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put together. We also had some RLC assistance on the tour. Ok so that may not be exactly true, we had some RLC with
us. Cpl Nortey from the Logistical Support Team gave us an insight into what Second Line could provide. Once we realised this was not a lot, Dava decided to take him under his wing and he is now an honorary Mercian (but remains a 2nd line gimp by association). Other ‘non-core assets’
were WO2 Andy Passam who controlled the LECs like he was Spartacus and Sgt
‘T’ Talbot whose chat up line repertoire for use on the female Royal Logistical Corps (RLC) drivers is better oiled than the trucks they were driving. Andy, Sgt T and Wicksy are all Reservists and we wish them every success in the future...when they replace us. Back in Blighty Maj Kev Fletcher was holding the fort juggling CO Rear Party
and Quartermastering duties. Sgt Terry Finlay became a civilian after more than two decades in the army and is now known as Mr Terry Finlay (RQMS Retd). He was
MT Platoon
It’s been a busy time for the MT Platoon over the last year especially during the
build up and eventual deployment on HERRICK 17. The MT was heavily engaged in the support to MST and also maintaining a footprint back in Marne supporting
the Unit Welfare Office and ROG. On deployment to Afghanistan, the MT were split between Camp Bastion and FOB Shawqat in order that the Platoon could support delivery of the required driver and vehicle platform capability for the tour. In Camp Bastion the MT detachment formed part of the QM’s ‘Gang’ managing gear
in the rear! They were commanded by Sgt (I will be back in five mins – honest!) Westmorland who was supported by
Pte (CQMS wanabee) Tuft. The team worked tirelessly to ensure the UOR fleet was maintained, supplied, repaired and replaced as required. There was no doubt that this proved at times to be a frustrating and never ending task as the tempo of operations coupled with
replaced by Sgt John Baker who did a great job of holding back the tide just long enough for our return.
saw Sgts Stokes, Gavin and Murray and Pte Wright all depart into civilian life and we wish them all the best for having their military sentence cut short. On a serious note, the year has been hugely demanding
On return Maj Fletcher has moved to OC HQ Coy whilst I have taken over the mantle of Quartermaster from
him. Capt Matt Bard,
fresh from sunning
himself at FOB Shawqat
with the rif raf in Bn
HQ, has taken over the
helm as QM (T). After
spending several weeks
reading the complex
and detailed handover
notes I gave him he tells me he is now ready for the task ahead. WO2 (RQMS) Page took over as the Regimental Sergeant Major on completion of the tour and has already started to lose some of the grey he gained as RQMS. WO2 Wayne Glynn has joined us from C Coy as RQMS (M); he is currently still smiling...but he goes on his course
next week! Tranche 3 of the redundancies
role as the unit’s green fleet manager. This was a huge work load for a LCpl but with a little guidance from the QM (T) Capt Matt Bard, Santosh soon became one of the best known and hardest working troops
in the FOB. Some other members of the MT Shawqat Detachment were seconded (stolen!) as part of CO’s TAC and here they fell under the tender leadership of the RSM (WO1 Blackshaw). Pte Bikas who was by now on his third deployment to Afghanistan was an obvious choice and performed
his role as a driver flawlessly, ensuring his vehicle was always maintained to a high standard and never letting the ‘Badge’ down. They all really enjoyed themselves and were honoured to be forming the nucleus of CO’s TAC Group, and nor did they mind when the RSM got them blown up in their beloved Husky patrol vehicles which had nothing to do with the route taken – apparently! Thankfully there was little significant damage to the vehicle or crew
and the whole of the department, both
at home and on
Ops, including those attached to us, have been outstanding in their performance and attitude. The tempo and tasks have been unrivalled for the
department and they have all contributed in some way to the success of the last 12 months. The department has achieved this with dignity, camaraderie and above all, a great sense of humour and everyone should be very proud of their collective achievements.
again. To those of you who shared this pain, we salute you....and to those of you who created that hand over and cleaning regime, we hope you are still there!
On return to UK the MT underwent a significant reorganisation due to the effects of both the T3 redundancy announcements and the natural movement of troops between posts. The MT says farewell
to Sgt Westmoreland, L/Cpl Turner, Pte Fitzpatrick and Pte Goodier who all leave the Army shortly. We also say farewell to Cpl Gurung who moves on to take over
as the MT Sgt of 2 MERCIAN in Northern Ireland. We wish them the best of fortunes for the future and hope to see them as part of the Past and Present or from time to time at the Regimental Memorial at Crich.
The MT welcomes Sgt Shirton as the new MT SNCO and LCpl Deans as the new JAMES ‘guru’ and green fleet manager (lucky boy!). Capt Clayton moves from OC FSG to take over the MT and it is fair to
say that he absolutely loves his new role
as MTO because it is the best job he has ever done. However if the CO should find
it in his heart to include him in a trawl and send him back on Ops he might not be that disappointed! Cpl Godkin now forms the backbone of residual experience within the platoon and due to his depth of knowledge, is probably the most harassed NCO in Christendom! So here we are, HERRICK 17 is history and a new MT Platoon is formed and ready for action, continuing to
provide vital support daily to the unit and wider Army as required. The tempo of commitments inside and outside the unit ensures that the men are permanently busy with lots to do, which is as it should be, one thing the MT Platoon is not, is dull!!!
The tempo and tasks have been unrivalled for the department...
MTO Capt Clayton MT SNCO Sgt Shirton
the high rate of vehicle ‘churn’, left little time for self sympathy for this small band of very busy men working behind the scenes. Despite this they continued to work like Trojans and delivered exactly what was required time and again in support of the CO’s plan, ensuring
The team worked tirelessly to ensure the UOR fleet was maintained, supplied, repaired and replaced as required.
and the RSM’s pride made a full recovery. Towards the latter
stages of the tour
the MT were required to facilitate the back loading of UOR platforms which were no longer part of the order of battle for the HERRICK commitment. This I believe proved
to be one of the most
the unit’s vehicle capability remained fit for purpose at all times in order to support the forward troops.
A second detachment was located in FOB Shawqat. L/Cpl Santosh Kaucher led the way in the fuel delivery department by being the only UST driver operator available to the FOB and also taking on a significant
challenging and painful processes the unit had to engage in. It was widely accepted by anyone unfortunate enough to have
been tasked to take a vehicle through the procedure that they would rather have spent the time walking barefoot across the desert in the midday sun whilst dodging accurate “Dushka” fire than ever have to experience it
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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