Page 42 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Newly promoted LCpl Fletcher Cpl Eaton extolling the virtues of a good Topgun: Cpl Allan, LCpl Blondin- following the PNCO Cadre banana on Exercise BANNISTER LANCER Diop and Tpr Blakemore
locked on anyway?) and a B Squadron crew won the Regiment’s best shot with congratulations to Cpl Allen, LCpl Blondin-Diop (borrowed from HQ Squadron) and Tpr Blakemore. Their prize, selection for the divisional shooting competition in January 2020. The whole Squadron must also be congratulated for every single crew passing their Annual Crew Test on the first attempt, with Sgt Aston, Tpr Whittaker and Tpr Willis coming a very close second in the Squadron, only missing one target and Sgt Wooderson, LCpl Griffiths and Tpr Sowden also achieving joint second place, missing the final target of the run with an excep- tional display of accuracy and ammunition conservation.
In terms of delivery at the Regimental level, the Squadron were charged with running the PNCO Cadre. Lt Gray decided to take it to the demanding Dartmoor training area, providing an opportunity for Tprs from around the Regiment to show their mettle and for us to really test our G4 capability. Supported by Sgt Wilkes, the team planned and executed a conceptual train- ing phase and arduous exercise in the Royal Marines’ back yard, including a helicopter insertion to a target reconnaissance mis- sion, extracting under contact. Cpl Cartledge proved the stand- out asset, and this combined with his performance in CVR(T) Scimitar on ranges secured his nomination for the Squadron’s best crew commander.
Lt Colquhoun also led the Regiment’s team to an impressive silver medal in Cambrian Patrol 19. Logistically supported by SQMS King and Sgt Wilkes, the team, which included LCpl Stevens came together with two weeks’ training and highlighted the base level professionalism and leadership of the Regiment.
It hasn’t all been time in the field for B Squadron, as we con- ducted Exercise BANNISTER LANCER focusing on mental re- silience, wellbeing and sporting prowess. Underpinned by LCpl Fisher and Cpl Eaton’s healthy eating campaign, the warrior ath- lete ethos in the squadron was consistently demonstrated over the year. The OC’s unrelenting competitiveness was somewhat satisfied by victories in the field sports (and second overall) in
the Regimental Weekend’s athletics competition, and the Warri- or Fitness event (thanks to a herculean effort by SSM Lansberry in spite of his aged body) and second place in the Babington Shield competition. The Squadron also took two days out on the Yorkshire Dales mountain biking and hill walking; a welcome break from the tank park and a good chance to bond. Our box- ers, trained by Cpl Fisher and LCpl Foster also excelled in the Peto Cup with Cpl Hitchcock and Tprs Smallwood, Potter and Bassett all winning their bouts with Sergeant Wooderson per- forming exceptionally. Tpr Potter built on this performance as the Regiment’s only victor at the Brigade competition – a fantas- tic result earning him a Commanding Officer’s commendation.
Congratulations are extended to a number of individuals for well-deserved promotions this year. Sgts Foster, Wooderson, Williamson, Wilkes and Isherwood; Cpls Alexander, Bailey, Hitchcock, Fisher, James and Alder; and LCpls Foster, Fletcher, Whittaker, Davies, Griffiths, Neville and Richards all providing the next generation of leaders in the Squadron. We also bid fare- well to some truly influential members of the Squadron. Both Capts Kellard and Paterson have graced the Squadron 2IC seat which is now occupied by the always excitable Capt Gray. Capt Kellard was selected as the Regimental Operations Officer and Paterson selected to command the UK contingent on Operation ELGIN. Mr Lansberry took over from SSM Hobson who was selected as the RQMS and SSgt Rogers returned to B Squadron to take over from SQMS King as he deployed in support of Op- eration ORBITAL. Finally, following his successful completion of the signals school pre-employment training, Sgt Williamson moved his new family to Bovington.
The final week of term saw the Squadron reset with Operation CABRIT firmly in our sights. We received bolstered numbers from both C and HQ Squadron, enjoying the expertise they bring with them. 2019 will be remembered for many highs and a couple of lows, but one in which B Squadron was once again, a force to be “recconed” with.
JRH
Mountain biking in the dales