Page 80 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
The yearly knee’s up with the Officers Mess happened in December. With their mess being overrun with squatters or should I say rats it had to be held in the WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess. As always, it was an excellent night. It is also the time of the year that the WO3 is awarded. If some of you don’t know what this is, it is to com- memorate one of our own, Sgt ‘Axel’ Foley. He was notorious in ensuring every officer was always hosted well and was never too far away from the CO or RSM. This year it was awarded to Sgt ‘Mini Sting’ Rae. He took it in his stride, and I am sure he will not let the mess down but more impor- tantly Axel.
The end of the year was finished off with the Christmas Ball. This year it was organ- ised by the team from the Legion. An excellent evening and we thank them for
all the hard work they put into it. The prize draw again was controversial. With the event organiser, the PMC & RQMS all coming away with a prize. I promise you all. Nothing dodgy was going on. As they say, ‘it’s the luck of the draw’.
It has been a fantastic year for the mess, and it has been good to see it going from strength to strength now all restric-
tions are gone. We look forward to next year and to the Officers’ Mess finally being allowed back to their own ante room once their little rodent friends have been evicted.
AH
The Corporal’s Mess has seen a turbu- lent time over the past year due to many of its mess members being away all over the world on various exercises and deployments.
That said, we have still managed to hold a few functions such as opening our doors for LD30, Balaclava Day and the regimental beer tasting. We have also hosted many Squadron socials and sports award ceremonies.
LD30 saw the Corporals mess play host to all ranks and their families through- out the day. For many the mess served as a haven for blokes hiding from their wives and cola fuelled kids.
Corporal’s Mess
Balaclava Day as they say, ask us no ques- tions and we will tell you no lies.
The mess held host to an array of the rank and file of the Light Dragoons and saw us celebrating long into the night. With the reintroduction of port roulette, the mess was even able to make signifi- cant gains on its bar float. The evening was interspersed with the traditional jovial snatch and grab of young officers from their mess. As William Shakespeare once said, “the sins of a father will be laid upon the children.” All in all, a good night was had by all and traditions of old were well observed.
Regimental beer tasting was a bit of fast ball for Corporals Mess with a visit of the military beer company who had come sell us their beer with our branding. Several beers of varying types and strength were tasted and tested, accumulating in three being chosen as official regimental beers. We all look forward to the finished prod- uct in due cause.
There is a bright future ahead for the mess with the introduction of weekly opening hours and monthly games nights. This will no doubt create and foster a strong mess culture and add to the already bold esprit de corps of our fine regiment.
IC
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