Page 89 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

LCpl Tweneboa from London on a ‘watch and shoot’
instilled that fearless ethos that is required of a MERCIAN. With more laughter than scratches, the troops enjoyed a thoroughly well-deserved time out of uniform amidst all their grafting on exercises and operations.
Due to isolation constraints linked to training overseas, the OTX planned for Croatia in September was regretfully cancelled. However, in true MERCIAN fashion, training must continue. With a quick turnaround, C Coy deployed onto Ex SAXON SCABBARD to conduct live firing ranges and TFLTT at Lydd and Hythe Ranges on the South East coast. The individual battle shooting range provided
a great test of individual and pairs fire manoeuvre skills and out troops impressed the experienced RIFLES SNCOs. Pte Henderson, who hails from Codnor in Derbyshire and Pte Draper from Stalybridge in Manchester received the best scores for both speed and skill providing an impressive accurate rate of fire on the advance and withdrawal. The GPMG range was a great hit among the troops as half had not fired it live previously and therefore the 100% pass rate achieved on the ACMT was particularly impressive.
While elements of C Coy deployed to Lydd, others carried out live firing on SA80 and Glock pistol and to compliment Bn led training, the coy has carried out its own training to maintain individual readiness.
As the year progresses, the requirement
to be competent is always a priority as various taskings crop up which require our reservists to deploy with tight timelines. These activities ensure we are like a coiled spring ready to support whenever required.
As the winter months drew upon us, so did Ex SAXON LANCE. This was the Bn’ Specialist Weapons Cadres which took place in Warcop during October. Members of the coy deployed to enhance their individual soldiering abilities and to learn new skills operating support weapons with
Maj Deepe Rawji welcoming newly trained Pte Bonser from Nottingham to the coy with his rank slide
Members of C Coy conducting PT on EX SAXON LANCE in Warcop
troops becoming competent on one of either the 81mm Mortar, Sharpshooter Rifle or GPMG. The ability to operate on different weapons systems only enhances our operational employability.
As the year drew to a close, C Coy conducted a Remembrance Parade in November in the Mansfield area. C Coy personnel paraded around the town centre whilst individual SNCOs and Officers paraded at other regimental locations
in order to pay their respects and lay Regimental wreathes.
We have also had 2Lt Mackney from Derbyshire, Cpl Etches, LCpl Boycott and Pte O’Leary from Mansfield all mobilise in support of the Scottish Ambulance Service on a MACA tasking. This has involved supporting the Covid mobile testing units (MTUs) in Scotland and we look forward
to having them back from their short-term deployment.
Our congratulations go to our recently promoted soldiers who have substantiated in rank or been selected for promotion. Cpl Ventress from Worksop, LCpl Martland, LCpl Shenton and LCpl Dawes who all hail from Nottingham have been successful. Cpl Noble from Newark was also presented with the outgoing OCs award of most valuable contribution to the coy. Having mobilised as an ATG instructor at Grantham and having completed various range qualifications and the tactical intelligence foundation course Cpl Noble has enjoyed an outstanding year.
Another outstanding personal achievement is that of Cpl Rob Clark,
who hails from Lincoln who has been representing the Army in Powerlifting and is
Maj Deepe Rawji presenting Cpl Noble from Newark with the Coy’s Most Outstanding Contribution award
currently the Army’s Deadlift Champion for his weight category. We have bid farewell
to Lt ‘Ben’ St Clair Gray, who is currently
at RMAS on the Regular Commissioning Course and we welcome 2Lt ‘Jack’ Poade who hails from Penkridge, Staffordshire, who joins us from EMUOTC and Sgt Reah, and Cpl Baxter, ex-regulars who bring to the coy a wealth of experience.
Throughout this year, the recruitment effort has continued unabated, and my personal thanks go to the coy team of
Sgt Boyle, Sgt Orton, Sgt Hardy and LCpl Dawes who have worked tirelessly to ensure continuity despite Covid restrictions. The team has delivered a fantastic cohort of newly trained soldiers and have nurtured their progress over this year. Since the start of the training year, we have had four CIC (R) passes with 12 transfers directly into the coy. We also have a further 36 individuals in phase 1 training, nine individuals in phase 2, and another nine individuals awaiting a place on CIC(R).
To summarise, a different type year for obvious reasons but despite the challenges presented, C Coy personnel have exercised and maintained readiness and successfully prepared, deployed and recovered individuals in support of operations. Opportunities for personal development have increased as has attendance and
my personal thanks go to the coy for their continued efforts among these testing times and for delivering results locally
and overseas. An increasing workforce, a resilient mindset and maintaining a sense of humour under adverse conditions are what epitomise the character of this coy.
2Lt Mackney from Derbyshire giving orders for an ambush in Warcop
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