Page 102 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

100 Tiddler: fish also in photo for some more, the CO then arrived for
one final drive before lunch. Presented
with his side-by-side, Colonel David
Landon was quick to make up for time
lost in the morning. With ease he blasted
his first hen-bird of the day. BAM. And
the head was gone. Marksmanship is a
driving principle in the QDG, and the CO
perfectly demonstrated his intent to his
junior Officers: one shot, one kill – for
which he was quite rightly awarded the
Pillow Case Trophy later that evening
[Ed: OC A, Maj Cowen, was awarded
the RSPB Trophy despite considerable
competition – he knows why…].
A superb day enjoyed by all, a particular
thanks must got to Mr James Keith for yet
again allowing us to shoot in the village.
Moreover, a humungous thanks to Mr
John Hassel, the Game Keeper, for all his
hard work in facilitating one of the most
enjoyable days in the Officers’ Mess
calendar. Thanks also to all those that
beated the day, your consistent berating
Another sterling day out for two
keen looking troop leaders in Quorn
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
The safest place in Norfolk for a Pheasant
of us Officers, irrespective of seniority,
really kept us sharp. I’m sure the Adjutant
would agree.
GJMW
Rendlesham Estate Shoot, Suffolk
In 2024 the QDG has once again been
hugely privileged to shoot on the Rend-
lesham estate in Suffolk, hosted by
Andrew Sheepshanks. Several serving
officers have enjoyed numerous days
throughout the season on Andrew’s
estate with more QDGs heading back
to Rendlesham in early 2025. Always
a day of great shooting and fantastic
company, it is a pleasure to maintain the
QDG’s longstanding relationship with the
Sheepshanks family.
Wednesday Afternoon Clays
SSgt Nick Wright has continued to
provide many opportunities for those
interested in shooting. His Wednesday
afternoon clay sessions offer QDGs the
time to fine-tune their already supreme
marksmanship skills. SSgt Wright himself
continues to enjoy the sporting pursuits
that Norfolk and the wider military circuit
has to offer, including attending the GOC
3UKXX’s shoot in November with Major
Cowen.
Fishing
Fishing has continued to be a favourite
Wednesday afternoon activity for both
officers and soldiers. The tranquil lakes
at Swanton Morley and Billingford have
provided the perfect setting for fly and
coarse fishing respectively, and compe-
tition has been as fierce as ever. Tprs
Baker and Gilkerson of A Squadron have
continued their healthy rivalry, with Tpr
Baker emerging as the dominant force in
fly-fishing; though Tpr Gilkerson remains
the perch-catching champion on the
Wensum. We fully encourage such noble
pursuits!
The Officers have continued to seek
out opportunities to perfect their fly cast
wherever possible. Capt. Ed Dillon, or
more accurately Capt. Dillon’s fiancée
Sophie, has done very well to repre-
sent the QDG on the Test throughout
the season. In the summer months,
attendance to the Swanton Morley lakes
remained a steadfast component of the
Officers’ Mess afternoon routine, offering
ample opportunity to relax after long(ish)
days of work.