Page 92 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Warrant Officers’ amd Sergeants’ Mess
It has been a slow year for the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. With C Sqn SNCOs deployed to Kenya on ASKARI STORM in February, the Tuesday night drinking club took a hit with the absence of Master of Ceremonies SSgt Jeffries, unable to coerce fellow Mess Members into the bar for just one beer.
The beginning of the year also saw the remainder of the Regiment deploy on SPRING STORM in Estonia. This made it so most of the mess was deployed away, the biggest hit with the MTWO and RDMI WO2 Lillico and SSgt Dinsley both deployed, the Mess nearly went bankrupt due to the lack of alcohol being consumed.
With the Mess finally rid of the squatters from the Officers’ Mess, the Mess eventually conducted handovers of Posts with PMC moving from WO2 “tight Yorkshire man” Hirst to WO2 Greenwood. Having eventually pried the cheese on toast fund from Hirsty’s grasp, we enjoyed Chesney Thursdays again. This was short- lived as we soon realized, we would all have to take a small loan out to pay for it. The Mess thanks Hirsty for his work as PMC it is now in a better place for the future.
The first event of the year where the Mess could get together was to dine out with two fellow members. After serving 22 years the mess bade farewell to SSgt Leslie and WO2 Haystead. Both were great members and this was demonstrated in the evening with the bar being propped up till the early hours of the morning. Many a fine and toast were delivered during dinner which came to the detriment of Mr Vice Sgt Morley, who had a good innings but was sadly placed in bed early on.
Before summer leave the Regiment deployed to CATT in Germany and so did the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess. Most of the members were excited about reliving the 80s dream of the Mess life in Germany. Evenings were taken up eating schnitzels
and guzzling strong German lager as the German festival was being held in the local town. The Mess also hosted 4 Brigade staff for a buffet dinner washed down with the local tiple. Many a sore head was being tended to the next morning as the guests flew home.
With the Mess unable to get the Summer Ball done before leave due to other commit- ments, it saw B Sqn brought to task to get it done on the Regiment’s return from leave. With the damage being done over summer leave what was one more night going to hurt before the QMSI beasted us all into shape. The function was fancy dress - the theme being summer beach party, everybody dug out their Hawaiian shirt and board shorts. But the overall winners by far were WO2 Thomson and his wife Racheal, with Tomo winning best-dressed lady and Racheal best-dressed man. It was a great event enjoyed by everyone and well needed to bring the Mess together.
The Mess thanks B Sqn SNCO’s for all their effort. Special thanks go out to Sgt Buck who was instru- mental in the overall management of the event.
We also bid farewell to WO1 Duncan, WO2 Costello, WO2 Lillico, and SSgt Dinsley who
all move onto civilian
life with dine-outs
booked soon to have
a proper send-off. We
thank them for their
exemplary service to
the Regiment and the Mess, we wish them all good luck in the future.
Also, Ex RSM now Capt “Anthony,
not Twinny” Richardson has moved onto pastures new and is a fully-fledged T-officer. Many have said that his broad Middlesbrough accent has changed and can often be
found drinking Earl Grey and reading TS Elliott in his brand-new tweed jacket. The Mess would also like to thank him for his constant commitment to the mess during his time in it, wishing him luck in his new Mess. But to be honest it is probably the officers that
need the luck.
With all those leaving we welcome the return of WO2 Mallinson from his holiday/ posting in
Cyprus.
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