Page 69 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

2 Ri es Subalterns outside UNHQ, New York
Warrant Of cers’ and Serjeants’ Mess
The Mess continues to make good progress in leaving its indelible mark and demonstrating positive mess life and the Ri es style to the remainder of Lisburn Station Mess.
The Mess hosted a fantastic Regimental Dining Out Night of WO1 Chris Watson, who leaves 2 RIFLES to try and instil some swiftness and boldness as 38 (Irish) Brigade RSM. CSjt Sandison was also dined out after 22 years’ service as a Ri eman. He has aspirations to move on to an intelligence role within 38 (Irish) Brigade, where his affection for all things dissident will be allowed to ourish. The Mess welcomed WO1 Rob Parsons with an excellent “Bring a Boss’’ Night, the highlight of which was one of the junior of cers politely enquiring whether his Reserve service counted towards his time in rank and experience as an Army Of cer. At this point, the bell didn’t stop ringing and his generous offer to in buying
drinks was thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. Mess members continue to demonstrate a growing interest in key skills such as micro- navigation and judging distance on Northern Ireland’s golf courses. Sjt James Gibbins and Sgt Mark Elliot continue to strive to achieve Regimental recognition for 2 RIFLES’ rugby team, which is
surging into the top division of Army rugby.
The Mess welcomes in WO2 John Wheatley and WO2 Tommy Turner from 5 RIFLES. We also welcome newly promoted Serjeants to the Mess. The Mess continues to progress forward under the new RSM, focusing on leadership and the devel-
opment of junior Serjeants.
WO2 J Greenwood, CSM I Company (PMC)
THE MESS CONTINUES TO PROGRESS
Of cers’ Mess
Following the move from Ballykinler, late 2015 and the rst half of 2016 has been a period of consoli- dation in the 2 RIFLES Of cers’ Mess. We are now established in Lisburn and the 2 RIFLES of cers have put in some long hours to begin to ‘Ri ise’ the Station Of cers’ Mess (LSOM). We have certainly been warmly welcomed into the Mess and the Ri es brand (especially silver and paintings) has been very well received. There is much left to do to improve the fabric of the mess but, on arriving at the LSOM, visitors cannot now fail to recognise that the major unit in Station is a Ri es battalion.
Despite being in another busy period for the Battalion, we have managed to t in an Inkerman Regimental dinner night to host Brigadier Roe, Comd 38 (Irish) Brigade and a Ladies Dinner Night in March, when we hosted the Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. We have also hosted various guests in a series of Bugle Breakfasts. The Mess Christmas party in December saw some inter- esting variations on winter wonderland fancy dress - notably a not-so sexy santa’s helper (Henry Wootton) and an angel with anti-socially large wings (Ant Carrow). Post-Christmas had seen a lull in activity as the Mess decamped to Ex ASKARI STORM but this came to an end with an extremely successful and well attended ‘Taste of India’ summer ball. Gus O’Brien led the efforts to corral and cajole the garrison and generated a great atmosphere driven by bhangra dancers and re breathers – Thursday curry lunches will never be quite the same.
successful trip was followed by a more modest, but no less successful, outing to Riga.
As always there have been many comings and goings throughout the period and the mess must welcome Lts Liam Scully, Mark Nattriss, Josh Lee, Nathan Murphy, George Gillard, Gus O’Brien and Matt Dryburgh and looks forward to welcoming Gavin Knox in the not-so-distant future. The Mess will shortly be saying an extremely fond farewell to Maj Chris Lamb whose dedication and contribution to the Mess, the Battalion and the Regiment cannot be underestimated. We wish him and Paula well in Harrogate. The Mess has said goodbye to Capt Sam O’shea, Maj Nick White and Amelia White, Capt Steve Eamer and Wendy Eamer, Capt Tom Quayle and Capt Nick Cartwright this year. We wish them all the best of luck for the future and are sure we will be seeing many of them again in the future.
2 RIFLES of cers will continue to forge a strong identity for the LSOM and take every opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and continue to move the station mess forward.
Maj Hosegood, OC C Company (Of cers’ Mess
THE MESS WILL SHORTLY BE SAYING AN EXTREMELY FOND FAREWELL TO MAJ CHRIS LAMB
Junior Of cer outings have taken a signi cant step
forward and will be a challenge to beat. A charming
band of Winchester Order clad junior of cers ew
to New York for a long weekend. The trip included
an ‘educational’ visit to the UN, thanks for Gus
O’Brien’s father, and various parties including
hosting a cocktail party in the penthouse apartment
that was declared the Of cers’ Mess forward! This PMC)
THE RIFLES
SECOND BATTALION 67