Page 75 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

March 2011, when WOII Shaw was recalled back to Battalion for pre deployment training prior to HERRICK 15. This produced a gap for the company for a few weeks before the arrival of WOII Ted Coxon from 3 RIFLES. WOII Shaw was dined out from E Coy in May 2011, an event which saw many friends from the Company and across 4 MERCIAN attend. We wish Ephi all the best for the future, and during his forthcoming tour.
The New Year’s Honours List provided
a pleasant surprise for the Company. Our Permanent Staff Administration Officer (PSAO) Capt Keith Mahoney was awarded an MBE for his work as a CNO and CVO. Capt Mahoney and his wife Nadine had a very pleasant day out at The Palace when the award was presented. This award is well deserved, and shows the dedication and professionalism of a man who has served the people of the United Kingdom for almost 40 years.
E Coy has again helped our colleagues in the Regular Army. As mentioned
earlier in this article, the Company has provided soldiers for operations in 2011. L/Cpl Becky Crump, Rfns Lee Comer, Scott Empson, Anthony Courtney and James Summerfield have all mobilised for HERRICK 14. Cpl Helen Overton has gone through Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre (RTMC) Chilwell and she will deploy in a REME role for HERRICK 15.
The Company could not achieve any of this without the help, support and
WO1 Whillock and L/Cpl Barks
experience of the permanent staff. Capt Keith Mahoney MBE performs an excellent job as PSAO. He is assisted by Miss Gill Morris, who does the unenviable job of administration. C/Sjt ‘Decca’ Winter and Mr Phil Ramsey keep the stores in perfect order, whilst attending to the needs of
the Company during the week so that we can train at weekends. Mr Vince Foot works hard with the Company vehicle fleet to ensure that all the maintenance is performed timely and efficiently.
Conclusion
The training year 2011 – 2012 is focussing on conventional operations. In 2012 – 2013, we will change this to current operations, as the Battalion will be mobilising for another Op. HERRICK tour. E Coy will have no shortage of volunteers to serve once more.
E Rifles Coy is well recuirted and is continuing to thrive. Many of our soldiers have operational experience of some kind, be it from Afghanistan, Iraq or Northern Ireland. We are not resting on our laurels and look forward to the future with confidence.
MBE Citation for Captain Keith Mahoney
Captain Mahoney has performed the role
of Casualty Notification Officer (CNO) and Casualty Visiting Officer (CVO), in support of HQ 5th Division, on 8 separate occasions. He was amongst the first to be deployed,
is still engaged across
a number of different
Regiments and Corps
and his work as a CVO
has helped a large
number of bereaved
families through
that most difficult of
experiences in coming
to terms with their loss.
He conducted his most
recent duty during Op HERRICK 10 where he dealt with the case of a young soldier listed Very Seriously Ill (VSI), whose father had died serving on an Op BANNER tour;
a complex case, that required a high level of compassion and a caring engagement with the widowed mother. Other cases have
required him to deal with extended and sometimes fractious families. At all times he has displayed a deft and sensitive touch, providing succour and strong emotional support to the families.
He is without question the template in this role across the Division and is a shining example to others required to perform similar duties. He has always been prepared to impart his knowledge and considerable experience to others
and mentor those who have doubted
their ability to perform to his exceptionally high standards. He has enthusiastically contributed to the training of other CNO
& CVO, Service Personnel & Veterans Agency staff and those attending the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre. His meticulous
planning, diligence and refined interpersonal skills have had a huge impact which cannot be overstated and his contribution over a period of some years epitomises the Firm Base in support of operations.
In addition to all of this Capt Mahoney has also held down a busy role as PSAO to a TA Combat Infantry Company in Shrewsbury.
In summary, he has been the vanguard amongst CVOs; he has set the bar for others and then helped them reach
it. His selfless, tireless and meticulous approach has been quite exceptional and has drawn profuse praise from funeral directors, members of the clergy, the Chain of Command and the bereaved families which he has supported. He is thoroughly deserving of public recognition for which he is most strongly recommended.
...he has been the vanguard amongst CVO’s; he has set the bar for others and then helped them reach it
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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