Page 99 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

with an infamous subscriber to the Cavalry and Guards young officer network.
This confidence with the ladies and danc- ing also proved too much when combined with his dedication the Regiment. As he was again found teaching this same form of horizontal dancing to one of his Regimental brothers’ sister, while at the brother’s wedding.
Quicky’s confidence is also difficult to dent. During both his tours, Poland and Mali, he found love through Tinder. What proceeded to occur on both occasions was 6 months of furious texting and numerous hour-long phone calls. Sadly, on both occa- sions when he returned to the UK and met these individuals in person- the relation-
Sam Hayes commissioned into the Light Dragoons in April 2018, after complet- ing his 44 weeks at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst. Not only was he recognised for his performance in being selected to be a JUO, Sam gained notori- ety around the Academy for his portrayal of the New College Adjutant in the Senior Term skits (video available upon request).
After a dabble in Brecon completing the Live Firing A Qualification, Sam thoroughly embraced the “apology for Sandhurst” Troop Leaders Course over the summer of 2018. The hottest summer on record, a football world cup and a 1.5 mile run to the beach: those truly were the hal- cyon days. The tactics phase at Warminster came all too quickly. Sam thrived through- out tactics as a natural light cavalry com- mander: unphased under pressure and a true team played. However, his 6 ft 4 frame resulted in a very cosy experience sub-surface.
He arrived at regimental duty in October 2018 and joined A Sqn to be greeted with an about turn back to Salisbury Plain for a winter Ex WESSEX STORM. The “snaptin” on the plain, Sam relished his introduction in the Empire, leading the squadron on the infamous “Strike Op”, immortalised as a story retold in subaltern fireside chats.
After surviving four months on the plain, Sam was rewarded with three months in Zambia as part of the British Peace Support Team. He spent his time support- ing the pre-deployment training for the Zambian Army before they deployed on UN peacekeeping missions. In between this, he effectively used taxpayers money to tour the country, seeing the Victoria Falls and embracing the expat lifestyle.
Upon his return to the UK, Sam fell back into his rhythm at regimental duty. Many
ship abruptly ended. The jury is out on why they got rid of him.
What his confidence did facilitate though was a drive and a motivation to succeed at any job he held. His innate ability to build relationships quickly meant that as a Troop Leader he was able to team up with his Tp Sgt and drive his troop for- ward. As a 2IC, his enthusiasm managed to permeate throughout his sqn. His con- fidence also allowed him to seamlessly step up to the plate of OC (even if his OC didn’t always know this was required). As RSO he rebranded ‘Command Troop’ as a place where soldiers wanted to work and successfully helped to deploy the Long Range Recce Group on their first deploy- ment to Mali. As Adjutant, his enjoyment
Capt Sam Hayes
in the development of others and his love for the Regiment were plain for all to see. It was right at the end of his career with Light Dragoons that his confidence came into use as he was asked to step up to the role of Chief of Staff on the final BG Ex of his career. Delegating and pointing while looking important – a role he was born to do.
In short, this confident young man has had a career that both his father and brother as fellow Light Dragoons can be proud of. We wish him all the best in his future where he will undoubtably be successful, likely with a story of two along the way.
AR
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
an evening would be spent musing in the anteroom, reading or eloquently debating policy and strategy. His dulcet tones would captivate all those in his presence. His thoughtful and approachable nature made him a sounding board for all subalterns in the mess, and his natural athletic ability made him a founding member for “Iron Empire”, the elite lockdown A Squadron phys club.
From regimental duty, Sam went on to work in Andover as Executive Officer, Embankment, Strategy Directorate. No-one is too sure what this job entailed, but Sam was in his element working on policy in Army Headquarters.
After getting the taste of expat lifestyle, in 2020 Sam became the British Exchange
Officer to the 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (Australia). Hexi TV on wet and cold Salisbury plain was no more, and in its place BBQs in the Aussie outback.
It was in Australia where Sam bid his military service farewell. As devoted as he was to his military service, his loyalty to his young family became the priority. Sam will be thoroughly missed by all those who served alongside him. We wish him, Lisa and baby Albertine all the happiness in their life down under, and we look for- ward to investing in his podcast series, if the project management jobs do not work out for him.
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