Page 76 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Marley
be made of the 7 SMIs I have had the pleasure of working with (or ‘for’, believe what you will): Trevor Bowman, Andy Halliday, Russ Clash, Kenny Pitcairn, Nick Walker, Lee Davison, and last but not least, but certainly shortest, Ian Navin. To all of you, thank you for your support and commitment to me, the RAPTCIs, and wider
District during your respective tenures, you have all added-value in one way or another. And, dare I admit it, I haven’t always been the easiest person to please, so thank you for your forbearance although I have convinced myself, or at least hope, you are all the better for it.
As odd as people will think this is, I must make a special mention to my ever faithful companion of 15 years, Marley. He has kept me sane and been great company on the commutes, the late nights in the of ce, and even the occasional unit inspection. Although he is now fraying at the edges he continues to put a lot of smiles on the faces of commuters and also work colleagues in the headquarters. Truth be known, he will probably be missed more than I will!
Anyway, this note is short but, I hope, sweet, and the very last task I have completed before I walk out of the of ce and close the door behind me.
‘Chapple ......faaaaaaaaall out!’. Uuuuuuuh .... (if I recall) turn to the right 2, 3, pause ..... Step off ...... left, right, left ...... and disperse! 
HQ LONDIST and LONDIST units continued to thrive
pitches in Windsor. The event encompassed 6 sports and an indoor rowing competition with participation from 15 units and over 300 entrants. The winning team was HCR giving the annual gloating rights to SSgt Burt. This is of course to the dismay of the other RAPTCIs; always next year SSgt Miggy! LONDIST also held a Female Festival of Sport Competition allowing the ladies from King’s Troop RHA
HQ LONDIST G7 PD
WO1 (SMI) IP Navin RAPTC
through 2016 and into 2017
under the guidance and
wisdom of Maj (Retd) Chapple
BEM now into his 11th year
and now nal months in
LONDIST. Maj (Retd) Chapple
will leave HQ LONDIST
having served the District
with utter professionalism and
commitment to the serving
RAPTCIs and units within the
AOR. He will be missed not just by the District but by the RAPTC. I write on behalf of the District, past and present RAPTCIs and those members of the Corps of his generation when I wish him and his wife Jayne all the very best for the future. He will be greatly missed and I know he leaves with fond feelings for the District. Maj (Retd) Chapple will be stomping the grounds around Hampton, enjoying working in a local school and with his new allotment will undoubtedly be keeping himself very busy. I’m sure he will be seen in and around the Army v Navy rugby matches and other RAPTC occasions. Marley ‘the mutt’ also deserves a mention and de nitely deserves some retirement after hitting the grand old age of 15 years.
G7PD Branch of HQ LONDIST saw the return of a lost soul with WO2 (QMSI) K Pitcairn returning to the of ce to work forwarded mounted for ASPT (he just missed the bosses banter too much and had to come back!). Kenny is of course a very welcome addition to the of ce and continues to assist on all LONDIST Army Reserve matters, on top of his commitments to ASPT. A mention to our other Army Reserve support WO2 (QMSI) Will McLay who works with 1ISR but still nds time to assist the District when he is able and where he can, thanks Will.
The working commitments for LONDIST RAPTCIs has continued to be fast paced or should I say seated, (thanks to these DII machines!) and on top of their unit commitments have laid on a sporting calendar allowing the occasional break from the ceremonial duties carried out 24 hours a day by London based soldiers. The highlight within this sporting calendar was the GOCs Cup, held at Combermere Barracks and Victoria and the corresponding sports
Maj (Retd) A Chapple
WO1 (SMI) I Navin RAPTC
WO2 (QMSI) K Pitcairn RAPTC
a break and other ladies from across the district a day of sport and competition. The competition was organised by SSgt Francis who scored a 3 pointer with his efforts.
Boxing came back into the District after a previous quieter year with the re-introduction of the Household Division (HDiv) Inter- Unit Boxing Competition which hadn’t been held for many years. 1WG hosted the event with the nals held at the Army Combat Centre Aldershot. The aim of the competition was to create an opportunity for HDiv sportsmen to showcase their talent, identify and build an HDiv Team from which to compete against other major units. From this competition an HDiv team was created and went on to compete against the PARAs. Another