Page 89 - Mercian Eagle 2013

number of the Company taking part in the Presentation of New Colours. No sooner had the new Colours been unfurled than a number of the Company, including the OC, deployed to Italy on Exercise ROMAN STAR and the opportunity to work with the Italian Armoured forces. I know the OC enjoyed himself, I am sure everyone else did as well, even if the latrines were better in the field than in barracks.
In July, Sgt Gregory, LCpl Meyers and Pte Delaney all took part in the Bn adventure Training expedition to Mont Blanc under
the RSM’s guidance. I’m sure that they ascended the peak in beautifully smart fashion, keeping in step the whole time!
In August the Company contributed to a second training team to deploy to Uganda with 2Lt Highet, WO2 Johnson, CSgt
C Company
It has been an even busier year than usual for C Company, with most personnel deploying overseas for some portion of the year. Late in 2012 the Coy and Battalion started the Foundation Training for the Deployment to OP TOSCA supporting 17 Port and Maritime as the MFR Coy. The foundation training consisted of Land Rover conversions and Team Medic Cadres. This allowed 4 members
Ward and Sgt Gregory all playing their part; 2Lt Highet getting special mention for his cowardice in the face of a praying mantis, which to my knowledge are very rarely man eaters. No sooner were
In career terms, the Company has achieved much; Lt Patrick Highet and Cpl Mason completed the Platoon Tactics Course at Brecon and Sgts Harrison and
the team back than
it was time for a very
successful Adventurous
Training package based
out of Capel Curig in
Wales. The fact that
it rained was of little
consequence given
the very wet nature
of the training; White
water rafting and an underground climbing trip through an old slate mine saw little requirement for the Sun!
National Life Guard Instructor a skill that has equipped him well for his Deployment to Cyprus. C Coy deployed 9 members to the MFR and A/Maj Polglase deployed as a MOLO with 17 P&M to OP TOSCA in early Mar 2013.
In Oct members of the Coy deployed on OP VIKING STAR (Denmark) to support the Royal Mercian Lancastrian Yeomanry
Mahr, Cpl Liam Wood and Pte Manton all completed the next stage of their Mortar Career courses. Congratulations are also due to Pte Capper who successfully completed an NCO cadre over the summer.
On a personal note due to CSgt Ward and
The fact that it rained was of little consequence given the very wet nature of the training...
congratulations are
Sgt Musiol and their respective wives on the arrival of new babies to change their domestic stag rosters!
of the Coy to deploy
to 38 Bde in Northern
Ireland (NI) to complete
the Public Order
Course. CSgt Hill
went on to complete
the Proficiency and
Instructors Course
held in Germany. The newly qualified team then deployed to Longmoor training area to put 17 P&M through their Public Order package. The Coy took advantage of
the Life Guard training that was available, with Pte Biggs going on to qualify as a
(RMLY), most deployed as exercising troops, while Sgt Orton deploying as part of
the Permanent Range team. On 2 occasions over the last 12 months C Coy deployed a small team to support
the Battalion’s effort on OP BLACKWELL, The Short Term Training Team deployed
to Uganda in Nov 12 and again in Aug 13. The purpose of the deployment was to train elements of the Ugandan Peoples Defence Force prior to deployment to Somalia.
Not only were the deployments a great opportunity to showcase the British Army’s training acumen but they also offered great adventure training possibilities. The OC still has the scars from his white water rafting down the Nile.
April saw the return of the OC and
Pte Ventress from Op HERRICK 17,
with 1 MERCIAN. The tour gave Maj Massingham a chance to showcase his Powerpoint animation skills as well as increase the density of his grey hairs whilst closing bases and counting Bowman cables. Pte Ventress on the other hand was at the sharper end of operations at PB FOLAD. On return the OC was immediately thrown out of his comfort zone as he
was called upon to perform duties with the Colour Party on the presentation of
Sgt Woodward and Pte Pearson in difficulties again
Pte Hindley receives a cheque from North Notts College
The OC still has the scars from his white water rafting down the Nile...
OC Capt Chris Massingham PSAO Capt James Stewart 2IC Capt Mark Polgase CSM CSgt Martin Simcox SPSI WO2 Paul Barnett CQMS(V) CSgt Jay Hill
QPSI SSgt Ian Brown
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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