Page 113 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
The Derby Reunion and Museum Day
The Derby Reunion was held over the weekend of the 22-23 March, following the successful, tried and tested format with the two functions on the Friday and Saturday nights. The Friday night at the Hallmark Hotel was well attended and as always, we were well looked after by the hotel staff. During the day, for those who needed some sort of respite from the rigours of the night before, there was Museum Day hosted at the Derby Mu- seum. This year’s speakers were Maj Phil Watson who discussed what happened to the 12L after the Great War, Capt Colin Hook who looked at some specific 9L and 12L post-World War 1, and Lt Col Alan Abraham covered B Squadron on Operation GRAP- PLE 1 in Bosnia 1992/93. That evening was the main social event and was held again at ‘The Spot’ with over 200 attending. The venue was as full as I have ever seen it. There was much talk about it being the last event being run at the venue and who was likely to take it on? Mr Tony Wilson and HHQ did a roar- ing business selling 9/12L merchandise, with some of the stock being the remnants of the PRI that was not sold prior to amalga- mation. As always, the RLOCA are indebted to Mr Gary Arnold and his family for pulling this event together and are equally indebted to Richie Bass and Shell French for taking this event on and we wish them all the success with the new venue. We also look forward to the new event of the ‘Lancers in Derby (Mons Troop’s) inaugural dinner at the Hallmark Hotel in Derby on 10 October – see Tony Wilson for details.
Alan Fradley and Tony Wilmore at Catterick
16/5L reunited at Catterick
Regimental Weekend
On the weekend of the 8-9 June, members of the RLOCA were invited to attend the Regimental Weekend in Catterick. The weekend followed the traditional format, with a sports day on the Saturday afternoon, with an all ranks function in the even- ing, followed by the parade and lunch on the Sunday. This year the RLOCA numbers were disappointingly low, however we still managed to parade 20+ members of the association. The contin- gent was led by Maj Gen Robin Searby CB, and the RLOCA Ban- ner was carried, at somewhat short notice by Clive Bergstrand. It was great to see In-Pensioner Jack Pilkington on parade and at the all ranks function. As always, Jack cost his hosts a fortune in beer and cigarettes! The regiment’s hospitality was as always genial and effortless. The officers and soldiers in both Messes and at the all ranks function ensure the RLOCA were hosted in style. Most of the RLOCA ended up in the WOs’ and Sergeants’ Mess where they were also entertained to the Corps of Drums of our Army Cadets from Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. (See page 18 for Regimental Weekend article).
Remembrance and Commemoration.
The calendar for the year was a little different from the previ- ous year. The traditional RLOCA events were all attended: The Cavalry Memorial Parade, Field of Remembrance and the an- nual gatherings at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) and the Cenotaph. This year there was no Canterbury Reunion,
Jack at the All Ranks Function
Cavalry Memorial Parade
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