Page 11 - Journal Compilation

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS 13
Tercentenary Celebrations for the 9th (Wynne’s) and 12th (Bowles’s) Dragoons
The tercentenary of two regiments that had formed only one of The Royal Lancers’ antecedent regiments was, perhaps, not the ideal event to have to celebrate immediately after the amalgamation. It was, however, absolutely the right thing to do – so much glorious history cannot simply be ignored – and, as it proved, easy enough to deliver in a wholly inclusive manner. Which is to précis the conversation I had with the Commanding Of cer early in 2015 when he asked me to run the tercentenary celebrations for the 9th and 12th. Personally I counted it an honour, even if – to misquote Napoleon – after the weather we had enjoyed at the amalgamation, while I longed for sun I had to spend much of my time preparing for rain.
I was lucky enough, at that time, to have a ‘spare’ of cer in Captain Chris Guest and I of course asked him to help me plan the weekend. I must pay tribute to him now: frankly, the event
could hardly have taken place without his tireless efforts in sup- port, which is a fancy way of saying he did all the hard work. The concept for the weekend was that it should be enjoyable, relaxed and family-friendly while paying due regard to the memories of the 9th and 12th as well as commemorating the other antecedent regiments. At this stage I must also thank the trustees of the Regimental Association, without whose considerable generosity we could hardly have put on such a show. One of the trustees, Colonel (Retd) Richard Charrington, was even kind enough to come and deliver a wonderful lecture on regimental history, which formed the ideal start to the weekend. On exiting the Fondouk Rooms after Colonel Richard’s lecture I found that, unlike James Rickett, I had been lucky because the sun was shin- ing brightly, which it continued to do for the rest of the day. By the time the rain came on, we were all safely inside the largest marquee in history, enjoying the Master Chef ’s delicious dinner
B Squadron hot on the heels of C Squadron
CofR and Tpr Williams-Tanton, the Victor Ludorum
B Squadron,
victors in the Babington Shield