Page 15 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

months in Mali was actually a pretty decent health kick. (Not that we kept it going after we got back.)
To the best of our knowledge, only five things happened outside of Camp Bagnold whilst we were away: this was at least according to Sky News, which seemed to be playing on every screen, in every room, in every building, and occasionally in your dreams for good measure. Most poignant, naturally, was the passing of the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. When the news broke, the task group was summoned by the RSM to the flagpoles in the centre of Camp Bagnold in “whatever dress state they were in.” In a defiant, but undoubtedly touching moment, not a single person did not make the effort to don their uniform and blue beret. More turbulent was the rotating door of prime ministers, chancellors, cabinet ministers, MPs, and aides from 10 Downing Street: it was hard to keep up. In the backdrop thereof, we watched the cost of living bite and the ongoing war in Ukraine rumble on. But perhaps most persistently, someone always seemed to be winning the cricket, which meant that someone else was usually losing, although not always, and for reasons that only seasoned umpires
seemed to be able to explain.
We were back in Leuchars by mid-December and fortunately pretty much all of the horrendous moustaches had been removed through fear of ridicule from loved ones on return, it was only an odd-looking tan line which remained. Before we knew it, the year was over and every soldier from B Squadron was home and on some much deserved leave. It has been an operationally focussed year which has asked a huge amount from not only those in uniform but the family and friends who have supported us, for which, I cannot thank you enough.
For me, the transition to the way of the Scotsman has been informative and is on the cusp of being complete. I continue to adjust to the language, the new affiliation to ‘bucky’ and ‘square sausage’ has been paramount in my cultural development and insight into Scottish ways. 2023 will see a churn of personalities in the squadron. I will handover to Maj Dan Lee-Mikus as OC, Captain Alex Humphries will handover to Captain Jonny Cooper as 2IC, and WO2 ‘Topper’ Harley will hand over to WO2 Grieve as SSM. I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavours.
Sgt Hutchison and his motley crew
OC B Sqn
EAGLE AND CARBINE 13