Page 102 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
circumstances saw the QOY one man short. Cpl Holland from C Sqn led the QOY team in the fixture but despite the outstanding work he had done to assemble and train an Army reservist team, the Royal Lancers were victorious and would move to the next round.
The focus of competition then switched towards remembering and honouring those who had gone before us as the Regiment prepared to parade all 4 Sqns in their respective cities of Newcastle, York, Wigan and Chester to mark Remembrance Day alongside our Regular Army counterparts. In addition, we also welcomed back Lt Gay and LCpl Molina who had been mobilised for 6 weeks in support of Ex DIAMOND BACK in the Mojave Desert. The exercise was a perfect opportunity for our personnel to practice interoper- ability with our US allies and many lessons learned were reported back by our troops.
As the year drew to a close, A Sqn and B Sqn put to bed the final year’s training in the form of GPMG training at Altcar Ranges and a very chilly Jackal Drivers’
and Jackal Commanders’ Course based out of Yeomanry Barracks in York. The Commanding Officer then did a round robin of the Sqns to congratulate all members of the QOY for their perfor- mance in 2023 and also to award some CO’s coins to those most deserving of recognition.
As is traditional 2023 closed with the QOY Christmas Weekend which would take place at the home of our paired Regiment, the Light Dragoons, in Gaza Barracks Catterick Garrison. The weekend provided an opportunity for members of the QOY to experience a traditional Regular Army Christmas celebration. Activities included a fancy- dress Christmas fun run where a group of lost reindeers that looked suspi- ciously like officers stumbled into a snowstorm that smelt suspiciously like shaving foam. The Officers and SNCO’s then served the Regiment Christmas lunch before the Commanding Officer delivered the 2023 award ceremony before an all-ranks evening function. The QOY would like to thank the Light Dragoons and in particular WO2
Errington whose support made the weekend a resounding success.
The QOY now look forward to operating with the Light Dragoons in 2024. There is still a strong cohort of Light Dragoon permanent staff serving with the QOY alongside the RSM. WO2 Bowman is serving as the Training Warrant Officer and each sqn still maintains PSI posts including Sgt Hewson, Sgt Coulthard and Sgt Abbott. WO2 Ford still serves as the FTRS MTWO, and we have many ex Light Dragoons now wearing the QOY cap badge across all ranks. There is however always space for more and the QOY will always be delighted to receive anyone from the Light Dragoons who has left or is leaving the Army and wishes to join the Army Reserves.
2023 has been a fantastic year and we will continue to exploit every oppor- tunity to conduct joint training with our paired regiment. The QOY wishes the Light Dragoons the best of luck in 2024 and hopes that both regiments will continue to benefit from this long- standing affiliation.
PFM
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