/1798 on CVFNT)
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