Page 72 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

In early January 2022, HQ Sqn were tasked with delivering a large-scale Regimental event that would mark a celebration of the Light Dragoons 30th Birthday. The event that came to be known as LD 30 was now in its infancy and selections were made of the lucky individuals who would be tasked to ensure its success.
Maj Alex Thirlaway, overall responsible for LD30, assembled his team. It consisted of RQMS (T) Cawthorne who would lead the format and rehearsal of the LD birthday parade. In his capacity as PMC of the WO’s and Sergeants Mess, RQMS Martin was selected to lead both the association even- ing and families day and was responsible for the overall budget of £55,000, kindly gifted by the Regimental Association. Sgt Mallen was tasked with assisting the RQMS with the family’s day while Sgt Bradder was charged with making sure that the RQMS did not think his pockets were too deep. SSM Hirst diligently made all security arrangements and ensured that all Association members were invited. The RCWO would be responsible for ensuring that everyone attending was adequately nourished by providing not one, but two meals for the 1000 guests expected.
The majority of planning was completed in February while the Regiment was deployed on Exercise Wessex Storm and preparations were in a good place by the end of May. Much of July saw the RQMS (T) rally the squadron’s in the effort to sharpen and polish some very stiff drill muscles. The parade would include both a Regimental ‘form at the halt’ and three separate squadron’s ‘form on the march,’ both extremely difficult manoeuvre’s which the squadron’s would have to master in less than a week alongside completing live fire training at Warcop Ranges.
The RQMS (T) and the squadron’s rose to the challenge and the screams of “Left Form, Right Sir” could be heard ringing around Gaza Barracks as parade prepa- ration intensified. Marques were built, stands polished, food prepared and tasted by RHQ before the thumbs up was given by the CO to form up on the line of departure.
Before we knew it the big day was upon us with the only casualties so far being one RQMS with much less hair and an RQMS (T) with the same lack of hair as before but with a much more prominent tinge of grey. As expected, Maj Thirlaway had continued to dye his hair ginger in an effort to appear unphased.
The weekend kicked off on the Friday of the 22nd of July with the Light Dragoons Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess host- ing the visiting association members and the Officers Mess for a curry buffet in the
evening. The evening also marked the first time that the whole Regiment, including the Association had been together in one place for two years and it was excellent to see so many Association members make the trip to North Yorkshire and take part in the celebrations.
On Saturday, 23rd July, The Light Dragoons celebrated its 30th year by host- ing the LD30 Association Parade. The occasion marked 30 years since the amal- gamation of its two antecedent Regiments, the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own) and the 15th/19th The Kings Royal Hussars.
The celebrations started with a ceremonial parade of 90 Light Dragoons including the Regimental Guidon, which was escorted by RSM Richardson, RQMS Martin, SSgt Baselala and SSgt Purvis. The parade, lead by Maj Alex Thirlaway and overseen by the Commanding Officer, Lt Col John Harris, was spectated by the serving Regiment and their families as well as a large con- tingent of dignitaries from the Regimental Association. These included the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Angus Watson, who was also the inspecting officer of the day.
The parade concluded with a Drum- Head Service, delivered by Father Ian Fowler which honoured members of the Regiment, both past and serving. The Colonel of the Regiment then addressed the parade and guests. Brigadier Watson commented of his pride at the continual success of the Light Dragoons both on operations and within barracks over the last 30 years and congratulated serving members, family and the association mem- bers on that legacy.
The parade and guests were then invited to enjoy the Light Dragoons LD 30 gar-
den party and all ranks function. Food and refreshments were served against a backdrop of the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside whilst children and families had chance to relax and have fun on the many and varied stands or enjoy the live entertainment. It should be noted that the standard of food throughout the event was excellent and the significant task of feeding 1000 guests twice in one day was completed to the highest standard by SSgt Errington, Mrs Mandy Craggs, Mrs Tracy Carty and their team.
Special thanks were given to many outside agencies who helped support the day which included, the Great North Yorkshire Air Ambulance, North Yorkshire Police and Fire Service and BFBS Catterick Garrison. Special thanks also should go to Sgt Mallen for pulling together an excellent mixture of family entertainment which allowed fami- lies of all ages to enjoy the day.
During the celebrations, The Light Dragoons Commanding Officer, Lt Col John Harris addressed the soldiers and families. The Commanding Officer hon- oured Maj Mel Tazey, who served as the Light Dragoons first Regimental Sergeant Major, for his continued hard work and dedication as the Regimental Secretary of the Light Dragoons Regimental Association.
The celebrations concluded with a theat- rical firework display where the blue, red and buff of the Light Dragoons streaked across the sky backed by the sound of Edward Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory.
All members of the Regiment and garri- son who took part in the day could be very proud of an excellent day of pomp and pageantry celebrating the Light Dragoons 30th Birthday.
AT
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
LD 30
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