Page 126 - QDG 2022

124 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Gavin Griffiths enlisted into the British Army in January 2000, at the very young age of 16. Initially, attending Phase One training in AFC Harrogate and then completing specific to arm training at Bovington. After many nights attempting to cut up the dance- floor in Rendezvous, Weymouth, and utilising his Recce skills to get into nightclubs underage, Tpr Griffiths found himself at Regimental Duty, where he joined B Sqn in Catterick.
Coming from North Wales, with a love for rugby, Gav fitted into the Regiment straight away and was a regular starter at the number 12 position. Whilst he was a keen rugby player and represented the Regiment and Corps on numerous occasions, it was not long until he was put to task on exercise and would then deploy on Op-TELIC 1. Now moving to 1st Troop, C Sqn, Gav was employed as the SSM’s Driver, a job that saw him maintaining his vehicle and driving it in some arduous and unforgiving conditions.
In 2004 Gav would begin training to deploy to Northern Ireland and after a full training cycle, he was then turned around to deploy to Iraq, again, on TELIC 5. This time, he would be employed as 3rd Tp Leaders Gunner, a position of seniority and one that saw him very deservedly promote from. This promotion could be for a variety of reasons, but with Gav being caught writing his Tp Ldrs name on a round, by
Rob Lockyer, it’s clear to see there may have been some persuasion involved. With the successful completion of Op-TELIC 5, Gav completed his D&M Instructors course and deployed on a further tour to Iraq. On this tour he was employed within the Task Force Commanders Rover Group.
After three Operational tours, in February 2008 Gav was posted to ATR Bassingbourn as a Section Commander in Korea Troop. On returning from posting, he was employed in the Training Wing. A job where he was able to utilise his vast instructional ability to coach and mentor the younger members
of the Regiment. After a short period, Gav was then posted again. This time to 20 Cadet Training Team in Taunton, a job that would provide a good bit of respite before returning to RD.
After a successful couple of years, Gav returned and deployed to both Kenya as the PRT SQMS and then Sierra Leonne as part of a STTT. Following this, he deployed to Nigeria on OP TURUS as the FP Commander. On return he was HQ SQMS which saw him soon promote to WO2, taking up the role of HQ Sqn SSM. No easy task when taking over “The Peoples WO”.
Throughout his career, Gav has represented the Regiment and Corps in Rugby, attended the Army Snowboarding Cham- pionships and deployed on several diving expeditions. He will always be remembered for his unwavering honesty and the ability to always have an objective opinion which was always intended to find the best possible outcome. To everyone he worked with, he always saw the positive and took a personal interest in developing all those around him. A true mate in every shape and form and a regimental character that will be deeply missed. For the future, Gav will now look to civilian employment where I have no doubt he will continue to flourish and add value. Married to his wife Rachael and with two sons: Gethin and Osian, we wish Gav and his family all the very best for the future.
All the very best Gav and thank you for all the laughs along
WO2 Gavin Griffiths
The Forgotten Campaign
By William Crawford and Jonathan Hunt
Illustrated by Rosemary Coates
Features:
Includes the last British Mounted Actions
G The deployment of the Yeomanry of 1st Cavalry Division with 5000 horses to Palestine in 1940 – 42
G Task: To protect the Middle East
G Describes: All arms fighting incursions into Iraq, Syria and the Lebanon, including cavalry, to
deny Axis control.
G Laid the foundations for some of the great fighting regiments of the war G However being Yeomanry:
G Whilst Churchill was planning to fight on his beaches they were racing horses on theirs. G Also included; Illegal Wives, Illicit Foxhounds and selective deafness plus more!
Price £25. All Net proceeds, approx. £15 per book to
Order from: julia.rouse@southyorks.ssafa.org.uk
the way.
DC
Marriages
Capt T Oakley - 30 Jun 22 Capt MJ Carter - 2 Jul 22 Capt CA Byrd - 23 Jul 22 Lt E Carter - 6 Jul 22
Capt H Chaplin - 3 Sep 22 Lt A Allington - 17 Sep 22 Maj B Williams - 10 Nov 22