Page 51 - Journal Compilation

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Padre’s Corner
Iwas posted in as Chaplain
to The Light Dragoons in
August of last year from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, succeeding Padre Wilson who was posted out to the Grenadier Guards. Having served as a cler- gyman in Barnsley during the miners’ strike it is good to be back again in God’s own country and amongst some of the lads from Barnsley and the Peoples’ Republic of South Yorkshire, not for- getting those from the North East and other parts as well!
I arrived in Catterick time to enjoy the hospitality of the Mess and for the start of The Light Dragoons’ 300 celebrations with a Ladies’ Dinner Night and a service at Catterick Garrison Memorial Church. Celebrating 300 years of service to Queen and Country through an illustrious tradition of antecedent regiments is something to be very proud of. Knowing where we come from is essential to help chart where we are going in the future. It was Winston Churchill who said that the more we can look back, the further we can look forward. Looking back over three hundred years of service means that The Light Dragoons can look forward to living out those high ideals and devoted service in the future – whatever the future might hold for us as a Regiment. Ministering and sharing in this rich and living tradition is a great pleasure. Consolidating and building up our life together as a Regimental family in Catterick offers many positive opportunities to live out our traditions and develop our ethos. With roots in the North and exemplary traditions of service, I look forward both to this year of celebration and to serving with the Regiment in the years to come.
PF
Regimental Welfare Of ce
The world of welfare during 2015 has been very busy and dominated by the move from Robertson Barracks to Catterick Garrison. Overall the move for the families ran rela- tively smoothly with very little disruption. The married quar- ters in Catterick are in some cases of a better standard, but we were spoilt in Robertson Barracks with the quarter charges, but most families have now settled in and are enjoying themselves in Catterick.
The Welfare Of ce in Catterick is a far cry from the facilities that we had in Swanton Morley, however work is due to start in March 2016 on a communal area and kitchen for the fami- lies and Wives’ Club coffee mornings. Welfare facilities are a lot different from what we were used to, but there is more for the children to do in Catterick and something is always laid on by the Army Welfare Service, especially during stand down periods.
More recently we have said goodbye to Sgt Rix, who has done sterling work during his time in welfare and has moved on to MT. Sgt Haddock took over the mantle as the Welfare SNCO and is providing a very valuable service.
As the Regiment started to settle in to life in Catterick, a very successful Halloween party was held which was organised by Sgt Haddock, as the UWO was getting educated at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (wonders never cease); every- one who attended stated it was a fantastic event. The annual Children’s Christmas party also took place and was an even
better success than the Halloween party and no, Sgt Haddock was not Father Christmas due to his portly gure.
The Regimental Wives’ Club has been particularly busy rais- ing money for charities since arriving in Catterick. They have organised coffee mornings for the soldiers with lots of home cooked cakes and biscuits which have gone down very well. Their most challenging activity will take place on 16 April when 30 ladies will jump from 13,000ft in a charity tandem skydive to raise £10,500 for the Army Benevolent Fund, a char- ity very close to the Regiment’s heart.
It looks as if The Light Dragoons will have a very busy and challenging time in 2016, but we will enjoy everything that is
thrown at us and take it in our stride.
GLC
25
Tercentenary Grace
We gather this night, under our heavenly Father’s sight, To celebrate our great history, and ponder on its mystery
For our formation we have two monarchs to thank King James and King George
For one saw it t to grasp the crown of the other
Thus the 13th, Munden’s Dragoons, were raised for a canter
Since then we have travelled the world serving the realm
With great men like Munden, Rutherford-Jones and Senior at the helm
We’ve weathered the hills of Scotland The plains of Canada
The mountains of Afghanistan The veldt of South Africa
The deserts of Arabia The jungles of Malaya
The monsoons of India The beaches of Normandy
And now we settle here, in God’s own favourite country!
The maths says it all: 300 years – 4 regiments into one
A 13th and an 18th a 15th and a 19th
Like years of good wine now re ned to the best
On a night like this who needs to say anything about the rest?
Amen