Page 75 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

On Thursday the 13 April 2017, after 10 years, 2 months, and 13 days as the SO2 for Physical Development in London District, I leave Horse Guards for the very last time and onto
pastures new. It has been a fantastic 10 plus years and a great place and environment to work in. I leave with a heavy heart but in the knowledge that if I need a ceremonial or Central London x it is only a short commute away.
There have been many highlights over the years, far too many to mention, but the standouts were my rst ever Queen’s Birthday (QBP), a real spectacle that no TV coverage gives a true sense of, the Olympics (and I don’t mean the bikini clad volley ballers outside my window ... or do I?), and the QBP on the 14 June 2014 when Trooper Harrison Chapple was at the very front of the parade, having won the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s Richmond Cup that year for the best turned out Trooper.
The view over Horse Guards Parade and St James Park
London District G3 PAT / G7 PD Appointments’ Board
My biggest regret is not sticking around long enough to beat Lt Colonel (Retired) Terry Macaree’s run of 10 years and 6 months. I thought I would be clever and have the accolade of having my name entered on the appointments’ board twice, only to realise that Colonel Terry beat me to that punch also, as did Majors Bob Monk and Andy Fisher.
My only other regret will be giving up what has been a superb view over Horse Guards Parade and St James Park.
A lot of RAPTCIs have passed through the district in the past 10 years and there hasn’t been a bad one amongst them (a couple of mediocre perhaps, but no bad ones!). A special mention must
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Major (Retired) AJ Chapple BEM
Tpr Harrison Chapple (far left) at the front of the Queens’ Birthday Parade 2014