Page 43 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 41
Sgt Canning and his father. The morning
after began with a much-needed break-
fast before heading off to the customary
stands. Despite the weather SSgt Nick
Wright delivered the clay pigeon range
with clays coming at a much higher than
usual velocity due to the wind. There
was also some great and not so great
pistol and rifle shooting by our guests,
SSgt Dave Dale unsurprisingly cleaning
up. A dinner night followed which also
included humorous yet fitting dine out
speeches from the RSM and WO2 ‘Tails’
Taylor bidding a bittersweet farewell from
the mess to WO1 Dai Chant, the ASM
WO1 Chris Fletcher, Capt Ross Hopkins
and SSgt Dave Dale. The weekend was
a poignant reminder of the importance
of family, both within the Regiment and
beyond, and a chance to showcase the
values and traditions that define the
QDG.
Prior to the year drawing to a close,
the Christmas period was still to be cele-
brated. In one of the most anticipated
and favourable nights of the year the
mess gathered to rehearse our tradi-
tional Xmas Carol and despite the best
efforts of Sgt Griffiths we were, as always
put in our place when arriving at the
officer’s mess. What followed was a great
night of drinks and laughs maintaining
the close bond between both messes.
The final event of the year was the Mess
Christmas function which was for the first
time in over a decade that has been cele-
brated outside of the camp gates. Held
at Dunston Hall hotel and gave members
the opportunity to bring along partners
and thank them for all their support in
2024. Testament to the efforts of SSgt
Jamie Chater the evening was a great
success.
Looking to the new year, the mess
looks forward to welcoming C SQN
back from Op CABRIT. Also, many mess
committee personalities will change over.
We will be saying farewell to the RSM
WO1 Ruddy who will be handing over to
WO2 Fisher before taking over his role
as RAC Sergeant Major. WO2 Taylor and
SSgt Casey will take over the roles of
PMC and PEC respectively and plans are
already in motion for numerous events
prior to what will again be a ■■■ oper-
ational period with further deployments
to OP ELGIN and Op PYSMA looming.
Regardless of which theatre of opera-
tions mess members will be deployed to
their commitment to the mess, regiment,
families, and each other will ensure that
the Warrant Officer’s and Sergeant’s
mess will remain the beating heart of 1st
The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
KT
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