Page 26 - 1RHA 2022

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Quartermaster (M) Department LBdr B Ligabalavu
The Quartermaster’s (QM) Department has had another busy term, deploying overseas, facilitating a parade, and helping with the regimental family’s day, however there are still more challenges awaiting.
The main function of the QM dept is to sustain the Regiment, this is through, health and safety throughout both technical and liv- ing accommodation, management of sport equipment, stationary demands, ceremonial equipment, clothing, and the management of all transactions that take place throughout the regt.
Upon returning from Easter leave the Regiment conducted junior leadership courses, headed by A Battery (The Chestnut Troop), once again the QM dept had a job to play to make sure that all candidates were ready (equipment and clothing) to start course.
Heading into the month of June saw the Regiment hold the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Parade to celebrate 70 years of Her Late Majesty’s reign. This was a great opportunity for all members of the Regiment to invite their families to see them on parade; due to COVID this was also the first time that some parents had seen their children take part in a parade. This also saw a few mem- bers from the QM dept receiving their medals. After the parade the Regiment held a family’s day that was enjoyed by all. There were a variety of different cuisine stands from around the world that represented the different cultures within 1 RHA. Sgt Gurung helped run the Nepalese stand where the food was delicious, another talent that he hides.
After all the fun and games were over, it was time to prepare for Ex DYNAMIC FRONT in July. The QM dept were looking forward to supporting the Regiment and deploying to Germany on exer- cise, unfortunately due to other regimental commitments the exercise had to be descaled and only saw a Bty(-) deploy. LBdr Ligabalavu and Gnr Evans still got the opportunity to deploy with the BQMS dept as part of the Echelon team. There were various lessons that took place over the exercise on MATTs and BCS. Post exercise they both managed to take part in some Adventure
training the Bavarian Alps, they had a great time taking part in kayaking, walking and rock climbing.
During summer leave, Pte Lavia and his wife Ceren gave birth to their baby girl, Ranae Lavia. We wish them both all the happiness for the future. The Regiment was stood up as the United Kingdom Support Battalion (UKSB). This saw elements of the Regiment, including SP from the QM dept, being held at readiness where they could be called out at any time to provide support to civilian authorities anywhere within the UK.
The churn within the dept carries on, this term saw WO2 Hil- ton-Huish and SSgt Baxter both leaving the Army to start a new career in the civilian sector; we would like to wish them both good luck for their next adventures. This left space for WO2 Markham who moved from O/HQ BQMS and hopefully the new RLC 1LO due in soon.
Achievements
Major Smith RHA, WO2 Hilton-Huish, Sgt Gurung, Bdr Frayne and LCpl Sevier all received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Sgt Gurung also received the Commanding Officers coin for exceptional work towards the ASEMSA.
Posted In/Out
Out – WO2 (RQMS) Hilton-Huish SSgt Baxter (RLC – 1LO)
In – WO2 (RQMS) Markham
Sporting Activities:
WO2 Hilton-Huish represented the Regiment at football.
Bdr Frayne represented the Army in both football and rugby league, the RA at football where she travelled to Portugal to play in a tournament. LBdr Ligabalavu representing the Regiment in both basketball and netball.
Bdr Frayne receiving her first Army Cap for Army Rugby League from Brigadier Mike Taylor after the 2022 inter-services competition
QM(M) Department
LBdr B Ligabalavu from QM(M) dept on adventure training
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