Page 37 - Bugle Autumn 2014

1 RIFLES Ex FROSTED BLADE
Last winter, 1 RIFLES sent a team of 6 Riflemen to Val D’Isere in France to take part in the Infantry Ski Championships: EX FROSTED BLADE. The team was looking to capitalise on experience gained during the previous season and to introduce some novice skiers to ski racing.
As ever, the 1 RIFLES team was dedicated to the training, and Rfn Lewis and Thorpe were particularly impressive and were starting to catch the eye of the instructors.
Race week at the Infantry Championships is a fantastic experience. The Infantry books olympic quality race pistes and officials
from the Val D’Isere Club des Sports and
the racing is very professionally organized. All skiers participate in 4 disciplines during race week: Slalom, Giant Slalom (GS), Super GS, and Downhill (DH). Race week was a huge success
‘The John Bancroft Memorial Trophy’ for being the highest placed JNCO/Rfn in the Championships. Rfn Thorpe won a total of 4 novice trophies as an individual, dominating
for the 1 RIFLES
team, and everybody
can be proud of
their performances,
especially novice skiers
Rfn Thorpe and Rfn
Hutson who strapped
on 2m skis and attacked DH courses after only 5 weeks on snow!
The 1 RIFLES ‘A’ team picked up lots of silverware for their efforts. Rfn Lewis won
the speed events in particular, and the team came 3rd in the Infantry Super GS.
Rfn Lewis was selected to represent the Infantry Team at the Army Championships,
and rounded off an impressive individual season by earning Infantry Colours. Capt Chris Flood, Platoon Commander, Fire Support Group
Rfn Lewis was selected to represent the Infantry Team at the Army Championships
Officers’ Mess
This year a brilliantly diverse programme provided a little something for each member of the Mess to get their teeth into. With
the PMC appointment changing like the wind, mainly due to Op NEWCOMBE commitments, the new ideas fairies were out in force!
AGC (SPS) Detachment
In addition to providing clerical support to all of the Battalion’s various deployments on operations and exercises, 1 RIFLES AGC detachment won the 2014 Triple Crown Inter-unit AGC Competition.
Lt Nick Peck AGC (SPS), Detachment Commander.
The late Summer Ball
kicked off this Bugle
year with an Indian
Summer themed event
on the sunny shores of
the Severn Estuary. The
theme was stretched to
the very edge of reason
with many of the Mess Members turning up as cowboys. It was a thoroughly successful evening enjoyed by all.
The New Year began with a Mess Shooting day on the Kingweston Estate
in Somerset. A merry band of seven officers set off led by Mark Cripps filled with anticipation and gusto; unfortunately the shooting started badly and it wasn’t until the
afternoon, after a cracking pub lunch and a few pints of ale, the mess finally started hitting birds rather than just scaring them.
February and March saw the Mess hold two Regimental Dinner nights (Wagon
Hill and Alexandria) with the Deputy Commander, 160 (Infantry) Brigade attending the latter.
The year has included a Care For Casualties Race Day at Chepstow Race Course in February, attended by ten members of the Mess and the Assistant Colonel Commandant, Lt Gen Tim Evans CBE DSO, as the guest of honour.
Maj Jamie Edwards, President of the Mess Committee
it wasn’t until the afternoon, the mess finally started hitting birds rather than just scaring them
THE RIFLES
FIRST BATTALION 35