Page 42 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

40 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess
The past year has been an eventful yet
upheld and maintaining the bonds of
during the commanding officers dine
challenging year for the Warrant Officers’
friendship that define the mess.
out. The occasion, both celebratory and
and Sergeants’ mess which due to oper-
‘Tuesday club’ remains in full effect
reflective as mess members gathered
ational commitments has seen more
with many members regularly making an
to honour his leadership and contribu-
comings and goings than a cheap hotel
appearance, if not only to get together
tions to the regiment. It was an evening
[ed: their words not ours!]. At anytime
but also be schooled at darts and pool
to remember, mostly down to the antics
large portions of the mess have been
by Sgt Dave ‘180’ Watson and Sgt ‘220 all
of SSgt ‘Trig’ Trudgill who luckily was
absent supporting operations such as:
pockets’ Davies. However, the first main
carried home by a young officer, much
Op Cabrit (Poland), Op Elgin (Kosovo),
event of the year was Waterloo 209 where
to the surprise of his wife who awoke to
Op Shader (Iraq) and Op Interflex (York-
despite valiant efforts from all present,
them stumbling up the stairs.
shire). At times the mess has felt more
both the Rugby and Cricket trophies
After a period of leave and with the
like a ghost town than the beating heart
were relinquished to the Officer’s mess.
return of B Squadron from Op Poland,
of the regiment. Yet, as always, we have
As always, the evening was a textbook
the mess once again rallied together to
rallied, laughed, and made the most
blend of tradition, history, and ques-
host generations weekend which was a
of our time together. With many of the
tionable games. A fitting tribute to the
standout event. An opportunity to show
mess’s finest members deployed, those
Regiment’s rich history and an opportu-
off the regiment to family members
left behind were left with the unenviable
nity to reflect on the legacy of those who
and friends. The weekend began with
task of making their way through the
fought before us. Shortly thereafter, the
welcome drinks in the mess on the Friday
bar stock! As well as stepping up where
mess bid a fond farewell to the outgoing
evening where, all present were treated
necessary to ensure traditions were
commanding officer Lt Col Kierstead
to a drunken version of Calon Lan by
See no evil, speak
no evil, hear no evil...
Heavy coaching was required to
ensure the WOs could shoot straight
Beards, no beards and no hair
The officers winning AGAIN