Page 31 - QDG Year of 2020

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 29
Welfare
2020 has been an extremely busy year for the small Welfare team, we are currently working through our 3rd lockdown along with the rest of the Regiment and juggling another deployment on OP CABRIT. Working alongside our local schools and our very own Noah’s Ark preschool, the team, coupled with the Padre (Maj Stephen Wilson) and Bill McNiven from our WRVS, has tried to support the soldiers and their families as best we can.
The first few months of 2020 saw the Regiment deployed on WESSEX STORM relying on the Welfare staff to pick up the extra support needed back at camp, we used the PRI minibus to take children to school and those that required transport for medical appointments. The weather was good to us at this point, and this allowed families and single soldiers time in their gardens to catch some rays or to enjoy a bit of fresh air.
Shortly after this we went into the first lockdown which saw the team helping families adjust to isolation and fetching essen- tials. When the Government announced you should self-isolate if you had symptoms Sgt Green and Cpl Watson jumped into action conducting Tesco trips on what seemed like an hourly basis. Unfortunately, at this point the decision was made to close our precious preschool and the youngsters we care for had to stay home. We quickly adjusted the Welfare complex into a COVID clear zone with one-way systems and interviews
conducted outside when the weather permitted. The nail in the coffin was closing the Dragon’s Den café and not knowing when it would open again. On the plus side, the Welfare Officer lost a bit of weight.
Noah’s Ark preschool has recently opened again and is now thriving with some 24 children on their books. Rebecca and her team are doing a fantastic job constantly recruiting to keep the nursery vibrant and full of life. We now also allow children from outside the wire from the local village adding to our local engagement.
All in a great year for QDG Welfare team and the community group that supports us daily on all that we want to deliver. 2021 will hopefully bring new challenges, with the Welfare Officer Capt Jason (Butch) Davies now moving on to QM(T) and Capt Trevor Homer armed with funding from the Armed Forces Covenant can arrange an out of isolation/lockdown party that will bring the Regimental family together once again. We have also said goodbye to Sgt Louise Green and Sgt David Watson who have both left the Regiment for now but have left the running of the Welfare complex to Sgt John Hinton who brings a wealth of experience in this role and will add massive value as we gear up to our Regimental deployment.
JPD
Light Aid Detachment
A busy year for the LAD has seen tradesmen & tradeswomen supporting the Regiment on a broad range of training. The LAD provided essential equipment support throughout the exercises, ensuring the punch was kept in the QDG’s fist.
On Ex WESSEX STORM, a 25 strong LAD maintained a fleet of over 150 plat- forms above 85% availability for the entire exercise. Main Assembly repairs and replacements where completed with no shelter through two named storms. The Recovery Mechanics were in constant demand, with miserable conditions on Salisbury Plain causing considerable problems for vehicle manoeuvre. Junior tradesmen rose to the challenge, coming up with innovative expedient repairs and exemplifying the ‘Soldier First’ mantra. In the rehabilitation phase, the Fitter Sections cracked on tirelessly, even when much of the Regiment enjoyed a night out in Warminster.
As the UK went into lockdown, the LAD was tasked with raising an Op RESCRIPT
fleet. This involved mainly green fleet, which was turned around in short order. As most of the LAD repaired the broken fleet from Ex WS, A Sqn Fitter Section deployed as part of the Mobile Testing Units across various areas of the UK.
Despite Covid-19 FHP measures, the LAD persevered to maintain production and output. Briefs and training were conducted virtually, with JNCOs contin- uing to mentor Cfn on trade principles and procedures.
In September, the LAD deployed a composite Fitter Section to support Ex CASSINO ROYAL and Mullens Cup on Salisbury Plain. LAD personnel provided SME assistance to a Reserve Fitter Section from 103 Bn REME in their preparation for Op CABRIT. The Reserve Fitter Section performed extremely well on the MRX and are doing an excellent job in Poland which has proven the value of the REME Reserves and enhanced pairing activity.
Following the second national
lockdown, the LAD completed a gruelling charity event to celebrate St. Eligius Day, the patron saint of the REME. The charity event saw LAD personnel complete 588 Push ups; 588 sit ups; 58.8 miles on a treadmill; 58.8 miles on a bike and 58.8 miles on a rowing machine in teams of seven. Concurrently, they undertook a series of engineering challenges. Cfn Cheetham’s team was victorious and £320 was raised for the REME Charity.
The LAD now looks ahead to deploying Fitter Sections on Op NEWCOMBE 2 and 3 which promises to be the most challenging deployment currently avail- able to any REME soldier.
Cfn Murphy competing in the St Eligius Engineering Challenge
B Sqn Fitter Section deal with a bogged in Land Rover on Ex WESSEX STORM
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