Page 71 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

At the time of writing they are in their final push as the tour comes to an end and we wish them all a safe return.
The run up to Christmas saw the arrival of our new PSAO in the form of Capt Jim Stewart the previous RSM of 4 MERCIAN and someone who clearly knew how the TA worked. He settled in quickly, catching up the six months the post had been gapped and getting to know the company. He has settled in very well and has built a strong permanent team to support the Coy.
The Christmas party was a bash to remember with sumo suits drawing blood between subalterns and gave us all the chance to see CSgt Simcox get the upper hand over his wife (Cpl Simcox), (once a year isn’t bad). Pte Frost discovered his vocation as a surfer after making record after record on the surf machine; the food was outstanding and produced by Sgt Develin and trainee chef Pte Tuxford.
The New Year brought a flurry of company weekends and a chance for the JNCOs
to take control of the training and their sections. Sgt Hill and Cpl Woodward took
a firm hand delivering training in different areas of expertise. It also gave a chance
for 2Lt Oarton to put his ‘M’ qualification into practice, planning and running the weekends. The end of this period meant the Coy said goodbye to WO2 ‘Barny’ Barnett who headed back to 2 MERCIAN to join mortars for the up coming tour; he is wished all the best and a safe return.
Crich was another outstanding success for C Coy. As the pilgrimage grows in
size year on year the company threw its weight into ensuring its success. It was an opportunity for our recruits to witness and experience the regimental family and get
to know the company personalities. Cpl Stuart’s electronic skills came into play for fixing the aging sound system, although it only works when the microphone is turned on! We also welcomed Sgt Stout into the Coy, who is assisting while the Coy waits for a replacement SPSI.
The company concluded the training year with another memorable AT package; another group of Ptes achieved their
level one kayaking whilst testing out the white water of Wales. The CSM tried the mountain biking again, this year it was a super keen PTI leading it and Pte Bramwell said ‘how can we always go up hill never coming down but still finish where we started’. White water rafting was the
order of the day for the Sunday and even Pte Purdy overcame her fear and finished paddling from the front of the raft.
As well as the routine training, the Coy has had a busy year re-skilling, with three new PTIs; LCpls Kerry, Leatherland and Milner (LCpl Milner also attended Junior Brecon). The OC and Sgt Orton completed the regular LFTT course
and DTTT, Cpl Charles
survived the Senior
NCO course at Brecon
and the JNCOs chalked
up many weekend
courses in BCD and
CBRN.
first is Major Keith Spiers who leaves to go and command a desk in 49 Bde as the new SO2 G2/3 and is thanked for his time with the Coy and wished all the best for the future. The next is CSgt Leighton who
at the time of writing is counting his last blanket as he goes to spend more time with his wife Tina and family and
he is thanked for his entire service to 3WFR, EER and The Mercian Regiment.
The final farewell is to Capt Chris ‘Doc’ Bowman, who having managed to take
a year out from the medical profession is joining 2 MERCIAN in Helmand as a Battle Captain for A Coy. C Coy wishes him all the best for the tour and a safe return for him and his men.
There is one welcome arrival and that is to WO2 ‘Bob’ Gardner who joins the coy as the new SPSI, he is still adjusting to life with the TA but is settling in well.
Recruiting has
seen a change as
the coy trialled a new
method of recruiting. Looking to prove commitment and higher levels of fitness before attestation, it appears to be working very well with a high number of very good, fit, enthusiastic and committed recruits going through the system. The excellent camaraderie among the recruits is clearly why the drop out rate is currently 10%, as opposed to the expected 66% across the TA.
There are three farewells for the coy, the
The excellent camaraderie among the recruits is clearly why the drop out rate is currently 10%
High Five! C Coy on AT
Pte Buckley patrolling in STANTA
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
69