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1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Gary Prout CGC, Mark Denton and Lisa Charlwood-Green. Of note was the Nuts Challenge which saw the Regiment out of the Gun park and HQs to take on a very muddy 5km obstacle course which was a good change of pace, and an opportunity to dem- onstrate some leadership and grit from all ranks in physical but fun environment. A special mention to LBdr Erin Rowe and Capt Josh Rudland-Potter, for delivering Dragon’s den style AT pitches to the regimental 2IC. Another mention also goes to Sgt Ryan Ellenor, Capt Harriet James, LBdr Luke Nicklin and Bdr Tristan King for also developing and executing innovation pitches deliv- ered to the Commanding Officer and external consultants.
February brought about an Army wide call for change in the form of Op TEAMWORK. The day itself saw the Battery reflect on the current culture within the unit with respect to gender, race, and workplace conduct. Discussions were held on these issues and the seeds for change were planted. As a result of Op TEAM- WORK, it was identified that after a long period in the COVID working environment the Battery was not fully functioning as a cohesive team and that many people were not familiar with those outside their own Troop or Department. As a result, Gnr Leia Greenan aided by Bdr Matthew Kelshaw organised a Bat- tery day out just a few weeks later. This day out saw the Battery go to Portsmouth for an educational tour around HMS Victory in the morning, then push across to Portsmouth for a visit to Ninja Warrior UK. There the Battery conducted the obstacle course and Sgt Alex Hughes organised innovative team building games. The end of the day saw the Battery recover back to the Packhorse for food, a couple of drinks and a pub quiz. Overall, the day was a great success and helped towards building a more unified and stronger team.
March saw Gardiner’s Troop conducting a Day trip to Boving- ton tank Museum to gain a knowledge and understanding of Armoured Vehicles. The Troop also received a capability brief on Russian Tanks covering a wide variety of platforms. The day was enjoyed by all despite the minibus’s numerous attempts to break- down which resulted in the Troop also conducting a forced tour of many of Wiltshire’s finest lay-bys. Thanks goes to Sgt Lee Crown, Bdr Conner Stewart, LBdr Erin Rowe, LBdr Matthew Shinton, LBdr Sam Walton and LBdr Connor Badmin for organising. Later in the month the Regiment also geared up for a visit from both the GOC of 3rd Armoured Division Maj Gen James Martin and the 1st Artillery Brigade Commander Brigadier Charles Hewitt. E Battery conducted a CPX for the day which involved a full comms link up from the FSTs up in the VBS simulators, through the CPs, down to the Gun line who were in the turret trainer conducting the fire missions called in from the front end. Brigadier Hewitt was suit- ably impressed with the Battery especially Sgt Maika Tovagone’s passionate and dynamic lesson on Artillery Manoeuvre Areas.
May 22 – Summer 22
May saw members of E Battery deploy with the 1 Mercian Battle Group in Germany supporting the B Battery Tac Group in Ger- many. This was a series of exercises based in the UK and over- seas designed to test the Battlegroup’s readiness to deploy on Operations. Special mention goes to Bdr Sims and LBdr Edwards for working hard throughout, often above their rank, to ensure the success of the overall exercise. The Battery (and wider regiment) were without their integral REME support from the end of May due to their expertise being required as part of the NATO lead effort supporting the sovereignty of Ukraine. This was a fantastic effort from all those involved, and the Battery and Regiment is extremely proud of the work and dedication shown by all.
In June there was an Army wide push to ensure as many per- sonnel as possible started to complete the new Initial Training Requirements that have replaced Mandatory Annual Training Tests. Although the content remains very similar the emphasis is now on achieving maximum training value. This meant the Bat- tery would be required to show off their individual marksman- ship skills and an ACMT week was run by SSgt Curran and 2Lt Leigh, a new arrival in the Battery. Whilst there was overall a high standard of shooting on display it was clear that some individuals, (who will remain nameless) had the opinion that their individual weapons system was more of an area weapon.
In early July the inaugural Officers and Seniors golfing day out to Top Golf Surry occurred, with WO2 (BSM) Heggie winning the longest drive and SSgt Curran getting closest to the pin. How- ever, it was Sgt Hughes who won the day with the overall top score, followed closely by Capt Rudland-Potter. A clean sheet for the seniors...
Later that month Major Claire Blakiston handed Command of E Battery to Major Hannah Breslin. Major Breslin returns to 1 RHA from time at staff in both the International Security Directorate of MOD Main Building and HQ 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade. She has served in 1 RHA previously an FST Comd in L Battery and RSO in O/HQ Battery. Maj Blakiston moves on to a new challenge as XO of the Support Branch in Army Headquar- ters with thanks and best wishes for the future from all ranks of E Battery.
July also saw a great loss to the Battery, Regiment and Royal Artillery as a whole. Bdr Ross Burnside sadly took his own life whilst at his home in Rotherham. Whilst very new to the Battery and 1 RHA, having recently transferred from 3 RHA, his pass- ing had a profound impact on many. He was an avid sportsman, quality soldier and good friend. Our thoughts are with his family in what must be an extremely hard and emotional time, R.I.P.
September 22 – What Next;
E Bty returned to work after a well-earned summer leave, albeit with a large portion of the Battery at either 12 Hrs or 24 Hrs notice to move in support of the regimental commitment to the UK Standby Battalion. This allows the UK Government to have personnel ready to support UK based operations which could see service personnel in support of the police or local authorities across Great Britain.
Many of the Battery took part in Ex STEEL DRAGON, an exercise designed to test the Joint Fires Cell. It utilises the CUBIC indus- tries simulated environment, which places a real time and moving enemy for the participants to deal with, without the requirement to deploy vehicles and operators into the field. This is in aid of the Regiment’s preparations for Ex CYPHER DAGGER in October, our yearly TQCC (Trained, Qualified, Current and Competent) deployment. This sees all the members of the Battery conducting their role with live ammunition to the assessed standard. Further out, E Battery will renew its long-standing working relationship with the Queens Royal Hussars Battle Group, going to Germany either side of Christmas on preparatory exercises before deploy- ing to Estonia once again in March on OP CABRIT 12.
It has been a busy year for the soldiers and families of E Battery, with another equally busy year ahead. With new challenges in an ever more complex and changing world E Battery’s soldiers will remain ready and approach them head on.
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