Page 20 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Foreword
Lieutenant Colonel MCP Ellwood MBE Commanding Officer
1 MERCIAN
As I approach the end of my tenure as Commanding Officer and reflect on the momentous and historic achievements of the 1st Battalion over the last year, I am once again humbled by the seemingly endless patience, understanding and
loyalty of our families and the unstinting professionalism and selfless commitment
of each and every officer and soldier I have had the privilege to command. Every year is a busy year, but the challenge faced by the Battalion this year was truly as demanding as it was historic. It witnessed the Battalion complete one of the Army’s most complex re-basing moves, a unit conversion to armoured infantry and a frenetic battle group collective training progression for high readiness with 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade.
From the unsung heroes of
Headquarters Company to the most exceptionally talented up and coming JNCOs, every officer and soldier has played a critical role in building a firm foundation for a very bright future. However, there
are three individuals I consider worthy of special mention. Firstly, Major Matt Bard has been much more than a mere facilitator and coordinator of the Battalion’s support function – the expected “traditional” role
of a quartermaster; he has been pivotal
to the establishment of 1 MERCIAN as
a fully operational Army 2020 Armoured Infantry Battalion. He is a force of nature and the Battalion could not have been better served at this critical stage in
its evolution. Secondly, The Battalion’s Senior Major, Major Rob Prentice was the principal architect and driving force behind the rebasing move and the Battalion’s transformation. He took a broad concept, turned it into a credible plan and drove
the execution process from start to
finish. Thirdly, WO1 (RSM) Dickie Page (now Capt) used his inclusive calming
influence to rapidly cement strong unit ethos and cohesion; a perfect legacy that encapsulates the warmth of his character and the strength of his inspirational leadership.
The Battalion’s achievements this year both professionally and on the sporting front are far too numerous to summarise
in this brief foreword, but suffice it to
say, the Battalion has far exceeded my expectations in every regard. It has been a long and demanding journey and I do not underestimate the personal sacrifices made along the way, but 1 MERCIAN is now stronger than it has ever been. Our future is as exciting as it is challenging and the 1st Battalion has well and truly earned its place in the Vanguard of the Army’s Reactive Force.
STAND FIRM and STRIKE HARD
1MERCIAN