Page 90 - RSDG Year of 2023

88 EAGLE AND CARBINE
HOME HEADQUARTERS
Maj JMK Erskine MBE
2023 has been a relatively quiet year for Home Headquarters, although the routine activities of coordinating meetings, sending out notices, being the focal point for Individual Aid requests and other questions has not abated. No major regimental events have taken place which have directly involved the Headquarters although the announcement that His Majesty The King was to become our Colonel in Chief on 11 August 2023 was met with great excitement by the whole of the Regiment. The Colonel of the Regiment, the Commanding Officer and the Regimental Sergeant Major had an audience with His Majesty on 14 December and clarification on how the relationship will be taken forward is expected in due course.
The Regiment was the sponsor unit for the 2023 Cavalry Memorial Parade and Service which resulted in a higher than normal turn out. The Deputy Colonel-in-Chief took the salute and then joined the Regimental party for lunch in the Cavalry and Guards Club.
There has been a constant stream of potential officers showing an interest in the Regiment which is excellent. Their first port of call is Home Headquarters before they are taken through the process they have to follow to be
commissioned into the Regiment. However, to whittle down the number who apply to join the Regiment to the number allowed to be commissioned into it each year is very difficult and the Colonel of the Regiment has the unenviable task of doing this.
It is worth recording the thanks of the Regiment to Mr Blair Davidson who has looked after the accounts of the Regimental Trust/Charity, the Museum and the Shop since 2012. He ensured the accounts were always kept up to date, produced the annual reports and provided advice whenever necessary. He is to be replaced by Mr John Gonnella who has helped with the Shop accounts for several years and so has a good understanding of the way the Regiment works.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of working in the Castle over the last three years has been the lack of coordination between the various organisations and units who have a vested interest in what goes on. It is hoped this will change in 2024 with the reintroduction of the Castle Working Group which has not met since before the COVID lockdown.