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4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Unloading stores on
Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER
RLS for Ex SUNDERLAND BAYONET. The two-week infantry-based exercise saw the Dept mastering the basic skills and drills of section attacks as well as BCD (battlefield medical) training, whilst ensuring deployed personnel out on the exercising area were replenished with essential equipment and rations to operate effectively.
On return from Ex SB 22, the department had to work around the clock to ensure 88 Bty Gun group were correctly equipped prior to their deployment to Estonia on Op CABRIT. Bdr Adams and LBdr Tate took the lead to ensure all weapons, night vision sights and CES were in good order and any unserviceable equipment was replaced through the supply chain, while Bdr Watson oversaw the unit’s radios, ensuring all technical accounts were in good order prior to handing them over to 2 RIFLES’ Quartermaster. Finally, LBdr Cook facilitated the delivery of all required vehi- cles for the deployment. All this work was done under very tight time constraints. It was an exceptionally busy period in the Tech Dept which saw every member of the Dept “digging out blind” to ensure 88 Bty got out of the door in good order.
The rapid and unexpected deployment of 88 Bty on Op CABRIT saw Ex SUNDER- LAND DAGGER 22 take on a new shape. Originally planned for 4 weeks in 3 phases, it took the shape of a two-week period on Otterburn Training Area with a mix- ture of live firing and battlecraft syllabus. This gave the department an opportunity to hone their fieldcraft skills, navigation, sustainment in the field and the orders process to a high standard. The exercise also saw the department pioneer a new concept of delivering ammunition tacti- cally to a sub-unit called the ‘Dead Letter Drop,’ where the resupply was delivered to a given grid reference rather than directly to the receiving subunit. This tested every-
one’s ability to map read, and their aware- ness of convoy discipline and the tactical situation while still maintaining the depart- ment’s primary role.
Finally, the Technical Department has seen significant changes with many com- ing and goings of key appointments and would like to congratulate the following on their promotions and wish them all the best in their new appointments: Capt M Graham (now Maj), WO2 (RQMS) Cloud- sdale, RFM SSgt Ryan (now MTWO), SSgt Gharti Maghar (BQMS), Sgt Watson (QM M), Bdr Tate (BQMS 2IC), Bdr Cook (MT 2IC) and Bdr Adams.
Maj Mark Davis RA
Maj Stephen Wilson RAChD WO2 Scott Campbell
Mr Richard Herschell-Smith AWS Mrs Kelly Eason
Old Guard, New Guard
Maj Mark Davis RA arrives from his appointment as SO2 Gunnery Staff to assume the role of Welfare Officer. We also see the departure of WO2 Mike Cart- wright, who moves to RQMS, replaced by WO2 Scott Campbell, arriving from 19 Regt RA. Finally, Sgt Meg Lee retires after twelve years of exemplary service, and Bdr Junior Wilson after twenty-two years of loyal service. The department was delighted to receive an additional mem- ber, Mrs Kelly Eason as the administrative assistant.
Army Welfare Service Support
Returning from the government-directed COVID-19 lockdown, the summer of 2021 welcomed the return of our AWS activities scheme to Carlton Lodge in nearby Carlton Miniott, which gives the children a chance to take part in a plethora of outdoor activi- ties away from their home environment and challenges them physically and men- tally. The scheme also gives them confi- dence in themselves, and it was great to have this event back up and running after a lull due to the pandemic. Another initia- tive was the series of youth club activities launched by Richie Herschell-Smith, one of our fantastic Army Welfare Service com- munity support workers. These activities were designed to develop young people develop their personal, social, and educa- tional skills. The programme included the opportunity to learn basic survival skills as part of the outdoor forest school, as well
as outdoor sports like rock climbing and kayaking at East Barnby Outdoor Edu- cation Centre, near Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast.
Children’s Halloween Party
October 2021 saw the return of the Chil- dren’s Halloween Party for the first time since 2019. With a little effort and creativity, the department was able to transform the Fourth Dimension Community Centre into a spooky party venue. The night was well attended, and all the kids made a fantastic effort with their costumes.
Santa on the Patch
In the run-up to Christmas 2021 the wel- fare team, in with the help of the Thirsk Rotary Club, contacted Father Christmas and negotiated his aid for an activity now known as “Santa on the Patch”. Arriving with a host of elves and in a superbly dec-
Welfare Department Maj Mark Davis RA
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