Page 77 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 75
Regimental Christmas Day and
Coronation medal parade 2024
December 4, 2024, was a day to
remember for 1st The Queen’s Dragoon
Guards, as they pulled off a Corona-
tion Medal Parade and Regimental
Christmas Day with military precision
and festive flair. Guests of honour Brig-
adier Dave Glendenning and Brigadier
Alan Richmond were on hand to present
Coronation Medals, Long Service and
Good Conduct Medals and Regimental
Awards.
Despite the biting cold, the parade was
a spectacle of discipline and grandeur. A
mix of A Squadron, HQ Squadron, and
the full might of B Squadron fell in under
the flawless leadership of Cpl Jones and
the Farrier Major. The setup, impeccably
organized by QM Capt John Davies and
his team, was made even more stirring
by the band, who played on valiantly as
fingers and toes froze.
Brigadier Glendenning’s speech was
a rousing highlight, confirming the
QDG’s status as the busiest and most
deployed unit in the British Army. Adding
an international note, Col Volodymir of
the Armed Forces of Ukraine expressed
heartfelt gratitude for the Regiment’s
contributions to OP INTERFLEX—a
poignant reminder of their global impact.
The day shifted seamlessly from
military precision to festive fun with
the Regimental Christmas Dinner. In a
time-honoured reversal of roles, Officers,
Warrant Officers, and Seniors donned
aprons to serve JNCOs and Troopers.
The VIPs joined in, and Padre Whorton’
s rendition of The Twelve Days of
Christmas left everyone breathless with
laughter—save for a certain CoR group,
who needed an encore to redeem them-
selves!
Meeting up for the first time since basic training
The evening descended into merry
chaos as traditions came alive: Troopers
belted their way into the Cpls’ Mess,
Seniors sang their way into the Officers’
Mess, and Officers had to croon their
way back.
Meanwhile, those deployed on OP
INTERFLEX weren’t forgotten. Thanks to
QM(T) Capt Dale Thomas, they enjoyed
a Christmas feast at Wathgill, complete
with civilian supporters.
All in all, the QDG proved they can
juggle drill and revelry with equal flair,
showcasing the camaraderie and dedi-
cation that define them. Here’s to another
year of making it look easy!
MAR
1DRS Bde Commander speaking to Dragoons
Eyes right!
Regimental Awards