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1st BATTALION WELSH GUARDS

WO2 (QMSI) W Mclay RAPTC

I
arrived at the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, based at Cavalry
Barracks in Hounslow, in April 12, taking over from SSgt (SSI)
Steve Brown RAPTC, now Capt Steve Brown ETS. Unfortunately

I did not deploy with the unit currently on HERRICK 16. My job
was to ensure the Rear Operations Group were it and healthy.

After a quick induction to the foot guards way of life, from

memoranda to drill (taking me back to my pre Corps days as an
ex infantier), I was set to don barrack dress, swap the ash pole
for a pace stick and get on the drill square. It was all hands to the
pump, even attached arms were on ceremonial duties. I found

myself taking Guardsmen on drill, much to the units delight and
amusement, even the Commanding Oficer mentioned “tickets will
be on sale from the Drill S’arnt” during his weekly conference. I
look forward to assisting with “Trooping the Colour” in summer
2013, as the Welsh Guards lead the parade.

During the later part of 2012, I deployed to Cyprus as “The
Beach Master” on Tunnel Beach for three months. My role was to WO2 Mclay Handover-SSgt Brown
organise the Activities Phase of Decompression. My ‘tan’ quickly

darkened and obviously looked great on my Adonis body!
Hound camp for 24 hours before returning home to Blighty. It
was extremely rewarding to see the not so happy faces on arrival,
9,500 men and women returning from Afghanistan came to us turn to happy ones after a day of sunbathing, water skiing, sailing,
during that period. The troops were accommodated at Blood
horse riding, mountain biking and kayaking.

1st BATTALION IRISH GUARDS

SSgt (SSI) I Mugglestone RAPTC
“L
ife goes on”...that’s what
they say. For the 1st Battalion

Irish Guards (1 IG) it couldn’t be
more true. It doesn’t seem ive minutes
since we came back from HERRICK 13,
having lost 3 brave men to the cause.

Yet, in the blink of an eye the Battalion
has settled in to its new home at Mons
Barracks, Aldershot and we’re a year
down the line!

The Lourdes Military Pilgrimage seemed
a million miles away when it was irst
mentioned in one of many CO’s ‘O’
900 Miles Done
groups early in 2011 and what an idea
it was – 4 Soldiers travelling 1300 miles
on motorcycles through France to the Camp was a bit of a whirlwind and bodies
Military Pilgrimage held annually in from all were included. Full training was
Lourdes and then on to Spain via the carried out and we were all certiied to

Pyrenees Mountains. It was by far the work as the Dorney Lake security team. I
most amazing experience I’ve had in my Highest point Isle of Jura
don’t think the men saw as much of the
11 years of riding a motorcycle. Not just rowing as they would have liked, however,
for the riding though, as I met some weird there was a job to do and they carried it out The weather varied from wet to very wet

and wonderful individuals on the journey, from start to inish without missing a beat.
with intermittent sunny periods, which
including a very drunk French Foreign meant our Gore-Tex was on and off more
Legion Soldier who told me that “passing With the Olympics inished the Battalion times than a Light House in a storm!
the Legionnaires course was easy and got in to some good old Company level However, this never lowered the group’s

anyone could do it”!
training, alongside which, the Battalion mood as we knew we were taking part in
Operations Oficer organised an AT exped something quite unique that only a small
On our return from Lourdes the Battalion to the Isle of Jura, an Island off the West number of individuals had done before.
was as busy as ever getting ready for the Coast of Scotland. The exped was a six The exped inished off with a couple of

impending London 2012 Olympic Games. day unsupported walk over Falkland’s type well deserved distillery visits on the Isle of
The Battalion were tasked with the security terrain, carrying full kit (civilian) and Arctic Islay, which went down very well!
of Dorney Rowing Lake, near Eton. A great rations. This was another trip that I didn’t
venue that would hopefully see some new want to miss out on, so I volunteered my I have really enjoyed my time with 1 IG and
British stars rise. Pre-training at Longmoor
MLT skills straight away.
I am leaving with a smile on my face!