Page 101 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

During his time in the Training Wing, he converted the regiment to Light Cavalry. He designed, planned and executed the first Light Cavalry mounted live firing package, the same package which is in ser- vice today.
Bobbie was soon rewarded again and pro- moted to WO2 and posted to C Squadron ‘The Legion’ as SSM. Back at the sharp end where he loved to be, he enjoyed many exercises both in the UK and overseas including an operational deployment to Tunisia to train the Tunisian Army in their fight against ISIS.
Bobbie was then selected for the role of RQMS(M). He once again produced an outstanding performance and in 2017 was successful on the WO1 promotion board and was selected to be the next Regimental Sergeant Major of The Light Dragoons. Extremely proud, Bobbie thoroughly enjoyed his time in RHQ, particularly the effect an individual can have on a soldier’s
life, morale and career. He was a role model for all soldiers and never lost touch with the soldier at ground level.
In 2019 Bobbie attended the Army Officer Selection Board and was again successful. He commissioned to Captain and posted to Headquarters Squadron as Squadron Second in Command and MTO. Now Captain Buchan, he deployed to Mali on Op Newcombe as A1 Echelon Commander where he commanded a subunit of 80 per- sonnel and over 20 vehicles in blistering desert conditions. Operating hundreds of miles from any support, the Echelon was key to the success of the deployment. Op Newcombe turned out to be one of his most challenging and enjoyable experiences of all. This was the last of his 8 operational deployments.
Outside of operations, Bobbie was a keen sportsman. As a young Trooper he scored the winning goal in the Cavalry Cup final in which was the first time the regiment
won the cup as Light Dragoons. He went on to score a total of 4 goals at Burton Court in Cavalry Cup finals and was a ‘Cav Cup’ winner 3 times. Bobbie was proud to cap- tain The Light Dragoons and Armoured Corps football teams. He was also the regimental welterweight boxing champion in 2008. As RSM he won the UK North Triathlon Series novice category, which is testimony to the high standards he set. In addition he represented the regimental rugby, cricket, golf and triathlon teams.
Sadly after 25 years, Bobbie decided it was time for a new challenge and wanting to be closer to home to spend time with his wife Martha and his boys, Bobbie, Charles and Edward. He reluctantly left the regi- ment in July 2022 after an outstanding and colourful career working alongside true heroes and legends. A true poacher turned gamekeeper, we wish Bobbie, Martha and the boys all the best for the future.
KB
Simon gained notoriety at Sandhurst for his self-congratulatory and cliched ‘Diary of an Officer Cadet’, which did little
to build bridges with his platoon directing staff and bemused his peers. A confirmed Light Dragoon on arrival at Sandhurst, he demonstrated his suitability for combat by freezing like a rabbit in headlights when accosted by an angry Croatian bouncer whilst on AT, his extraction required a hasty raid by his mates, saving him from his immediate onset Stockholm Syndrome.
On arrival at regiment he joined 1st Tp, A Sqn and formed a notable bromance with Wingnut (WO2 Martin), his Tp Sgt. PDT for operations followed, commenc- ing with a Landover safari to Kenya, fol- lowed by deployment to Bosnia as part of EUFOR. The highlight of his tour was unquestionably completing the Sarajevo half-marathon with the added complexity of a Jaeger-Bomb for every mile run, skil- fully administered on the move by Capt Amos. Yet again, when things turned a lit- tle more kinetic at the ‘The Battle of The Millennium Bar’ Simon was notable by his absence.
Famous in the mess for his diabolical attempt to ‘love’ chicken nuggets by con- suming one hundred dipped in ice cream, when the push came to shove, he prob- ably managed no-more than 20. Whilst Training Officer, Simon interviewed and was selected for AdC to Lt Gen Radford
(then COMD ARRC). Simon formed a close bond with Gen Radford during a year in the outer-office. He continued to men- tor Simon through the remainder of his career and they remain in touch today.
Simon returned to regiment as Adjutant, reuniting with RSM Bell, who had been both his SSgt at Sandhurst and SSM in A Sqn. With a refined eye for a neat, well- presented uniform, the thought of an Orderly Officers inspection with Simon struck fear into subalterns. Fortunately for them, their new Adjutant (AKA Narcissus) had such a penchant for gazing at himself in any reflective surface that he rarely had time to focus on how others were dressed.
His final Capts job was attached to the NATO Special Forces group as a Staff Officer, this afforded plenty of time to indulge his passion for ‘ally’ pictures in the harsh Jordanian desert, which were endlessly drip fed to his limited social media following on his return. Selected for promotion to Major, Simon decided to call time on his military career and was posted to the Ministry of Defence. Here he found himself in a highly important role, acting as a military liaison officer between Whitehall departments, advising on the planning and roll out of COVID-19 mass testing. He excelled, becoming key to the enterprise and demonstrating his dedication, personability and staff prow- ess. Unanimously popular across the regi-
ment Simon excelled as a Light Dragoons Officer. He would be bitterly disappointed if it were not mentioned that he was the only Officer of our generation to be selected to play for the LD 1st XI Football team – a brief appearance as goalkeeper – the game was lost, he failed to be re-selected.
Simon summarised his career as follows, “I’m not saying I’m General Watson or anything, but I was the Adjutant”. Concerningly, following a number of acts of cowardice whilst serving, Simon is now Head of Security (“and Operations Gubbins.....”) for the Polo in the Park events.
CGMG
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Major Simon Nicholson
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