Page 57 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

was the best he’s seen. Whilst deployed to Salisbury Plain, the team continued to provide fresh catering to the exercising troops - always a welcome break from ORP! Sgt Lumsden and LCpl Si McCormick also pro- vided catering to Knook Camp, where 1 RIFLES, the OPFOR, were accommodated. This proved a testing task as we had to keep going through a COVID 19 out- break! Such was the excellent effort by Sgt Lumsden and LCpl McCormick, that they both received a com- mendation from Commanding Officer 1RIFLES. Additionally, over this period, Sgt Wright deployed to Linton on Ouse, supporting a COVID isolation facil- ity; on this task he was instrumental in overhauling menus and also providing alternative meal events to raise the morale of isolated personnel.
Summer leave followed WESSEX STORM, although the activity and tempo did not lessen; Cpl Suguta and LCpl McCormick deployed to Ballater to set up cater- ing for the Royal Guard, a special tasking that they will remember with pride for years to come. On return from leave we crashed straight into SCOTS DG 50 cel- ebration planning and delivery. The weekend included multiple events, the highlight being the Officers’ Mess Dinner Night, catering for over 100 guests. A cater- ing team led by Sgt Lumsden and Sgt Wright, drawn from SCOTS DG, 2 Bn REME and our industry part- ner prepared and delivered an outstanding meal. The quality was exceptional, with many guests taking time to personally thank the chefs, some stating that they would expect the standard in a high-end Michelin Star restaurant. It’s fair to say we were extremely pleased with the pheromonal effort and teamwork that went into the evening.
Then followed our first Commanding Officer’s Dinner night, celebrating Balaclava in the Officers Mess, an event that sees the warrant officers dine with the offic- ers. The expectation is a high standard meal and that is precisely what was delivered: another department
success! At the same time, Sgt Lumsden was deployed away to Cambuslang on MACA with 7 RLC, providing quality catering support to troops deployed in support of Op RESCRIPT. He received high praise for his work and earned yet another Commanders Coin to add to his collection!
At this point we also bid farewell to UCM SSgt Dave Guthrie, as he moves on assignment to 6 RLC; his contribution to the department and the Regiment has been outstanding: tireless work ethic and a ferocious pursuit of high standards has set a high bar for others to follow. We wish him all the best for the future.
The close of the year saw Sgt Lumsden promoted to SSgt and taking over as ‘Chief Chips’ - we congratu- late him on his much-deserved promotion. LCpl Si McCormick, our in house PTI, set himself a signifi- cant challenge for the ‘Movember’ challenge, complet- ing an eye popping 5000 burpees (whilst also grow- ing a hint of a moustache). In the end, he raised £300 for charity. LCpl McCormick also represented the Regiment’s British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) team in a physical endurance challenge and finished third overall, an incredible achievement, for which he can be justifiably proud.
Finally promotions and farewells a plenty: Privates Rob Glancy and ‘Stevo’ Stevenson moved on promo- tion to LCpl, LCpl Marshall on promotion to Cpl, and Cpl ‘Uncle G’ Gurung on promotion to Sgt. Congratulations and good luck go to all, we thank them for their excellent efforts whilst assigned to SCOTS DG. We also welcomed Sgt (Rosie) Roseru & LCpl Si McCormick to the department.
An outstanding year for the team, extremely busy, not without its frictions, but always in high spirits.
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