Page 43 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

The Platoon had a star in their midst as Chuck Norris in the guise of Cpl ‘Chuck’ Kennedy was kidnapped by enemy forces and played into one of the training serials, however, it was more of a case of missing near action than missing in action.
On return from Ex ASKARI THUNDER
the platoon went straight onto Afghanistan- focused vehicle training in Ballykinler. After a brief spell of leave, the driver training wing under Cpl Kennedy and Cpl Williams was pushed to the limits. Cpl (now Sgt) Perrott proved that the Springer vehicle was a true Cross country vehicle by crashing through a security fence in Magilligan. After spending 3 months instructing on this problem vehicle, his crash was the final nail in the coffin for this Springer and it was removed
Welfare Office by Capt A Hewitt
Life in the Unit Welfare Office during a non- operational year is a welfare officer’s dream, (almost). Since the Bn returned from its previous tour (HERRICK 10) life has been full steam ahead. It has been ‘all change’
at the helm within the department with the departures of the Capt Noel Magill to QM(T), CSgt Bryn Knowles
from service.
The platoon has carried out several
training events on its own and the tactical training provided by Sgt Burgess proved useful against the CIS Pl in a paintballing extravaganza. This was painful as
those who have watched ‘Jack Ass’
will understand. The Platoon has had a dramatic change in manpower and it is sad to say good bye to those members that have left; Cpl Campbell, LCpl Rawes, Ptes Cotterill, Lawton, Pigram, and Reid.
New arrivals have been busy converting on to UOR vehicles and general courses and we welcome, LCpls Smith and Twiggs, and Ptes Greenwood, Farr, Parker and Stout.
Nobody knows who he is although most families will agree it certainly brightened up the night and made those who were not sure, believe!
What about the rest of the year? Apart from the usual fund raising coffee mornings, Halloween parties and Sunday lunches,
Cpl Perrott’s SPRINGER vehicle following a close encounter
power failed, as did the back up generators, luckily after all the food had been served.
All that was left to do was to rescue the children who had been on the bouncy castle at the time, break out the candles and drink what was left in the bar. Luckily for the UWO staff, within the hour full power was resumed!
A full programme of events has been planned with the aid of the Operational Welfare Fund, which will make life a little better for those left behind during tour.
It is at this stage I must say a big thank you to the Soldiers’ Wives and Girlfriends Committee, for helping to organise the various events. Without them life in welfare would be even busier; ladies, a massive thank you.
As I write this article the whole Bn is in its final preparations for deployment and we have finally started to receive the uplift of staff. Cpl ‘Duggy’ Duggan and Pte ‘Ben’ Warmington have joined, with two FTRS JNCOs being recruited as we speak. It
is now time for the team to step up to the plate and deliver.
UWO Capt A Hewitt UWWO CSgt M Zecca
MBE on promotion to
WO2 and posted to the
RST, and Cpl Nick Cope
on completion of his
service and on to ‘civvy
street’. The team and all
the families wish them
all the very best for the
future; also a special mention must go to Capt Noel Magill who was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list for his hard work during his tenure as UWO!
That has just left poor old Joanne Hewitt (no relation) to deal with the many ‘bone questions’ that have been asked by myself and CSgt ‘Marco’ Zecca (Welfare 2IC). Joanne has been a godsend as she has provided the continuity during our transition from one team to the next, so a massive thank you to Joanne. The Office played
a major part in the visit of HRH Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall. The Duchess spent time meeting welfare staff from 2 MERCIAN and the wider Holywood Station support team in the coffee shop and ensured everyone present was spoken too, making them feel completely relaxed. Once the meet-and-greet finished the Duchess spent time with the children of 2 MERCIAN soldiers at Tiggers Palace (Nursery) and she seemed very much at ease speaking to the children. All 2 MERCIAN families were then kindly invited by the RSM to the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess for an informal meet and greet with both VIPs and a buffet lunch.
Christmas in NI has become very cold over recent years, with a number of families deciding to get on the ferry and search for sunnier climes; although finding that actually Nottingham or Worcester aren’t that warm either! One point of note that sparked rumours on Facebook was the mysterious Santa Claus who visited the ‘patch’.
the welfare team and the SWAGs (Soldiers’ Wives and Girlfriends) have been working to build closer links with the local community, hosting a number of events and building the community spirit
that we miss by not being in England. A number of wives have visited ‘The Stormont Parliament’, Drogheda (Battle of the Boyne) and to the theatre to watch a play titled ‘The Black Watch’. The trips were informative, free and enjoyed by all. A full programme
of events was organised while the Bn was away on Ex ASKARI THUNDER (Kenya), and was also a chance for the Welfare Team to conduct a little bit of its own Mission Rehearsal; which I’m sure will stand the team in good stead for Op HERRICK 15. Of note, during one of the Sunday lunches the
during one of the Sunday lunches the power failed, as did the back up generators
Families of 2 MERCIAN on the first outing
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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