Page 52 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
in Bovington. Evidently unaware of Sgt Scammells RSO’s recommend...
To the amusement of Cpl Rodgers, Sgt Scammell was the only one unfortunate enough to be stuck down by the dreaded bug (courtesy of Cpl Liddell), likely as punishment for not getting us on the AT package that got “trapped” in a safari lodge for 3 weeks. This was redeemed when we finally got our vehicles and immediately launched onto an extensive period of “driver training” which at least allowed the team to see the local sights (and finally get some fresh food). Cpl Holmes proved to be our very own Del Boy trotter, and promptly haggled the locals out of every carving in a 10 mile radius.
Driver training and isolation complete, we set off to Archers Post for the first phase of
the exercise. We were to be split into pairs and each responsible for constructing and managing a village staffed by LECs acting as civpop for the exercise. Covid restric- tions limited the number of LECs present, and we suddenly found ourselves short of Cpl McDonnell to the PRT. However, we adapted and overcame, becoming G4 links for the OM teams on each of our battle lanes. Replens and admin runs became the order of the day. This allowed our small team to have a big impact, and allowed Cpls Rogers and Howlett to conduct exten- sive recces for fresh scran, showers and phone signal like proper professional recce soldiers.
With Archers Post complete, we then conducted a move to Liakipia, which had its own challenges, driving up and down some spectacular terrain, and getting to
Last sunrise
make up for the lack of AT thanks to the huge amount of wildlife and scenery on site. With the villages built and ex in full swing, Tpr Handley introduced some hun- gry engineers to the perks of having a cav soldier on hand, and Tpr Thorley seized the crown of most honking trotters thanks to his dubious footwear choice of vibram five fingers. The Laikipia phase came to an abrupt end due to large scale bush fires, where we assisted in ferrying troops to safety. On return to BATUK there were some delays to flights (are you even flying RAF if there isn’t a delay?), and less than gentle swabbings from Kenyan medics. Overall the troops made the best of a sub par situation, and came away with some good dits and better carvings.
DS
‘Manscaping’
‘Driver training’
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