Page 42 - QDG 2023

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Padre
My first year with QDG has flown by and I am really enjoying working with everyone at the regiment as we fly into my second year. 2023 started for me on retreat in North Wales – time for clergy to get together and focus on worship and prayer life and I was joined by my colleague Padre Adele from the Army Air Corps. On my return my main effort was to get the church on camp up and running and I commenced the first services in church for years.
In February the Army stopped again to take part in Op TEAMWORK and A Squadron used the church for their day’s activities and the space worked really well.
I was awarded my first regimental leek on St David’s Day by the RSM then took part in the day, the main event of course being the raw leek eating, which was disgusting! But a really good day. Later in March saw a visit
They walked into a bar and the barkeep said...
Egg hunt followed by an Easter Parade, our children showing off their Easter bonnets that they had made with their families and friends. Later in April I visited A Squadron on Salisbury Plain –
getting stuck in London on the way!
In May, of course, our King and Queen were crowned and we had a church parade from camp and our very own street party held outside the Officers’ Mess, which was a super afternoon.
In June the Rev Rachael Dines commenced in her role as Rector at Swanton Morley and we very much enjoy working together.
Probably the highlight of the year for me was in July when I brought SSgt Craig Ellis RAPTC (then QMSI) to confirmation. The Bishop of Lyn agreed to conduct the service at our own church on camp and Mr Ellis was joined by friends and family
as well as the Commanding Officer and his wife. It was a truly wonderful occasion and should anyone want to find out more about confirmation – please do come and see me.
Another exciting opportunity arose for me to represent the regiment when I was invited to preach at the Guards Chapel – however this was a tough gig with a tricky audience – I hope that box is now ticked!
In September I finally deployed and visited A Squadron in Germany – a busy but great few days and later that month returned to Salisbury Plain to visit C Squadron.
November saw of course the visit of the Princess of Wales – I have never met royalty before and this was truly exciting- then of course the sombreness of our Remembrance service and parade which led into the joy of Christmas.
QDG – what a year – always all in my
to Sandown Park and a
day at the races for the
Gold Cup – Miss Spicer the
biggest winner of the day!
A busy month also saw the
baptism of my first children
on camp where the Rose
family joined me at Swanton
Morley church – it really was
a beautiful day! Please do
come see me if you want
your children baptised, it’s
very special! I was joined
on camp with Rev Kirsty Allan for a Mess Day which involved some shooting – she turned out to be the shot of the day, having had no previous Army training!
Easter on camp saw a service in the church for the children with an Easter
this was a tough gig with a tricky audience
prayers.
ACW (Padre)