Page 51 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) 49
hind to split the responsibilities amongst each other. ROG was a busy time with a few new arrivals being thrown in at the deep end, fortunately the centralisation helped them though as they were never too far away from someone with experience to help if needed.
Finding a balance between work and a social life is important, as such the ROG still managed to find time to have some fun. There was a day at the races where Corporal Grimshaw managed to find a few winners, apparently that meant the drinks were on her. The Det also managed to find time to throw a party for Lance Corporal Eccleston who was expecting her first child. Time flew by and before we knew it the ROG were decentralising and pre- paring for the return of the Squadrons. The documents cabinets were taken back to the relevant squadrons and it became the top priority to ensure all allowances, leave and finances of the re- turning personnel were carefully managed.
Return to Catterick
Throughout the 2018 period we have had some changes in the detachment. There have been a number of new arrivals, in par- ticular a new Regimental Admin Officer (Captain Wooster), Staff Support Assistant (Sergeant Williams) and Sys Co-Ord (Sergeant Tikoisova). There have also been some promotions in the Det with both Pte Emblin and Pte Horton becoming Lance Corpo- ral’s, Staff Sergeant Warencyia being selected for Warrant Officer Class II and Lance Corporal Langton being selected for Corpo- ral. In addition, promotion is not the only way to recognise great achievements and effort, during the year we saw both Corporal Dixon and Lance Corporal Horton receive Commanding Of- ficer’s commendations for their work.
As Christmas closed in members of the Det got into the festive spirit by raising money for charity doing a costumed walk and
Corporal Dixon and Lance Corporal Horton with their Commanding Officer’s Commendations
coupled with a Det Christmas function, organised by Corporal Richardson, moral is high. We finish 2018 looking forward to a quiet leave which will rest the Det before we hit the ground running in the new year. Exercise SPECULAR 19 will test two of our newest personnel, Pte Langhorn and Pte Sabrane-Conroy, in the first week back after leave.
A parting thought is that the Det has worked incredibly hard over the last year, there has been growth and teamwork, there has been encouragement and mentoring, and with all of this, there is the possibility of going from strength to strength as we strive for excellence in what we do during the coming year of 2019.
The Quartermaster’s Department
I’m sure by the time you have reached this article it will be well known that once again the Regiment has been busy. The topic of Operation TOSCA will have taken up over half of the period that this edition of the Chapka covers. This will be recorded in a separate article for you to read.
The normal routine Quartermaster’s tasks have been simmering in the background be that improvements to our infrastructure or the usual accounting for MoD items. However, it is in the support of the Squadrons where the Quartermaster’s Dept has been busi- est. The taking over of camp accommodation, collection of am- munition or provision of supplies has been done with small teams from the Quartermaster’s being dispatched ahead of the main body of troops. These small teams with elements from this Dept, the Quartermaster Tech, Motor Transport, Chefs and REME all take over the infrastructure in advance to smooth over the Squad- rons arrival procedures. In reverse it is this composite logistical or G4 team that are the usual ones to return back to unit lines last. This year, irrespective of Operation TOSCA this has continued with trusted individuals being tasked to support the Squadrons where they can. They have not let the side down.
There have been (and due to be) some changes to the person- alities within the Quartermaster’s Department which is par for the course. Warrant Officer Class II Hollis has been the stalwart member of the team ensuring all outputs from the Department are met and are of a high standard. He has been outstanding and by the time you read this edition he will have moved on to a short appointment overseas. This is only temporary and prior to moving for a full two-year post as Regimental Sergeant Ma-
jor of The Queen’s Own Yeomanry. We would all like to thank him for all his efforts during the past two years as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant as much of his energy is spent behind the scenes helping those that need his help. His replacement has large shoes to fill however I know he will work in the same man- ner as Mr Hollis and continue to assist all. Sergeant Markwell, who was a long-term member of the team, now moves to the Wel- fare Department. He was previously tasked with the health and safety (H&S) areas of the Regiment along with accommodation SNCO and as the Troop Sergeant. He regularly gets called by his successor, Sergeant Greenwood, on the intricacies of health and safety which he has quickly released can be a minefield of policy and legislation. Luckily, I’ve equipped Sergeant Greenwood with an additional helmet, set of body armour and a mine detector however the occasional bang can still be heard from my office. Lance Corporal Bradshaw (RLC) is now a civilian and works in the civilian welfare sector. This is a job well suited to her patience and understanding from her time as the Clothing Store NCO. We wish her all the best of luck in her transition into civilian life. Lance Corporal Swordy has now filled the post she vacated and has already got to grips with this fast-moving account. His current appointment within the Regiment has seen him ‘spot welded’ to his computer terminal frantically demanding items of clothing for individuals. He is doing a fine job even if his resting heart rate is now much higher than before joining us.
The old guard still remain within the Quatermaster’s Dept which is of great comfort to me. Corporal Brooks remains as the old sweat in terms of all things ammunition and is usually going to or coming back from an Ammo Bunker somewhere in the UK.
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