Page 37 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Headquarter Company
OC
CSM CQMS(M) CQMS (T)
Maj D Hallam WO2 J Bashford CSgt M Clarke Cpl/Sgt Bull
OC Foreword Major Doug Hallam HQ Coy with it’s G4 warriors, CIS Ninjas,
cooking connoisseurs, MT masters, intelligent intellectuals, spanner stranglers, marvellous medics, welfare wizards, reliable RAO’s department, massive gym bunnies, all knowing training wing and petrifying PROVO have continued to support the battalion in it’s Armoured Infantry (AI) conversion through this demanding year, with an amazing amount of grit and determination.
Since the last edition of the Mercian Eagle the Company has deployed on a huge variety of different tasks and events. This has included numerous gunnery camps;
both on Salisbury Plain and in Castlemartin in Wales in preparation for the BATUS deployment and to assume high readiness in 2016
In addition, during the Inter Company Strongman Competition, Sgt Thompson, RLC Chef, took the converted prize as “The Battalion’s Strongest Man,’ with
Capt Lawrence Wilson of the RAO’s Dept securing the runners up place, leading to a convincing win for HQ Company.
Alongside a well-earned Christmas leave at the end of 2014, the majority of the Company also completed two 12 mile
route marches over a 48hr period carrying in excess of 55 lbs.
After three events as part of the Earl of Chester’s Competition, HQ Coy were also sat in 1st position with 18 points, which is unheard of; C’mon HQ Company!
There have also been a number of departures from the company and we wish them well for the future:
• Capt Blackshaw - Civilian life after 20+
years.
• WO2 Barnett – Civilian life after 20+
years.
• CSgt Lavelle – Posted to BATUK.
Provo Staff Sgt Hedley As we know, the Battalion has had a
very busy period of months from the amalgamation to the Warrior conversation and everything else in between. The Provo staff are no exceptions!
As 1 MERCIAN continues to form, it is the Provo staff that ensures that the battalion mould into the right “shape” as directed from the RSM.
With the honeymoon period well and truly over, it’s now back to the basics of ensuring we are all on the same wave length. Dressed smartly and correctly, marching round camp as a squad, paying the correct compliments etc... basic in- camp soldiering. However, I feel although
we have massively improved in most of these aspects, there is still a great deal to work on.
It was always going to be challenging when you form a battalion from three, you find each brings with them its little “trends.” For example; bow back of beret and not wearing belts with combat jacket. However, with our watchful eyes and correct “persuasive” methods, these are slowly being stamped out.
So, before you decide to stroll around camp like you’re at Butlins, before you decide to turn up late for parade, before you decide to be incorrectly dressed, or decide to smoke where you shouldn’t be,
all of which would attract the Provo Staff attention, just remember this:
“The Provost Sgt is a very scary man, slightly less scary then the RSM but still very scary. He holds the power of life and death over lesser mortals, his shoes and boots can not be looked at due to the danger of blindness. It is always best to avoid him
at all costs, although this is difficult, due
to the fact that he always seems to be around the minute you make a mistake, usually shouting, while pointing his stick
and detailing random passers-by to pick up rubbish. I repeat, avoid!”
Quartermaster’s Department Major Bard, Quartermaster
After the inevitable frictions of moving
to a new barracks and inheriting a new
role you would like to think things would stabilise, and perhaps slow a little - who am I kidding?!
On completion of the Mons Parade (commendably supported by WO2 (RQMS) Glynn (OC RLS)), the department embarked on the process of establishing 1 MERCIAN in Picton Barracks.
This task from the onset was always going to be challenging. However, the
QM (T) Capt Kimberlin has consistently managed to produce armour when required, for the vast array of training opportunities that arose on the build up to deployment
to Canada. This by anyone’s standards
has been a herculean task! In addition to acquiring the training fleet, the unit was also
awarded the GOCs’ nomination for most improved Equipment Care (EC).
The constant theme for all our efforts has been the ability to exercise expeditionary ability under the ever watchful eye of
WO2 (RQMS) Long. Mr Long was tasked with supporting Exercise ALLIED SPIRIT
1, a multinational exercise in Hohenfels. The concept behind it was to practice interoperability with the US Army and other nations. Fortunately, the frustrations of Europe in winter and ever changing scenarios never seemed to phase the steady hand of the RQMS.
The department now has the added capability of an RLC First Line Optimisation Team, and this comprises of four soldiers lead by an SSgt. The team has settled in
well adding depth and experience to the department.
The department goes from strength to strength, althought it has gone through significant change with its manning and has lost the following so far:
Capt Kimberlin MC – To ICSC on promotion (Aug 15).
WO1 (RSM) Davison – To RHQ, who has subsequently returned to take over the Bn.
WO1 (RSM) Long – To the Support Weapons School, Warminster.
WO1 (RSM) Glynn – To Yorkshire Officers Training Regiment, Leeds.
We have/will inherit:
Capt Jones – To assume the post of QM (T) WO2 (RQMS) Hopkins – RQMS (M)
WO2 (RQMS) Redfern – RQMS (T)
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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