Page 47 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

8RIFLES
despite the lack of sleep and increasing level of exhaustion the overall quality was very high.
Finally, after a quick breakfast, the final challenge was each team had to carry a 120kg dummy casualty around a 1.5 mile route off-road and racing another team. It’s fair to say that this was the most physically demanding of all the tasks, especially as the XO and RSM decided to join in with each circuit to see how the teams worked together around the course. Nothing like a little pressure to keep you motivated!
To recognise Ex Proud Bugle as a (now) battalion wide competition, a new trophy
was needed to present to the winning team. Simultaneously, the Battalion was looking
for a way to commemorate the late Honorary Colonel of Y (RIFLES) Platoon - now Y Coy - Col Brian Denney TD, who had passed away 12 months earlier.
Since Col Brian had been such an instrumental figure in supporting the RIFLES in Yorkshire, and ultimately the creation of 8 RIFLES, a piece of Silverware from the KOYLI collection was redesignated as the Col Brian Denney Cup for Ex Proud Bugle. Furthermore, Col Brian’s two daughters, Laura and Lisa, were invited for the Sunday morning and to present the new trophy to the winning team.
Although the scores were incredibly close all round, this year’s winning team was from
D Coy, led by LCpl Holme, and the standard has now been set for the future iterations of Ex Proud Bugle.
Capt B J Clare, OC YCoy
Stands ranged from Land Rover recovery and setting
up an 8m mast, to a fire-team attack and a CQB lane using simunition
EXERCISE NORTHERN FROSTED SWORD 3
Patrol commanders issue orders before
embarking on the challenging patrol
A total of 28 personnel from 8 RIFLES attended deployed on Ex NORTHERN FROSTED SWORD (NFS) between 18-25 Jan 20, to Val Thorens, France. Main effort being the delivery of Ski Foundation
(SF) training level 1 and 2 designed to introduce novice skiers to the alpine discipline, whilst continuing to develop those with some previous experience.
A comprehensive six-day ski training package was delivered, with an emphasis very much centred on developing physical courage, determination and team bonding - everything the British Army needs to be effective.
On completion of training, all SF1 students successfully passed with the majority of the SF2 cohort doing likewise. Looking ahead and having qualified a sizeable cohort over the last three years, post-COVID measures we will run Ex NFS 4
to stretch ambition into the realms of SF3 in 2022.
As always, Ex NFS was pivotal in identifying those with strong leadership and instructor qualities. Importantly, all personnel had the opportunity to work and socialise alongside a mix of ranks from across the Bn, strengthening inter-Coy relations and providing valuable exposure to key personalities from BHQ outside of a green environment. In the Reserve sphere, AT activities are vital ground to recruitment and retention, whilst cementing teamwork and unit cohesion. In summary, Ex NFS
3 achieved exactly what it was designed to do, was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and will remain a key event for the foreseeable future.
Major R McLauchlan
RAO & Bn Ski Offr
The Late Col Brian Denney’s daughters,
Laura and Lisa, present the Denney Trophy to
The MTWO and RAO enjoy a
All those who attended
Ex FROSTED SWORD
the winning team led by LCpl Holme, D Coy
relaxing coffee after a busy morning’s Skiing
RIFLES The Bugle 47