Page 92 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

Quartermaster’s Department
QM QM(V)
RQMS
RQMS (V) MTWO (V) MT/SNCO (V) G1098 SNCO Clothing NCO UAA
Civilian Storeman LAD Armour LAD Fitter LAD Fitter
Maj Pete Lewis Maj Brian Johnson MBE
WO2 Chamberlain WO2 Bywater WO2 Warburton WO2 Banks
Sgt Woolaston
Cpl Lane
Mrs Karen Lewis
Mr Brain Leek SSgt Risker
Mr Ade Lewis Mr Jamie Jordan
The year began with preparations for the for the annual Army Inspections comprising of the LEA in Jan 2021 and LSA&I in May 2021 all of which
were well executed and portrayed the Battalion’s procedures in a positive light. The department has supported
all deployments to various locations throughout the training calendar around various UK sites.
G4 planning had started in earnest for the scheduled overseas deployment of
Ex SAVA STAR 21 in Croatia but due to COVID 19, the brakes were put on this, and the cancelation was confirmed. Tack then switched to a Battalion deployment to WARCOP on Exercise SAXON LANCE, which included Specialist Weapons Cadres and infantry platoon training all supported by the QM’s Department. In Oct 2021 the Battalion received a Warning Order for the OTX in 2022. Ex IRON WOLF will take place in Lithuania during May 22 so again, early G4 estimates have been conducted with the team.
There have been a number of changes during the year which saw us say goodbye to WO2 (RQMS) Kev Pratt on conclusion of his 38 years of AR service and welcomed the new RQMS (V) WO2 Paul Bywater. We also said farewell
to the CO’s driver, LCpl Chris Dyer
who completed his colour service. We welcomed in LCpl Salt who arrived from 2 MERCIAN to take up the role.
Business as usual continues within the department on a daily basis, an extremely busy year for the QM’s department
who have successfully supported all
of the Battalions deployments, training and infrastructure requirements within
a COVID safe environment, the small flexible team remains agile, focused and committed, looking forward to next year’s challenges and commitments.
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Recruiting
The ever changing working environment and challenges of recruitment remain within the three Army Reserve Centre locations occupied by HQ Company. With some fantastic work from the recruitment team, attracting, nurturing, and supporting candidates & recruits throughout the recruitment & training process has seen an increased number of some 17 new soldiers taken on strength and a further
24 loaded to various phases of CMSR (21) (recruit training program). This has been a great achievement since the start of this recruiting year. We have seen nine soldiers successfully complete CIC (R) and with more forecasted the growing numbers can only bolster the company’s capability to continue supporting future operations and engagements.
2021 was also a great year for internal promotions. Pte James Cooling was promoted to LCpl, LCpl Jack Harley, LCpl Thomas Sealeaf, LCpl Bailey Wilbourne- Kay to Cpl and Sgt Andy Bolus promoted to CSgt. The year also saw some changes of personnel. In December 2020, Capt Christopher Birmingham accepted an FTRS role after deploying on OP RESCRIPT
and was replaced by Lt Luke Boxall,
from Naunton, who transferred in from 3 PWRR to take over as AT Pl Commander.
In August, WO2 Paul Bywater completed his tenure as CSM and moved across
the vehicle park to the QMs to become RQMS(V). The new CSM is the newly promoted WO2 Steve Banks. 2021 also saw the return of Pte William Parker and Pte James Freeman who both successfully deployed on OP CABRIT. The coy also had to say goodbye to WO2 Pratt and Sgt Steve
Members of HQ Coy taking a break and looking good during Canyoning in Wales
Reed who enjoyed full AR careers.
HQ Coy knows the importance of training
but also important to have fun and by way of Adventurous Training personnel have enjoyed a day away on High Ropes to build confidence and a weekend building rafts and conducting canyoning activities. After this a BBQ was provided for all exercising troops. In November, the coy also took
the troops bouldering during a Tuesday evening.
We have seen nine soldiers successfully complete CIC (R) and with more forecasted the growing numbers can only bolster the company’s capability to continue supporting future operations and engagements
THE MERCIAN EAGLE