Page 98 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

CO: Lieutenant Colonel MCP Wilson MBE 2IC: Major AJ Husband / Maj JE Bates Adjt: Captain PFA Daniell
RSM: WO1 (RSM) TP Lush
RAO: Captain SJ Barnard AGC(SPS)
ADC: Captain MI Towl AGC(SPS)
RAWO: WO2 (SQMS) W Heathcote AGC(SPS)
Ops Of cer: Captain EH Richardson
RSO: Captain C Mills
RSWO: Colour Serjeant S Feeney
RCMO: Captain AL Hogg
IO: Captain RS Wallace
AIO: WO2 S Wilkins
OC Light Aid Detachment: Captain DB Woodhouse REME Arti cer SM: WO1 (ASM) MSP Chisolm REME
RMO: Captain DJA Farrell RAMC
UWO: Captain NJ Hedges
Unit Chaplain: Fr P Smith CF
Dental Of cer: Major CJ Harper RADC
LDO: Lieutenant A Scott AGC (ETS)
OC A Coy: Major MC Helsby
2IC A Coy: Captain GW Hewetson
A Coy SM: WO2 (CSM) DM Dimmock
A Coy WSM: WO2 (WSM) MJ Lindgren
OC 1 Platoon: 2nd Lieutenant N Loxton OC 2 Platoon: Lieutenant ND Flye
OC 3 Platoon: Lieutenant WR Groombridge
OC B Coy: Major BE Casson MBE
2IC B Coy: Captain JE Cantrell
B Coy SM: WO2 (CSM) J Cooney
B Coy WSM: WO2 (WSM) JR Wheatley OC 5 Platoon: Lieutenant ETE Walker OC 6 Platoon: Serjeant GP Jones
OC 7 Platoon: Lieutenant JH Maddan
OC D Coy: Major JA Had eld MBE
2IC D Coy: Captain RAA Makepeace
D Coy SM: WO2 (CSM) DC Cox
D Coy WSM: WO2 (WSM) D Edwards
OC 13 Platoon: Lieutenant RG Smart
OC 14 Platoon: Lieutenant T Jelly
OC 15 Platoon: 2nd Lieutenant BJ Bishop
OC HQ Coy: Major JCC Bewley QM: Major JD Mabb
QM Technical: Captain C Gibson MTO: Captain MJ Strutt
RQMS: WO2 (RQMS) DC Thomas / WO2 (RQMS) NM Beresford
RQMS Technical: WO2 (RQMS) SP Risdale / WO2 (RQMS) DR Ridley
HQ Coy SM: WO2 (CSM) NM Beresford / WO2 (CSM) S Held
OC Fire Support Coy: Major TEC Jarvis
2IC Fire Support Coy: Captain JAJ McColl
Fire Support Coy SM: WO2 (CSM) DR Ridley OC Mortar Platoon: Captain CER James
OC Reconnaissance Platoon: Captain NG Howe OC Javelin Platoon: Captain JA Lister
Introduction
This has been a particularly poignant year for the battalion. The departure from Germany after 14 years is the cap-stone moment on a year that has seen much activity. In preparation for readiness the Battalion has been through the training cycle once again. The Battalion faced down another harsh winter CT1 training package on Sennelager. D Company ventured to France’s well renowned CENZUB urban training area and BG HQ were privileged to deploy to Turkey on Ex ANATOLIAN THUNDER, although we insist we were nothing to do with the coup attempt that followed later! B Company were Battle-grouped with the QRH for their training but it all culminated in BATUS where the hard work of the previous months was rewarded with a resounding success. 5 RIFLES are validated as t for deployment and relish the opportunity that moving into the Readiness Year brings in 2017.
BG HQ WERE PRIVILEGED TO DEPLOY TO TURKEY ON EX ANATOLIAN THUNDER, ALTHOUGH WE INSIST WE WERE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COUP ATTEMPT THAT FOLLOWED LATER!
The Battalion has won its fair share of prizes this year. As would be expected, 5 RIFLES claimed the overall winners of the 20X Operational Shooting Competition and a host of individual prizes. Victory in the 3XX Mounted Gunnery Competition proved that the Ri emen can perform just as well with 30mm as with small arms. This string of wins was then crowned with a tri-service victory in the Countess of Wessex Cup which tested a host of military skills (although the events may have been rigged in our favour!).
Success followed on the sports eld where the Battalion Cross Country team returned to dominance of BFG. Crowned champions and some very impressive performances across the age categories bode well for the future. Further endeavours followed on the rugby and cricket pitches as well as an excellent inter-company boxing competition – hopefully our return the UK will see more Regimental competition. Winter sports were well invested in as Ri emen ventured to France for Alpine and Nordic skiing competitions.
The departure from Germany was marked by the award of a Fahrendband from the German government. As these are essentially “colours” we await direct from RHQ about how we display them, but the gesture was appreciated. The Countess of Wessex and Lt Gen Tim Evans CBE DSO oversaw proceedings and all 7 Commanding Of cers of 5 Ri es or 1LI in Paderborn were present.
Maj Jim Bates, Bn 2IC
96 FIFTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES
FIFTHBATTALION HEADQUARTERS COMPANY BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
FIRE SUPPORT COY D COMPANY B COMPANY A COMPANY