9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2003 - Page 0034
Image details
| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Transcription |
32 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) Just prior to Easter, the out going MTWO, WOZ Dave Baghurst handed over the running of MT to SSgt Harry Wragg. Dave then got himself sent to Green hills to look after the Op FRES- CO vehicles, due to Cpl Frank Skinner having a crack at being a crash test dummy. This then led onto a nice little posting in Bovington for his last six months. MT would like to wish the best of luck for the future for Dave, Dawn and the family. In May, MT carried on getting its’ vehicles sorted out to support the Regimental Annual Firing. We also had a personnel influx after it was decided to centralise MT. In from A Sqn we had Tpr’s Phil Brown and Tim Posey, and from C Sqn Tpr’s Webby Webster, Pete Wilson and Luffers Loughman. On the outgoing side, we lost the Troop Sgt and Servicing NCO to C Sqn, Sgt Andy Joynson and the Crash Test Dummy. LCpl Harry Harrison went to Bovington to train some of our new drivers to drive our HGV’s. Tpr Dinger Bell whilst there found his attempt to swim the channel interrupted by the arrival of the Weymouth Life Boat. There is some truth in the rumour that Green Peace pushed him in. Harry also got some practice in on how to fill out FMT 3 accident report forms. During Ex Summer Charge, MT found itselfproviding a lot of support to the Squadrons due to a lack of qualifications in the brand new members of the Troop, but this was rectified before Op TELIC 3 deployment through a lot ofwheeling and dealing and hard work by the newly promoted MTWO. Tpr Dougie Hird was posted to the Regimental Information Team as the DROPS driver just prior to the August stand down, and the Squadrons re-called their personnel in as it was announced that both A and C Squadrons would be deploying to the Gulf. We also lost the MTO, Captain Denton, to C Squadron, and Cpl Brummy Robbo to Command Troop. Tpr Jay Herbert went to A Squadron as the UBRE Commander, and LCpl Dave Bloom to C Squadron as their UBRE Commander. In came LCpl Tommo Thomas to replace Brummy as the Fuel and Lubes accountant, and Sgt Colin Whitehead took over as Troop Sgt. Tpr Richie Campsall got sent to Bosnia to replace Tpr Stumpy Cholerton who had decided he had had enough of Bosnia, and wanted to go to Iraq instead. Those of us that were lucky enough not to get hammered for duties over the stand down jet- ted off to exotic places, leaving the rest the pleasure of looking after BFPO 30. It was during the stand down that Colin rang me with the sad news of the passing away of his wife, Nicki. All of MT, and all of the Regiment send their deepest condolences to Colin, Charlie and Conner. In September, Tpr Danny Murrell, Tpr Dinger Bell and Tpr Webby Webster were put into Command Troop for their sins as their expert driving advice was eagerly sought. Thankfully for Webby, there isn’t much snow and ice out in Iraq, but I’ll keep the skid car under wraps for his return next April. Oh, and make sure as well Dinger doesn’t go near the sea. Fresh back from Op TELIC was LCpl Mac McDonald, who thrills us all with his tales of high adventure. Also back was Tpr Stumpy Cholerton from Bosnia, who changed his green kit for desert kit and got himself posted to C Squadron. LCpl Chippy Reast arrived at MT also, prior to him being promoted to a fully- fledged MT Trooper. Yet again after stand down we found our- selves giving the Squadrons the support that they needed for their last bit of Op TELIC 3 training. Once they had all jetted off to the sandyplace, MT got themselves focused on the up and coming Equipment Care Inspection and Logistic Support Inspection. Hopefully we will do all right in these and that some of us will have a job at the end of it. It is hard to imagine what the next year will holdbut if it is anything like the last one, then you will need a good set of running shoes, oh, and I know the exact length of a piece of string. DW 9/12 Medics During the past twelve months the medics for 9/12L were very rarely seen in the medical centre. The frantic pace of life has even reached the sleepy world of the MRS. This was due to Cpl Knighton arriving in Jan 03 and then going straight ofto Bosnia with B Squadron on Op OCULUS. Cpls Dodd and Blake both went awaywith the regiment on Op FRESCO, to patch all those burns and nasty bruises. Even the Medical Officer Capt Pope went away with the Scot’s Dragoon Guards to Iraq where he ran the RAP. Also during this period we said Goodbye to Cpl John Blake who was posted to sunny Cyprus and Cpl Joe Cahill posted in to the Regiment from good old blighty. The crew has as yet not been together all at once so far so there should be some catching up in June. Cpl Dodd and Cpl Knighton were both inexplicably promoted to Cpl in Sept. Capt Pope was put on a reshow in Iraq and along with Cpl’s Dodd and Cahill are now sunning themselves in Basra. Cpl Knighton is trying to keep the medical centre run- ning smoothly whilst still fitting in her last four weeks of leave Are you sure you’re a doctor? HQ SQMS The year started with the Regimental Board of Officers, and the departure of Cpl Simpson and subsequent arrival of Cpl (has been) Fleetwood, and LCpl (there’s a funny smell) Hale, com- monly known as the “chuckle brothers”. The Board of Officers went well and we settled back into the normal routine of HQ Sqn life, the speed bump Sqn. Shortly after their arrival Cpl Fleetwood and LCpl Hale adopt- ed a completely new approach to accounting, in that there is no need for paper work lets just do it on a trust basis. Before we knew it we were deployed on OP Fresco to Sheffield. The Troop then split with Cpl Fleetwood staying in Germany to give away the rest of my account, whilst LCpl Hale moved to work with A Sqn, as a green Goddess Driver and is rumoured to have broken the land speed record in a green goddess by allegedly getting caught by a speed camera. On return the Troop then deployed on the Regimental firing camp taking the coveted prize for being the best and cheapest SQMS, supplying the lads with a plethora of appetising bites and entertainment. Shortly after gunnery camp, we then deployed on CATT and CAST in Sennelager. It was on the return from this that the department set about the revamping of the Sqn bar, turning it into the cultural centre of the regiment. |
| Title |