Page 46 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Headqurter Company overview
2014 will be remembered most as the
year of many moving parts, in particular by Headquarter Company who by and large provide manning to all serials. The main events have been the preparation and support to the Op HERRICK 20 deployment of A Company and the Op TORAL deployment of the remaining Companies, which includes a third of the Headquarter Company ninjas. It has been great getting the Headquarter element back outside on the ranges, training periods and exercises. Inevitably the Battalion is still required to conduct vital routine activity usually resulting in a vast array of counting, checking and the thumping of data through a keyboard
to satisfy an ever evolving variety of IT interfaces such as JPA, Dii and MJDI.
Of course this is nothing new or unique but this year has been particularly frantic with teams working long days trying
to complete the routine day jobs such
as Equipment Care and Log Support Inspections... oh and that little thing we did in the summer called a Unit Move. It has been surprising how few Rfn and JNCOs had experienced a unit move having been in Ballykinler for 7 years. The Late Entry Officers have of course
experienced several unit
moves before and one
thing for sure, the 30
miles 2 RIFLES moved
this year was no less
painful then when the
battalion moved from
Weeton. In fact it was
more painful having to
move lock stock and
barrel up the road in endless convoys; this certainly had an adverse reaction to the
The QM(T) still loving the job, ensuring his accounted equipment still works...
QM (T) Capt Vince Mears kept a low profile during this busy time worrying about black bag issue and portaloos for the exercise
MTO Capt Steve Burgess’ developing bald patch. The move went well, amazingly,
since the original planned 7 week window was eventually turned into a 3 week move period crammed between exercises. Hats off to the QM,
Maj Arthur Frame, who managed to pull it out the bag and moved the Battalion in good order
with lots of stick and little carrot, while the so called ‘A’ team under command of the
QM (T) Capt Vince Mears kept a low profile during this busy time worrying about black bag issue and portaloos for the exercise.
Amongst the chaos the Rear Operations Group were asked to enter a 24 hour bicycle ride to raise £2000 for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Lead by LCpl Maleiba the PTI and with a Rifleman heavy team included Rifleman Brown, Coomber, Wadkins, Burns, Murdock, Ramsay, Buchle and Rifleman Head. The team did exceptionally well securing a fantastic first place beating all the other Northern Ireland units.
Maj MA Owen OC HQ
2 RIFLES football
The Riflemen selected to represent the 2 RIFLES football team during the 2013/14 season displayed an excellent team ethos and, overall, played exciting football throughout the season.
Due to companies being deployed on training exercises at various times over the season, it was difficult to maintain a well-manned and flexible squad. This did not stop those who played during every game to give it their best shot, and team cohesion- often with little practice and experience of playing together- was impressive and encouraging to both witness and be a part of.
We were knocked out of the Army Cup early on, however progressed well in the Infantry Cup until being defeated away against 1 Yorks in an exciting end-to-end game in Warminster.
The collective highlight of the season was the away win against 1 Lancs (0-1), where we showed discipline and perseverance to earn a well deserved late goal.
Individually, three ‘Chosen Men’ were selected amongst many to represent on a regular basis the Infantry team: Cpl Kirlew (10 Pl, C Coy), Rfn Hannaford (10 Pl C Coy) and Rfn Hudson (9Pl, C Coy). An impressive season for them.
All in all, it was a season that bore no trophies, however the talent 44 SECOND BATTALION
Lt Cartwright leading the team with his silky French skills
and spirit within the team suggests that the future looks bright for 2 RIFLES FC.
Lt NTJ Cartwright, OiC 2 RIFLES Football
THE RIFLES