Page 93 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Lance Guard, serving and former Lancers, and one Guard Hussar!
Second placed international team in the French 27th Mountain Brigade’s patrol competition
Back in the UK, the squadron ran a junior leader challenge exer- cise, where soldiers were sent off in pairs for three days with £40, surviving only on their wits and the generosity of strangers, to get as far from Windsor as possible and complete a series of chal- lenges. Two teams made it to the Canary Islands, one climbed a mountain in Switzerland, one blagged a ride in a helicopter and one pair of enterprising LCpls bluffed their way into a meeting with the secretary of state for defence (much to the astonishment of his outer office), having messaged him directly on his Insta- gram account. It absolutely demonstrated the resourcefulness of our junior commanders and I was extremely proud!
The year was rounded off with an operational deployment to Ukraine. Based in Dnipro (which I must say is glorious in the spring), we trained Ukrainian soldiers in first aid, navigation, fieldcraft and live firing. Extremely enjoyable and rewarding
Outside the chapel in Verbier
work in a beautiful country with friendly, engaging locals and an excellent opportunity to learn from combat experiences of the soldiers we were training, many of whom had recently returned from the front line. As a squadron, we loved it.
On a personal note, I finally found someone willing to marry me – a feat even my own family were beginning to doubt possible!
It’s been an absolute privilege to command such a fine bunch of soldiers. As I move on, I wish every success to Max Erskine- Naylor (Royal Scots Dragoon Guards) who succeeds me, and the very best to C squadron as they convert to AJAX this year. I hope I will be invited back for the squadron’s annual ‘shoe hanging’ event (they know what that is!) and look forward to seeing them all at the Cavalry Memorial Parade. It’s been a pleasure.
MHJW
C Squadron Officers and Seniors foolishly decided on a whim to run the Dnipro half marathon
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