Page 32 - QDG Year of 2020

30 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
SPS Detachment
2020 has been a busy yet unique year for the SPS Detachment, providing continued support to the Regiment in all exercises and deployments.
At the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic in March some of the Det were in Austria on the annual AGC Alpine Ski trip, this was cancelled after just a few days on the slopes. Our skiers were then held in self-solation, coupled with many more members of the Det also having to isolate, meant that at one point the Det was down to critical manning with just four Det members in camp to conduct the all-important RACs (Readiness Administration Checks) ready for the Regiment to deploy on various COVID taskings.
Cpl Ashley Greenwood, LCpl Robyn Purvis and Pte Katherine Clough all deployed on MTU tasks with their Squadrons. Cpl Greenwood organised two golf events; the golf Luck Cup and ‘The Longest Day’ golf endurance event, raising funds for the Macmillian Cancer Support charity. LCpl Purvis deployed on navigation training in the Peak District and the SERE exercise, which she
Twins, the remake
put in a great effort to complete. Cpl Carly Bernard co-hosted a Macmillan coffee morning in the Dragons Den. In November the Det also took part in an 11-mile weighted march on Remem- brance Day to raise money for the RBL and the QDG Benevolent Fund. The Det managed few social events in 2020 and most communication was via Skype however we did manage a games
11 mile Remembrance March
LCpl Hodgson enjoying Op CABRIT
evening which was enjoyed by all.
In July the entire Det went to Warcop to conduct ranges where the RAWO, WO2 Darren Nicholl finally passed his APWT with the help of some cross-lane
firing from the RAO.
We celebrated promotions to Cpl for
LCpl Martyn Hodgson and LCpl Hari Bakhem. LCpl Hodgson deployed on Op CABRIT and continues to provide excellent HR assistance for the operation until Spring 2021. The average age of the Regiment plummeted in September when the RAO, Capt Mark Eldridge, deployed on Op TOSCA, Cyprus, to plan his retirement in the sun. Lt Nathan Rixson took over the role of RAO with ease, ensuring that all his fellow officers mess members were never selected for audit.
The forthcoming year looks to be action packed and the Det continue to work hard to ensure the Regiment is 100 per cent ready to deploy.
We said thank you and farewell to WO2 Darren Nicholl, Sgt Shelley-Ann Berry, Cpl Glen Andrews, Cpl Thomas Brownless and Pte Sophie Fisher. We welcomed WO2 Christopher Farr, Pte Suraj Limbu and Pte Ethan Hill.
Little did they know Lt Rixson was sitting on a few £500 notes
SC