Page 162 - The Chapka 2016
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160 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
 Lieutenant Colonel Mark ‘Mally’ Davies MBE
Lieutenant Colonel Mally Davies joined as a boy soldier at Bovington JLR in 1976 and was posted to the 17th/21st Lancers in 1978.
He spent his formative years in C Squadron,
where he excelled in all facets of Regimental
life; his competence and professionalism, both
in camp and in the field, earnt him a swift pro-
gression through the ranks and his football
ability secured a regular place in the Regi-
mental team. Mally followed the traditional crewman/commander route on Chieftain and
Challenger 1, and after completing his Troop
Sergeant role was posted to the AFV Gunnery
School as an SSI. Returning to Regimental
Duty, he completed a tour as a Troop Leader in
D Squadron and SQMS before promotion to
Warrant Officer. He took a second tour at the
Gunnery School as an SSMI, forming the CR2
CAT team which developed the Training and
Analysis suites. Mally returned to Regimental Duty (now the Queen’s Royal Lancers), to become Squadron Sergeant Major of A Squadron and on promotion to WO1 moved back to Boving- ton as RSMI ATDU where he championed the CR2 Productivity and Reliability Growth trials. He was posted back to RD to take on the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major in 1998, prior to receiving a Commission in Dec 1999.
As a Late Entry Officer Mally completed the appointments of Regimental Career and Management Officer, Second-in-Com- mand D Squadron and SO3 G3 Training at Headquarters 1st
(UK) Armoured Division, leading to promo- tion and SO2 appointments as Quartermaster at Regimental Duty and OC Baghdad Support Unit, for which he was awarded a QCVS. He also served as SO2 G1, 15 (NE) Bde, before re- turning once again to assume the appointment of HQ Squadron Leader at the Queen’s Royal Lancers.
Having achieved notable success at Regimen- tal Duty and ERE, Mally then moved on to take up the appointment of desk officer for Loan Service in MOD, initially as an SO2 then SO1 after promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, Mally subsequently moved to Glasgow for his final appointment; SO1 Soldiers and Late En- try Officers at APC, during which time he was awarded the MBE for outstanding service to the Regiment and wider Army. On his retire-
ment from regular service in July 15, Mally was appointed the Chairman of The Royal Lancer Old Comrades Association and helped shepherd them through the amalgamation. Having relin- quished the role of Chairman at the Royal Lancer OCA in De- cember 16, Mally, accompanied by Mary - his wife of 36 years - settled in North Yorkshire to contemplate his next move. Mally led from the front, is held in high esteem by all who know him, and set the standard for all young soldiers to follow. We wish him good fortune in whatever he chooses to do next.
 James ‘Nobby’ Clark has the notable honour of being the first officer to commission into the newly-amalgamated Queen’s Royal Lanc- ers of 1993. He was universally loved by all. A poem penned at the time neatly encapsulates his period as a junior officer: ‘The sun is up, the day is lit and Nobby Clark is in the s**t.’
After various Junior Regimental posts, Nobby was posted to Shrivenham to learn how to be an expert in military communications and com- puter systems. James stood out from the rest of his ‘pasty’ colleagues, dressed in his usual, head-to-toe tweed outfit with polo ponies in tow. He and his two polo ponies ‘Pedigree’ and ‘Chum’ continued to not only play for the Regimental Polo team, but also the Army.
After a successful command of B Squadron, Nobby left for a more grown-up position in Land Command. After 6 months in post, his Commanding Officer quickly realised that the post was far too dull for someone of James’ calibre and one of them
would have to go: James was sent to become our man in Kenya. Supposedly a sleepy post- ing, the Army chose to switch all light role and pre-Afghanistan training to the Archer’s Post Training area. James was made Chief of Staff and was instrumental in transforming the training support group in Kenya. With his wonderful wife, Clare, they were the centre of much overseas entertainment in supporting endless high-ranking visitors. Their combined impact in East Africa was clearly so pivotal to Defence that he was firstly extended and then found another 3 posts on the continent.
Since leaving the Army, James and his family have returned to Kenya with James working for the UN in South Sudan. The Regiment has lost a real character and the Army’s footprint
in Africa will be sorely diminished. We wish him and Clare all
Major James Clark
FJO’K
 the best in their enviable life overseas.
CBCB


































































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