Page 6 - 4RA 2021-2023

Ex SUNDERLAND BIMBLE
In May 2022 soldiers from 4RA supported a charity Fundraising and Navigational Exer- cise (NavEx) across the Yorkshire 3-Peaks: Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y- Ghent. During this exercise the Quarter- master’s team under the direction of unit catering manager SSgt Gurung provided feeding and refreshment to the exercising troops. It was a successful event and very rewarding for the QMs department and all that took part.
Falklands 40th Reunion
On 27th May 2022 the Regiment held a reunion commemorating the 40th anni- versary of the Falklands War. In prepara- tion for the event, the Quartermaster’s department ensured that all soldiers tak- ing part were properly supplied with the correct ceremonial dress and equipment. In addition to providing service support, LBdr Pattinson and Gnr Syddall from the QMs department were selected to take part in the Regimental marching parade. The parade was a great success and all the hard work put in did not go unnoticed.
Ex SUNDERLAND RAMBLE 22
Ex SUNDERLAND RAMBLE took place on 7th Nov 2022 in the Yorkshire Dales. It was a fast 10km booted run and walk across mixed terrain, including paths, marshland, scree and slopes (both up and down!). The Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest public house at 1,732 feet (528m) above sea level, was the scenic finishing point, where the chefs awaited the crowd with big smiles, hot drinks and food.
Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER 22.1
(2-24 FEB 2023)
For three weeks in February 2023 the Reg- iment deployed on a live firing exercise to Otterburn training area. The Regiment’s A1 and A2 Echelons under Captain Barnes RA (QM Tech) worked together with the
Quartermaster’s Department on Ex SUN- DERLAND DAGGER to support their preparing the salvage for back loading. The combined effort from both Echelons made light work of an otherwise massive task, allowing the fighting troops to focus on their tactical and technical training. Another successful exercise, and a clear case of logistics in action enabling punch in the Fighting Fourth’s fist.
Sports
Amidst all the exercises and operational deployments, members of the department also contributed to Regimental Sport. LBdr Keating represented the regiment as a member of the RAFC’s women’s squad, putting in a sterling performance for the team against the Royal Signals FC in the Lily Parr League match in May 2022 to remain top of that league. The Regimen- tal volleyball team which included SSgt Gurung (team captain), Sgt Springett, LCpl Andrea and Gnr Rokosusu took part in the Army knockout stages which were held in February 2023 at Harrogate Col- lege. The competition was fierce, but the team made it through and managed to secure a place in the Army championships in March 2023. The pool games were quite intense but the team registered victories against 22 Signals Regiment, 30 Signals Regiment, Queen’s Gurkha Engineers and going on to finally defeat 2nd Battal- ion Royal Gurkha Rifles at the semi-finals to secure a spot in the final against the
Pte Katalau receiving his first Army U23 cap
reigning champions of 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles. Despite a hard-fought final, the team narrowly missed the title, finish- ing a well-deserved second place in the league. In Rugby Union, Pte Katalau of the catering section was selected for the Army under 23s team for his outstanding per- formances on the pitch: we expect great things from him!
Farewells and new arrivals
We have said goodbye to a few of the team since the last article was put to print and just as some have left, new faces have joined the team. We move onwards and upwards wishing those departing mem- bers of the department and their families the warmest of farewells and good luck for their future endeavours. To those that join the team, we wish a hearty welcome and a new start. All those that have left our team are worthy of mention, but for the sake of brevity I would be amiss not to mention the loss of our clerk of works, Mrs Helen Schofield. A larger-than-life character with a wealth of experience and a terrific work ethic, Helen will be sorely missed. She moves on to complete her studies at uni- versity: we thank her for everything she has done during her time at the depart- ment and wish her every success in the future. As always, when one door closes another opens, and the department have been fortunate to have Mrs Hoedoafia join the team as Helen’s successor as clerk of works. Mrs Hoedoafia has made an imme- diate impact, and we are glad to have her on board.
Looking ahead
As the Regiment prepares to assume a number of critical operational and train- ing obligations, including UK Standby Battalion, Europe’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) and exercises as far afield as Kenya and Oman, the Depart- ment remains focused on improving our professional skills and processes. We are looking forwards to supporting the Regi- ment through a busy and fast-paced few years ahead, and excited to discover what the future holds.
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
4RA Volleyball team at the Army championships pictured alongside the champions RGR
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