Page 26 - Cavalry Regiment

26 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Motor Transport
2019 has been a busy year for MT. From changes in personnel to the constant requirements to run training for ourselves and the wider Regiment to the two fleets which both need constant servic- ing. Throughout the year the core of the department under Sgt “Sonic” Davies has taken on each challenge.
The start of the year saw MT under the stewardship of Capt Alan “Chud” Ruddock and WO2 John Mitchell. They spent the first quarter of the year con- tinuing to keep MT on the straight and narrow and dealing with ensuring that MT could support the wider Regiment. They both started 2019 in the knowl- edge that this would be their last year in the Army. Chud had decided that after a long career with the LDs and latterly with the QDG, it was time to settle down and start to concentrate on life in Norfolk. His efforts in MT in his final months meant an easy handover to the new MTO in April to Capt Matt Hansen.
John, with his service running out in Sept 2019, was still working hard as the MTWO while at the same time working on his resettlement. He was chasing vehicles to support range packages, sorting out transport for A Sqn’s R&R from Poland and their return in April and keeping courses running. He eventually stepped aside and handed over the reins to the newly pro- moted WO2 Dil “Tom” Hughes, who came over from the QM(T) department.
The core of MT is the Tprs and JNCOs that serve in it. They are the ones that fix the last-minute issues that come up. They lean forward to support the wider
The core of MT is the Tprs and JNCOs that serve in it.
Regiment with only the smallest of grum- bles as they do. The Cpls are the rock with Cpl Chris Yard delivering a large amount of the training to the Regiment, which is needed for the Sqns to func- tion fully. He’s constantly asking for more licences from other units, to get QDG soldiers through their training. Cpl Rick Williams, who came to MT from A Sqn, ended up behind the details desk constantly on the phone tracking down vehicles so we can run events. Cpl Ward has been the lead in keeping up with the constant need to service the Green Fleet vehicles. As a Cpl he’s had more vehicles to maintain than some Sqns, with only a tenth of the workforce.
The LCpls and Tprs work hard driving details and supporting the NCOs with servicing the fleets. Their jobs are con- stant without much time off. They all end up out and about visiting other units to collect vehicles and equipment and then returning it. Often, they are the only con- tact other units have with the Regiment and they always conduct themselves well. They do a lot of work in the background to support the Regiment, that a lot don’t see and understand, so things work. Their knowledge is leant on by the MTO and MTWO constantly. They have been doing this, in some cases, a lot longer.
MT have deployed in one form or another on all the Regiment’s exercises and ranges this year, usually driving them there and back then in the middle taking part with the rest. On Wessex Storm in September the main bulk of MT deployed as part of A1. There they supported the Regiment with the fuel, rations and water. At the same time, they also managed to help the SQMSs keep A Sqn supplied with their cans of Monster and choco- late bars. MT managed to drive around Salisbury Plain Training Area in one form or another numerous times. There is not a lot they don’t know about the Southern and Northern transit routes... They even managed to get out and support the
Truckin’ over the Plain
LCpl Owen filling the tank
Sqns on several occasions as riflemen running around Imber Village, loving get- ting stuck in.
MT at the end of 2019 finds itself in its usual place: trying to support the wider Regiment, maintain its own kit and training whilst trying to train the wider Regiment for up and coming commitments in 2020. At the same time, they are chasing up the vehicles for the ski teams.
In Jan 2020 we will see LCpl John Bernard return to us after 6 months in BATUK. At the same time Cpl Chris Yard will be heading out to BATUK for 6 months. The call to the wider Regiment is, try and remember the MTWO doesn’t have minibuses and 4x4s hidden on camp! Try and give us a fighting chance to support you by asking as early as pos- sible for our help.
MH
“Behind the jack is a heavily camouflaged Support Vehicle”
“...and this truck is for the blue camcream”