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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
The way we always start... “2 years in post, I genuinely cannot believe how fast the time has gone!”. I have certainly settled in and got to know some of the unique ways The Household Division do their business and with Ceremonial Operations being at the forefront of everything they do.
The King’s Coronation will need no introduction. I stuck my name forward to help out and ended up being 2nd in Command of the Inload and Outload of Ceremonial Troops by Rail into London Waterloo Train Station. Working closely with the Police, British Rail and civilian companies, we welcomed 5,750 marching troops from the Army, Navy, RAF and Commonwealth. This was interesting to say the least, particularly during the outload where the Station was absolutely heaving, but we got the job done with no issues and to see the Corps Marching Contingent brightened up my day, amazing!
With the eyes of the world on the Household Division again, the 2023 Trooping the Colour was held on 17 June 2023. Over 1,500 soldiers, 300 horses, and 400 musicians took part in the ceremony, the first to be held during King Charles III’s reign, and for his first Official Birthday, and as always, The Household Division delivered. I was fortunate to get my daughter’s football team up to Horse Guards for one of the rehearsals, what an amazing experience for the team, some of whom had not even been to London before and they even caught a glimpse of the King leaving Buckingham Palace!
A friend, who I previously served with during my Infantry days, received some devastating news. His daughter, who was only 7 at the time, had a brain tumour. Not surprisingly, everyone started pulling together to raise funds required
WO1 Farrugia’s Daughter’s Football Team at Buckingham Palace
Mike Mumford – SO2 PD
for treatment that was only available overseas - it was incredible to see. We just had to get involved and do something to help. So off I went, 6 x marathons in under 48hrs was the challenge, running from my family home in Colchester to Harlow and back – twice! The normal support crew assembled; my wife Kirsty and 2 of my daughters Maisie and Dolcie. Jasmine did manage to start treatment overseas but, sadly Jasmine lost her battle. I have never seen anyone so positive and brave in my whole life and she really lived up to her name “The Warrior Princess” and made a huge impact on so many in such a short time “RIP Jasmine”.
Our team of LONDIST RAPTCIs is close knit and it has been inspiring to see them pulling together and none more so when everyone came to support SSgt Chris Grose, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards RAPTCI. Chris did a workout on the hour every hour for 24hrs to raise money for a hospital close to his heart and who have supported his little girl, Hallie. Chris
Charlie Peacock – SO3 AT
was supported by SSgt Laura Barrigan who joined in with workouts as well as providing some much-needed sports massage, SSgt Nathan Lockey, myself and SO2 Mike Mumford also on hand to join in with some workouts and keep his morale up. Teamwork at its best, which helped Chris smash it out of the park whilst raising over £4,500 along the way.
Despite more cost cutting measures we have kicked on our LONDIST and 16X sports programme which incorporated an even bigger and better “GOC’s Cup Competition” which included 9 sporting events held between Sep 23 and Mar 24. There were some fierce battles and the events hosted by our RAPTCIs were among some of the best events I have witnessed, outstanding.
It truly is an absolute honour to work in such an outstanding organisation, our LONDIST Team within HQ and our RAPTCIs within our units are top drawer and I look forward to what comes next...
WO1 Farrugia and support crew during the 6 x back-to-back marathons
HEADQUARTERS LONDON DISTRICT
WO1 (SMI) D Farrugia RAPTC
SSgt Chris Grose after his final event, the Infantry 2-Miler with his Brother