Page 63 - Cavalry Regiment

16 EAGLE AND CARBINE
the sobriquet ‘Bloody’. Notwithstanding the obvious Regimental connection to the battle, there was much to learn from the actions of both sides applicable to our Light Cavalry role some 350 years later, not least recog- nising contemporary counter insurgency methods are a little less macabre. From Rullion Green to Dundee, and a spot of festive go-karting in early December; Sgt Grieve quickest on the day picking up the ‘Tpr Swan Memorial Trophy’ – a squadron trophy gifted in mem- ory of Tpr Swan killed in a car accident in 1981, to be
‘completed for annually in a non-military event’ – in so doing.
Throughout the year, there were opportunities to keep up the convivial relationships the squadron enjoys with organisations from outside the serving Regiment. The first of such opportunities was the attendance of Maj Jamie Irwin, in one of his final acts as B Squadron Leader, at Chester Cathedral to mark the 75th anni- versary of Nunshigum; the squadron maintains a close link to the Carabiniers, and it was a great pleas- ure to spend time with those members of the wider Regimental family in attendance at the service. WO2 (SSM) Lang readily accepted an invitation to represent the squadron on parade with B (North Irish Horse) Squadron at Carrickfergus in May, and the Second in Command Capt Gordon Macfarlane, alongside three other serving officers from his cohort, attended this year’s Carabinier Memorial service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in December.
In sum, a year that began with B Squadron contracting in support of Regimental commitments; that included vital contributions to core training and wider events with the Regimental family; and ends with the squad- ron back to something approaching full manning, ready to tackle the next bound in good heart.
On parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Sgt Grieve picking up some silverware at the go-karting track