Page 72 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

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FC, all of whom recognise the value of military engagement with their local County Regiment; our involvement in the Games
of Remembrance at Notts County FC and Nottingham Forest FC were particularly memorable. By using the media reach
of highly proficient organisations such
as Stoke City FC, we can project the Mercian brand much further than we would otherwise be able to and this is certainly an area that we will seek to exploit in the future.
Diversity throughout the Battalion has also been stark. Complemented by our HQ and D Company OCs, our Executive Officer and Quartermaster (Reserve) are Late Entry Officers from the Royal Irish Regiment, which has added significant depth of knowledge to 4 MERCIAN and blends well with the traditional Mercian
character. Our Officer
manning remains low,
but we continue to have
four hugely professional
PSAOs managing their
sub-unit locations,
backed up by a strong
team of support staff.
Alongside our Young
Officer intake of 2Lts
Nicholls and Stone, we have welcomed our first 4 MERCIAN cap-badged female Officer, 2Lt Scott from East Midlands University Officer Training Corps.
As we turn our thoughts to 2019, we are focussed on furthering the Mercian brand whilst strengthening the opportunities for the soldiers of 4 MERCIAN to operationally deploy, primarily alongside 1 MERCIAN.
Routinely training to
the highest possible standards aides retention and capability. We are likely to be extremely busy on Op CABRIT in Estonia
and also as the lead for Ex IRON WOLF in Lithuania in November,
but our soldiers have a relentless appetite to develop and they will more than Stand Firm and Strike Hard whilst undertaking any commitments directed to them.
2018, a superb year for a fantastic Battalion of relentlessly professional people, with a great future!
B (Malta) Company
We are likely to be extremely busy on Op CABRIT in Estonia and also as the lead for Ex IRON WOLF...
Capt R A Davies MBE
The year started off with a push by the recruiting team surging into our areas after the Christmas break. We welcomed the arrival of Maj PhIl Purslow, who came after a stint at RTMC with the RE. A few members of the Company deployed early on a Ski expedition on Ex JASNA in Slovakia for a couple of weeks adventure training. The team that went out thoroughly enjoyed the trip having taken part in a novice expedition 12 months prior. As they returned, we bid
a farewell to CSgt Herbert who returned to 1 MERCIAN and the Company wish him well. He was replaced by the newly qualified and promoted CSgt Barry and he has settled in well with the Mor Pl.
As the Bn is paired with 1 MERCIAN, the Company were keen to send soldiers down to visit 1 MERCIAN to be briefed
on the role of the Warrior and take part in training alongside their Regular colleagues on SPTA. This proved useful and some strong links were formed which then resulted in 5 soldiers from the Company volunteering to deploy to BATUS for the full 6 weeks of their exercise. On return some of them deployed straight away again with 1 MERCIAN on Ex SSIII. The individuals have all returned better-trained and some volunteered to deploy on OP CABRIT.
The remainder of the Company has
still been busy with training. The annual training was split into cadres. The Mortar Platoon ran a numbers cadre followed by a live firing exercise, which allowed the Mor Pl to remain qualified. We welcomed our new PSI CSgt Nicholls who is an extremely capable SNCO having come to us from the BMATT in the former Czechoslovakia who has proven to be an inspiration with the Company. He laid on a superb Sharp shooter cadre for the Company. Following
Cpl Bird holding Sgt Knight’s VC
on from this he prepared the Company Team entering the Bn Patrols competition, which being led by Cpl Wood won the competition with confidence.
Late summer the Company took advantage of the good weather and took part in Adventure Training in the Lake District. Activities included White Water rafting and taking the eye-watering Via Ferrata near HONISTER Slate Mine. Sadly, we then bid a farewell to the OC who had to retire, and the Company wished him well after his long service as a Reservist.
November the Company took part in celebrations to commemorate the end
Cpl Bird at the Postmans Park Memorial in London
of the Great War across the County.
The Mortar Platoon provided an Honour Guard at the lighting of one of the National Beacons. 5 Platoon provided the contingent in Widnes. Cpl Bird, who in his civilian employment works for the Post Office, was selected to represent both the Reserve
and Post Office in recognition of the Post Men who served during the Great War. This involved him attending a Service at Royal Mail’s own Chapel in Postman’s Park in London. Here he was fortunate enough to be given access to the actual VC won by Sgt Alfred Knight who won the VC on the 20th September 1917 at Ypres.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE