Page 78 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Lt Doggart and ‘Wild Bill’ McDonald – just another casual Sunday in London
Ou est le crustacean
off to be ADC to Commander SJFHQ in Northwood, Capt Hector Norton went on an overseas operation and Capt Jonathon Quicke has jumped ship to civvie street, seemingly enjoying sedate life in an office away from Regimental PT....
We must say a huge thanks to the RSM, PMC and all members of the WO’s and Sgts’ Mess who have kindly (through grit- ted teeth?) hosted us through this period of mess closedown. They hosted us for tea and toast, lunch and supper throughout the week. Black tie on a Tuesday was replaced with polo shirts, jeans, karaoke and often a dram or two of their favourite whiskey. We were incredibly well looked after, and we look forward to repaying the favour when we are finally able to host in 2023.
As ever, we must say thanks to the Mess Sergeant Major, SSgt Brewer, for all his hard work to keep the Mess in decent order. And, of course our fabulous Mess Manager, Fran Ryan. Without Fran and her team of Abbey, Becks, Christine and Co the Mess would simply not be able to function. We are eternally grateful, especially the sub- bies who are kept in good order by the immensely hardworking team.
HCF
to head of A vs B Sqn on the motion “This house believes that war is more complex today than ever before”. With both teams performing admirably, conversation in the ante room much more high brow than normal, and even with Lt Griffiths demon- strating linguistic skills that none thought he possessed, in the end it was B Sqn that claimed the win. The speaker of the night went to Capt Turner, who blew the opposi- tion away in his concluding speech, start- ing with “Team. Three things”.
On 1st December 2022 we celebrated 30 years of Light Dragoons and hosted our former Colonels, Commanding Officers, Regimental Secretaries, and RSMs, albeit held in the WOs and Sgts’ Mess. A special occasion where Subalterns, Colonels and RSMs sat down together and reminisced about the last 30 years and all that has been achieved. With the mess livery and combined mess silver on immaculate dis- play, and Pol Roger flowing the night was a truly great night. This was embodied by Col Plant and Lt Doggart taking selfies together as the night began to wind down. But only one of them was still standing in the early hours, alongside Buchan, Rae, and Thirlaway, to name but a few.....
Outside of all the events and festivities, we have continued to improve the Mess’ infrastructure both inside and out. Within the Mess, the King’s suite has had a refur- bishment and is now fit to host the Colonel in Chief. Outside the Mess, we have a cov- ered seating area in the garden. The ideal location for a summer’s day brown trouser lunch. Gardens member, Lt Griffiths has also got ambitious spring planting pro- gram to grow a variety of plants and climb-
ers around the mess. We wait with bated breath to see what he has got in store and will be sure to keep you updated through 2023.
This year has welcomed new LD faces to the mess with 2Lts Ben Arulampalam, Dave ‘Disco’ Emmanuel, Sam Chrisp, Will Ferguson and Frankie Lennon, and Capt Matt Chamberlain has joined from the RDG, Capt George Curtis as the new EME.
Meanwhile we have said farewell to; Capt Alex Stinton, who chose the sunny south Dorset coast rather the hills of Hereford, but his enthusiasm for mess fun will be missed. Messrs Innes & MacDonald fled to Training Regiments Grantham and Harrogate respectively, Capt Alex Rudd,
Ratt Miall on duty
The delightful Fran
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