Page 77 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
One sculpted in the gym, one sculpted in the pub, both made for the Langskip. Next up was one of the more challenging events. 10 minutes to clean and press a 60kg ‘keg’ as many times as possible. Telemark teams appeared to have practised this before and had smart technique. Noticeably Mek 3 and Mek 4 teams consisting of 7 chiselled Vikings all easily over 6ft 8, seemed to move their 60kg kegs above their heads as if it was Tpr Hanna. LDs managed 116 reps, not quite competing with Mek 4 who banged out 246 reps.
Following this was the farmers walk. 800m with two Leopard 2 tank wheels. Axe throwing and Javelin were next, I must say, I dug deep in the muscle memory to a Sports Day in 2014 and classically took second place in the Javelin throw. Into the final three events of the games, next was the Land Rover drag and ‘row’. The event was exactly as you would imagine. This was followed immediately by the dead hang. 4 K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery parked up with tips touching, making room for 4 teams to compete at once. A select elite from each team would in turn jump up and hang on to the barrel for a best effort. Tpr Betchley hung like a chimpanzee, however not quite competing with the Telemark Mek 4 lad who clocked over 16 minutes on the pristinely engineered South Korean barrel.
The last event of the day can be compared to a British Army log race, however, obviously was very much log race, Viking- style. Essentially, a log race, but teams needed to source their log from a tree,(cut down with large axe,) run round a course, throw a grenade and then saw the log in
half. Genuinely a classic event that was hard work but enjoyable as log races go.
To top off a tremendous few days of engagement with our NATO partners, Telemark cleared out their tank park for a Viking feast and for DJ Broiler to set up his stage... If you haven’t heard him, get on Spotify and have a listen. During the Viking ‘feast’ Telemark initiated their new members to the High Table. Anyone from across the Battalion can be nominated for the honour for feats of courage and bravery. Norway’s Top General shook their hand and skulled a horn with them. It was pretty surreal and awesome to see how Telemark do their business. Light Dragoons must maintain the relationship we have with the Telemark Battalion. A fantastic bunch, professional, fun and of similar ethos to the Light Dragoons. STOTTY, obviously we flew to Oslo.
Lt BRA Arulampalam
75
Prince Hussein Wedding
At the biggest Royal Wedding of the year our very own Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan married the wonderful Rajwa Al Saif. A wedding that had gripped a whole nation, you could not move for a picture of the soon to be newlyweds. Street cordons in place, it was time for the Light Dragoon contingent and partners to assemble, coming in via various methods, the only sensible meeting place was the Hotel pool.... Bar.
The wedding was not only a chance to celebrate but travel, with members of the party visiting the immaculately preserved City of Jerash, city of a thousand pillars, the wonderful ancient rock city of Patra and the world-famous Wadi Rum. With the whole team in Amman, ‘The Empire’ contingent (Maj J Black, Capt (Retd) G Christie, Capt A Rudd, Capt A Alderman, WO2 S Greenwood and SSgt J Spurgeon) all at ERE or having left the regiment had a great opportunity to catch up and reminisce. During his time at the Light Dragoons, Prince Hussein served with A Sqn over the course of a year. As 14A he deployed on exercises across North Yorkshire and was well and truly part of the A Sqn family.
When Brig A Watson, Lt Col J Harris and WO1 (RSM) A Richardson arrived, the LD contingent was complete. After an adequate acclimatisation it was time to break out the No.3 Dress and get ready for the big day. The drive to the venue itself was spectacular, the streets lined 20 deep with people wishing to catch a glimpse of the happy couple. The Wedding reception was something to behold with people queuing to shake hands and give their best wishes to the Royal Family and the incredible Jordanian pipes and drums reminiscent of Prince Hussain’s commissioning parade. The rest of the entertainment throughout the night had everyone off their feet and was televised to the nation.
We wish the couple all the best in the future and thank them for letting us be
a part of their special day.
ATJA