Page 118 - Bugle Autumn 2014
P. 118
6th Battalion Officers Mess at the Wagon Hill Dinner
Officers’ Mess
As in previous years the Officers’ Mess has enjoyed a full and busy year with a variety of functions made possible by the hard work of Serjeants Gait, Tucker and Harrison.
A Ladies’ Night was held in the Mess
in November that also doubled up as our Christmas Party; the food and wine was excellent as usual and Majors Jon Penhale and Dom Maxwell-Batten stepped in as DJ’s for the evening getting everyone up and dancing. Wagon Hill was celebrated in January, once again hosted by C Company in Dorchester Army Reserve Centre (ARC), to which we invited, as usual, the Battalion’s Warrant Officers. Our principal guest this year was Brigadier Richard Toomey CBE, Rifles Colonel South West. We were also honoured to host Lieutenant Colonels Karl Hickman (CO 1st Battalion), Ben Tomkins (CO Bristol UOTC), Simon O’Herlihy (CO RMR Bristol), WO1 (RSM) Phare and Maj
(Rtd) Tim Saunders MBE who had guided us on our recent battlefield study at Ypres. As is the tradition, prior to dinner in front
of the Wagon Hill painting the newest or most junior member of the Mess recounts the battle of Wagon Hill. This year, Second Lieutenant Paddy Dunford delivered in great style. Colour
was to be an outstanding event; not only in terms of party spirit but also gave us the opportunity to say farewell to a number of fellow officers. Notably, the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nev Holmes MBE and also Majors Roy Jones, Mark Laverick, Jonny Webber, A Major Will
Serjeant Towers had
once again transformed
the drill hall into the
perfect setting lined
with a marquee and
with the table groaning
under the weight of
Regimental silver we
were welcomed for yet
another excellent celebration, hosting our Warrant Officers. Predictably, the evening extended well into the early hours!
In July we held our Summer Party and
Hignett MC, Captains Charlie Stevens, Barney Barnes and Gary Peacock. During the year we also said farewell to Captain Nathan Howard and also Second Lieutenant Paddy Dunford as he left us to attend RMAS.
As I write we are looking forward to attending the Rifles Officers’ Dinner in London in September and then a Ladies’ Night in October.
Majors Jon Penhale and Dom Maxwell-Batten stepped in as DJ’s for the evening getting everyone up and dancing
Second in Command, Major Dom Maxwell-Batten with some of the media team who supported us on Ex LION STAR; Emma Carton (Pirate FM) and Francesca Carpenter (ITV Westcountry).
Mrs Suzy Wills, The Commanding Officer, Lt Col Nev Holmes MBE and Mrs Jen Holmes getting in the party mood.
116 SIXTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES