Page 121 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Welfare Of ce
A busy start to the year completing the move to Wiltshire has not abated, the Welfare Of ce has supported the Battalion deployment to Estonia, using it as an opportunity for hosting a greater number of events than usual. Sunday dinners and family BBQs have become commonplace with more and more of our families attending each event, providing a fantastic opportunity to get to know each other and the welfare team. Discos for the kids, face painting, and magicians are just some of the regular enter- tainment on offer. A visit to Cholderton’s Farm was a chance to watch pig racing and other activities included an enjoyable climb over the high ropes. A Bombay Sapphire Distillery trip aimed at the bigger kids went well, with an inspiring cocktail lesson to nish. Paultons Park proved to be a fantastic day
out with lots of rides and some unusually pleasant British weather. After some of the rides there were de nitely a few family members looking a little green on the ride home. We also celebrated Salamanca for the rst time since leaving Germany, combining with some of our new neighbours 3 Divisional Signal Regiment. There were rides, food and beer, accom- panied by a band and music provided by 3 DSR. We are now bedding into our new home, which is not to say Germany isn’t missed, especially at this time of year, however, we’ve now moved on and still retain the fond memories. We now look forward to more activities for families with all members of the Battalion back in Bulford.
Sjt Marsh
Corporals’ Mess
In what has been a fairly busy year for the Battalion the Mess has been reasonably quiet. Following the unit move to the UK, much time was spent accounting for Mess items and trying to organise replacement of broken items.
After eventually getting set up in the Bulford Mess, members have received a massive culture shock with having staff running the bar. The pinch has also been felt from moving from a tax free environment, especially when organising functions as Cpl Booth found out when putting together the Christmas function. Even facing many new hurdles, Cpl Booth still managed to dig out blind and put on a cracking function which was enjoyed by all (some more so than others...).
The new year saw the PJNCO Cadre form up in Westdown camp with exterior instructors Cpl Wills and Cpl Oliver from 2 and 3 RIFLES respectively. After a demanding course, and the best of Salisbury Plain’s weather, 62 LCpls passed off from an original 133 Rfn on the course. A special mention must go to “top bod“ LCpl Gavin Malcolm of 3 RIFLES!
As the Battalion deployed on eFP, the Mess once again became disjointed. We did manage to get together for one last time before deployment to celebrate WO1 Lush moving on to his new job and handing over his role to WO1 Young. The Mess members look forward to getting back as a unit and forming the Mess properly whilst we have the time and personnel to do so!
THE PINCH HAS ALSO BEEN FELT FROM MOVING FROM A TAX FREE ENVIRONMENT
WOs’ & Sjts’ Mess
It has been yet another frantic but enjoyable year in the Mess. After handing over the duties of Op TEMPERER to the Royal Welsh, we began to ramp up the efforts for the rst deployment to Estonia by the British Army on Op CABRIT.
Op TEMPERER delayed the Christmas Ball until January. Organised by WO2 Shaun Held, it was the rst time that a Mess had a function in a school. Surprisingly it tted the bill perfectly. Rather than trying to change the Christian calendar and shift Christmas to January, the Mess had a “winter ball” instead. After such a hectic period everyone was able to relax with their partners, and it proved to be an entertaining and fun way to start the year. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing WO2 Darren Gornall trying to break dance, his wife quick to remind him that at the tender age of 42 he cannot continue to try to spin on his head without embarrassing them both.
February arrived and it was time for WO1 (RSM) Tim Lush to move on. The WOs’ and Sjts’ Mess is very grateful for all the hard work he put into the Mess and the Battalion, and he will be greatly missed as he moves to the Dark Side via Force Troops Command. At the same we were pleased to welcome new RSM WO1 Neil Young.
It was only right that with the changeover of RSMs that we should hold a Regimental Dinner, Fortunately, or unfortunately, whichever way you want to look at it I had the honour of organ- ising this event. The night went really well apart from Sgt Graham Jackman RLC forgetting that you have to rehearse the Regimental marches prior to the event - if you don’t you could look rather silly in front of the RSM. It was probably the rst time that the mess had seen the RSM actually let his hair down, solely because he had now handed over, which was good to see.
On the night a few Silver Bugles were given out for individuals who had served their 22 years or more. On the list was WO2 Shaun Wilkins and the RSM himself. Overall, a great night with great people. Good luck to Shaun who now starts life on Civilian Street.
The LIMS (Living in Mess members) had a restrained night out in Salisbury, organised by CSjt Paul Nancollis. It reminded us how important it is just to get together occasionally and relax. Something we plan on doing more often as a mess on our return from Estonia, when mess life is set to resume with vigour!
WO2 (RQMS) D Edwards PMC
THE RIFLES
FIFTH BATTALION 119