Page 49 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
An LDs pillowcase is raised on Mt Kenya
Getting back to the cavalry roots on safari
CPERS drills, MERT ran medical train- ing, and NCOs from within the platoon ran their own training serials.
With a rotation of five days on – five off, there was plenty of time for everyone to get out and explore Nanyuki and travel around Kenya. Each multiple organised two big trips, one
to Mombasa, where they
treated themselves to
five days of sun, sand
and suspicious cock-
tails; whilst the other
went to Nairobi. Having
not quite shaken off the
nickname ‘Nairobbery’ it was
touch and go whether everyone would make it back in one piece, something which Tpr Tamplin tested out for himself. With half the group having donated their
Cpl Aitkins takes a break from drinking tea
phones to a nightclub in Nairobi, and Tpr Smith indulged her passion for feeding dangerous animals, both trips made for a good respite from the confines of camp.
These trips weren’t the only activities that the platoon organised for themselves. Smaller day trips to local safari parks, an animal orphanage, a riding safari alongside white rhinos and a few days in a local safari lodge all featured. In Nanyuki itself, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained, with a multitude of clubs, bars and restaurants, and all at very low prices. There was even an expe- dition up Mt Kenya, consisting of Sgt Johnston, Cpl Newton, LCpl Pettifer, and Tprs Westmacott, Owens and Hardman,
Canyoning AT
Ascent to the summit
who summited Lenana, Mt Kenya’s high- est non-technical peak.
At the end of our time, everyone in the Platoon enjoyed a three-day, multi-activity AT package. Not the usual hill-walking and mountain biking package that most have done in the UK, but canyoning, a mountain bike safari, and white-water raft- ing (an experience from which Tpr Davies might never recover).
The FP rotation ended with the BATUK Commander presenting Commander’s Commendations to LCpl Taafe and Tpr Wheeler, and Commander’s Coins to Tprs Smith, Ora, Dixon and Westmacott. The platoon flew home with all its members having given the very best impression of the regiment and made the most out of its time in Kenya.
WM
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