Page 42 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

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1 MERCIAN Tug Of War (TOW) Major Doug Hallam OC HQ Coy & OIC TOW
After completing my tour as QM
2 MERCIAN, I was posted to 1 MERCIAN as OC HQ Company. During my initial new arrival interview with Lt Col Ellwood MBE in June 2014, he mentioned the words “OIC sport.” Initially I thought here we go “Boxing” but it was not to be. Tug Of War he said!
I didn’t know a thing about TOW, apart from “8 men on a rope”. For all the rules and regulations I had to turn to Google. After the reconnaissance to Picton barracks, Bulford, I discovered that the camp had no TOW facilities.
We had no team or equipment; therefore I had to generate some interest by holding an open day under the supervision of 19 Regt RA (who were current Army champions
at the time). The team was selected, but still we had no kit. However, following 10 months of organisation and an initial outlay of funds, we have a team that can train and compete.
1 MERCIAN were then informed by the Army Tug Of War association, that we would have the honour of sponsoring the Infantry Championships on 27 May 15. As with all new initiatives, attendance was a little disappointing but the units that were represented enjoyed an excellent day
640KG Winner: 640KG Runner Up: 680KG Winner: 680KG Runner Up:
2 MERCIAN
1 MERCIAN
1 Coldstream Guards 1 MERCIAN
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
of fierce competition. The results of competition are below:
the
On 3 June 15, 1 MERCIAN entered “The Gunner Pull”. This is an event that every Royal Artillery unit has to enter a team and we used it as a good training event, coming away with a couple of victories.
During this event, the battalion was invited to the Braemar Highland Games, to pull in front of The Queen and 15,000 spectators.
We are now a fully established team and are on the Army circuit. If there are any clubs or events that you would like us to pull against, please drop me a line on: 1MERC- HQCOY-OC@mod.uk
560KG Winner: 560KG Runner Up: 600KG Winner: 600KG Runner Up:
1 Royal Irish 1 MERCIAN 2 MERCIAN 1 Royal Irish