Page 73 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

HQ (Eagle) Company
Lt Luke Boxall
Recruiting, retention, Ex IRON WOLF
and UK Resilience have been the themes for HQ Coy in 2022. Since easing covid restrictions, we have been able to focus
on company growth in all three of our Army Reserve Centres (ARCs) locations. Worcester ARC being a big focus for the coy as it continues to grow in number of regular attenders. This has been achieved by ensuring that a stable and constant chain of command presence is maintained, led by CSgt ‘Pez’ Perryman with the support of LCpl Richard Vernon.
This year, all of our training has been heavily focused on basic infantry skills and the transition from MATTs to ITR. In the
first six months of the year, this allowed
all troops to be ready to participate on EX IRON WOLF in Lithuania. HQ Coy was able to deploy several troops
in various roles and
capabilities including
a Pl Comd and
riflemen, an Anti-Tank
Detachment, drivers,
signallers, G4 personnel
and observer/mentors.
high readiness and deployable for UK resilience operations in as little as 12hrs.
This saw volunteers and administrative staff working together to ensure individual training, medical requirements and personal equipment were all at the required levels and that employer’s support was gained. Although
thankfully no real time flooding event took place that required a call out, troops were mobilised on a test exercise and a
weekend of training based on UK Resilience operations ground familiarisation took place.
We bid a fond farewell to CSgt Hall who has completed a successful tour
of duty as PSI in Kidderminster. A very popular SNCO, we wish him luck in his new post at Catterick. We also welcome back a familiar face to Kidderminster in CSgt Williams who, having previously held the position, seamlessly resumes
the Anti-Tank PSI role bringing with him
a wealth of experience. WO2 Castledine has also joined our Headquarters as SPSI in Wolverhampton ARC and manages our Bowman and CIS capability among many other responsibilities.
The second part of
this year has seen us
focus on a pilot Army
Reserve UK Standby Battalion task. This has been a great opportunity for members of HQ Coy to ensure they are held at
This year, all of our training has been heavily focused on basic infantry skills and the transition from MATTs to ITR
QM’s Department
The start of 2022 was, as always, a
busy one with the department finalising preparation for the upcoming Ex IRON WOLF in Lithuania in May, with the whole department working flat out preparing stores and vehicles to facilitate the exercise. WO2 Jase Warburton ensured that all driver training required for deploying a road party was completed
in a timely manner, which proved to be
a bigger task than initially thought with the attached Royal Signals detachment coming from all over the country.
Since the last edition of the Mercian Eagle, we have had a change of Quartermaster from Maj Pete Lewis to Maj Tony Mason, QM(R) from Maj Brian Johnston to Maj Joe Lee and RQMS(R) from WO2 Kev Pratt to WO2 Paul Bywater. We would like to thank all those who have departed for pastures new and wish them all the best for the future.
With the country still recovering from the effects of COVID and with the various
issues this brought, we continue to see the impact on how we do our business. Our remarkable civilian staff have been ever present and reliable throughout the year and we have yet to hear the word ‘NO’ come from any of them.
The fantastic four really do enhance the department and contribute hugely to our ability to provide logistical support to the Bn.
Over the last few months, we have seen the RQMS, WO2 Stu Chamberlain, put himself through the mill preparing for and completing 1000 miles over a
testing 9 day cycle ride raising funds for ‘Birmingham Mind’, a charity close to his heart. On one of those days, Armourer SSgt Stephen Risker, donned his lycra shorts and rode alongside the RQMS, although some say he was brought in
to act as a windbreaker. An outstanding personal performance raised over
£2000 and although he says he found
it extremely hard, we all knew he would smash it. Well done Stu and we look forward to seeing what you do next! Stu was also honoured to be selected to carry the Commonwealth Games baton.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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