Page 25 - Four Cavalry Regiments (Crest)

52 EAGLE AND CARBINE
THE CORPORALS’ MESS
Corporal D McAinsh
2020 dawned for the Corporals’ Mess with no lit- tle excitement and focus following a well-deserved Christmas leave period, with the Mess looking forward to the training year ahead. With C Squadron wintering in Poland on deployment as part of Operation CABRIT, those Mess Members in Leuchars set their sights on the first function of the year, Burns Night.
For those chosen to take part, whether reciting a poem or adding their dulcet tones to the choir, the hard work of memorising and rehearsing started right away and in earnest. With the date set for Friday 24th January and fast approaching, Cpl Kempton (President of the Mess Committee) and Cpl Bell (President of the Entertainment Committee), in conjunction with the remainder of the Mess Committee, set to work on organising what proved to be an excellent night. With Cpl Jones delivering the unenviable challenge of the ‘Immortal Memory’, the night was off to a flying start. Poems followed in quick succession; LCpl McLeod (Selkirk Grace), Cpl Chinsen (Address to the Toothache), Cpl Dow (Now spring has clad the grove in green) and Cpl Graham (the Highland Lassie) delivering their pieces with aplomb. Their efforts, combined with the food and general convivial ambience, made for a most enjoyable evening, testa- ment to the hard work from not only the Committee but the hours of practice from those who entertained Mess Members and their guests in attendance.
Regimental ranges in Warcop followed shortly after- wards; as ever, the Regiment went about its business with customary professionalism, with some newly qual- ified junior NCOs given the opportunity to put their qualifications in to practice on live ranges. This made for a particularly rewarding training programme with junior ranks passing on their knowledge and experi- ence to some of the newer Troopers taking part in their first range package. This activity was conducted in the shadow of a growing realisation that coronvirus was to have a significant impact on our lives in the very near future. Nonetheless, all training serials were conducted, before returning to Leuchars and the advent of a new epoch.
A period of ‘dispersion’ for all ranks, including the Corporals’ Mess Members, followed. After a handful of weeks, many of us were back to work to form Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) to deliver Covid testing through- out Scotland. Once more, the Regiment went pedal to the floor in ensuring personnel where properly trained and aware of the job at hand, and understood the sensi-
tivities that went with it. Whilst the physical Corporals’ Mess was sealed during this period, meetings and dis- cussions were held through conference calls and chat groups to consider future Mess activities.
As our mobile testing commitments ended, a return to work followed, complete with social distancing, hand sanitising stations and face masks galore. The Regiment put into place a robust plan to ensure a safe workplace for all soldiers, with one-way systems and floor mark- ings at seemingly every corner. The use of technology was used more than ever, with conference calls and les- sons over web calls the norm allowing soldiers to stay connected and learn in a safe environment.
The return to work in Leuchars was brief as we deployed to Dumfries and Galloway in early September for field training and live firing as we collectively endeavoured to make up for lost time. Sadly, the Corporals’ Mess has remained closed and in a poor state of repair following a burst pipe – plans are developing to ensure the Mess can reopen in a suitable fashion when restrictions permit. The year ended in a suitably unorthodox fashion with the Christmas Draw conducted via a Zoom call from the A Squadron Conference Room, presented by Cpl Bell in his capacity as President of the Entertainments Committee – a fitting end to the most unusual of years.
As ever, there have been a number of promotions dur- ing the year, testament to hard work and endeavour; our best wishes and thanks to those leaving the Mess, the example to the more junior Mess Members has been invaluable.
The following have departed the Mess on promotion: Sgt Kempton; Sgt Williams; Sgt Gilchrist (assigned to SNIY); Sgts Black and McInnes (both assigned to the Gunnery School, Lulworth); and Sgt Kenrick (assigned to the Driving and Maintenance School, Bovington).
Promotion to corporal: Cpl Cairns; Cpl Megahy; Cpl Grimes; Cpl McAinsh; Cpl McClymont; and Cpl Wilson 35.
The latest crop of Mess Members: LCpl Clark; LCpl Duff; LCpl Giles; LCpl Johnston; LCpl King; LCpl Logie; LCpl MacKay; LCpl McCarthy; LCpl McCreadie; LCpl McGregor; LCpl Morrison; LCpl Poole; LCpl Watkinson; and LCpl Wilson 50.