Page 78 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

84 EAGLE AND CARBINE
HOME HEADQUARTERS
When last year’s notes were written, little did we think that we would still be restricted in what we could do because of COVID one year one. While the benefits of the COVID injections took effect and there was gradual easing of restrictions throughout the year, at the time of writing the effects of COVID are still being felt in the way everyone does their business. However, things did open up as the year progressed. At the start of the year meetings were all done virtually but at the end of the year the meetings of the Shop Directors, Museum Trust, Regimental Trust and the Regimental Council were all held face to face. In addition, a briefing of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Council by the Colonel of the Regiment was held in the Cavalry and Guards Club in July.
The main focus of the year was the weekend in September when a number of events were held to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Inevitably Home Headquarters was involved in supporting the Serving Regiment and coordinating the participation of the Association in them. The events are recorded l elsewhere in the journal but suffice to say the biggest lesson to come from it was the importance of the need for the Serving Regiment and Home Headquarters to work closely together in planning these type of events, and for plan- ning to start early.
The 30th anniversary of Operation GRANBY was marked in various ways throughout the year. On 25
February Lieutenant Colonel Sharples, with help from Major Roger Macmillan, hosted a virtual ZOOM gath- ering of the officers who had been in the Battle Group on the operation. This was also attended by others who had been involved with the Battle Group includ- ing Kate Adie and Martin Bell. A brochure about the Regiment’s role on the Operation, including the part played by ‘B’ Squadron who were attached to the 1 STAFFORDS Battle Group, was written by Mark Ravnkilde and as at the end of the year, a book written by Garry Paton about his troop’s role is almost nearing completion. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Sharples gave a virtual talk to the Officers’ Mess about the oper- ation and then, in the autumn, went to the Bovington and Glasgow Branch gatherings to tell them about it in person. These talks were very well received.
So, while some events did take place, others fell by the wayside including the Sprot Cup and the Regimental Race. In addition, the Cavalry Memorial Parade and Service was cancelled for the second year running although a virtual one was live streamed on the day and featured the Pipe Major and the Corps Regimental Sergeant Major, Scott Robinson. However, in December ninety nine people including the Deputy Colonel-in Chief attended the Officers’ annual dinner in the Cavalry and Guards Club although a number had to pull out at the last minute because of COVID.
Everyone in the Regiment will have become used to the phrase, Harnessing Our Network, over the past