Page 75 - Mercian Eagle 2016

Private Lewis White receiving the Bashall Trophy 12 Sep 16
Quarter Marksmanship, practising firing at targets 3-15 metres away. In May we held a personal development weekend which covered areas that are important but often get forgotten such as the paperwork and procedures involved using military vehicles which has seen Private Martin Crowther qualify to drive a crew van (a skill which was put to use within days). In addition
the soldiers learnt about the report writing process and stores accounting finishing off with a BBQ and football match between Burma and Ghulevelt Platoons.
The Signals Platoon which has been largely dormant is stepping up and pushing Signals capabilities across the Battalion. Under WO2 Voice the Signals PSI and
WO2 Dougie Spooner the Regimental Signals Warrant Officer, ably assisted by Sergeant Matthew (Sonic) Newell there have been Basic Radio User Cadres run and training delivered to individual Companies throughout the year.
The Javelin Platoon has been re- established with Javelin Permanent Staff Instructor Colour Sergeant Williams arriving at Kidderminster in June to take over from Colour Sergeant Brooks. Several soldiers in
Private Callum Haywood Swynnerton Jul 16
Corporal Rich Greenhill firing Close Quarter Battle – RAF Cosford – Jan 16
Burma Platoon have Javelin qualifications and operational experience and are sharing their knowledge with the Junior soldiers
in Wolverhampton. Eight soldiers from
the Company joined 2 MERCIAN Javelin Platoon to take part in a cadre in October which should see a functioning Javelin capability across both Kidderminster and Wolverhampton by the end of October.
Sports and Adventurous Training have gone well this year with 12 members of
the company gaining skiing qualifications ranging from absolute beginners starting with the basics such as snow plough through to the more experienced training
in ski touring which covers skiing up the mountain and then coming back down off piste. It was greatly enjoyed and as many as possible want to do continuation training this Winter. The Battalion football team
There was no favouritism shown and the HQ team came second, very narrowly missing out on first place.
Corporal Andy Bolus training Corporal John Lane on the Javelin Anti Tank Weapon – Wolverhampton ARC
has been coached by the HQ Company Administration Officer Captain Mark Butler and has several members of the company taking part with several good results against teams in the region. In August the Company went to Newquay for a retention weekend with the soldiers learning to surf with
most managing to stand up(although not necessarily for very long). They also took part in coasteering which saw them rock climbing just above the sea, jumping in the sea off cliffs and swimming around rocks. The Company has done great work fundraising with a variety of activities
from running a football card in the bar
after training to individuals taking part in individual and group sponsored events
such as the Coltman stretcher Race an individual race across the Wrekin organised by the Company Sergeant Major WO2 Paul Bywater. Soldiers from Wolverhampton went to the National Memorial Arboretum and the Staffordshire Regiment Museum and all donated as part of that. In all £400 was raised for the RBL and £5200 raised for the Mercian Benevolent fund plus smaller amounts for the Museum and Arboretum.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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