Page 31 - QDG 2022

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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Smart as carrots!
countries contributing to peace keeping missions throughout the world. Corporal Rugan, Lance Corporal Simms and Lance Corporal Francis represented the Squadron, donning their blue berets again for the event, which included a march through London City, a reception with numerous dignitaries and an oppor- tunity to pay respects to those who had died whilst in the duty of peacekeeping. The three who attended represented the Squadron well and gave another oppor- tunity for the QDG to be celebrated on parade.
PNCO Cadre including exercise and Bayonet Range
Alongside the return to basic soldering, C Squadron organised a Potential Non-Commissioned Officer course for those junior soldiers who required the qualification ahead of promoting. This saw a week of in-camp lessons followed by a week on exercise on Thetford Training Area. The in-camp lessons, taught by a range of both Officers and Soldiers included the roles and respon- sibilities of an NCO, map reading, values and standards and an introduction to the combat estimate. These lessons were all then tested during the arduous exercise, where the young soldiers were tested through section attacks, night navigation exercises and basic field administra- tion. As part of the course, the students were also put through a bayonet range. Again, another element which was second degree fun and despite some very wet and tired junior soldiers, there were some big smiles as each student successfully completed this element. To mark the completion of the course, the lead instructors – Lieutenant Ed Dillon and Sergeant Pugh conducted a formal parade for the successful soldiers. This was attended by Brigadier Guy Foden, the new commander of 7th Infantry Brigade. After a successful parade and the awarding of the prizes, including top student to Trooper Sally Faulkener, there was a welcome period of leave for rest and recuperation.
Parade Season
As spring turned to summer and the QDG Task force returned from completing
A far cry from Augusta!
Operation NEWCOMBE 3, the Squadron focus shifted to the opportunity to complete a series of Home Coming parades to celebrate the successful operational phase. Once the programme for Ex EAGLES RETURN was released, the Squadron took their time to ensure their uniforms fitted well and that they got their heads back into foot drill. As the Squadron Sergeant Major, WO2 Gareth Roberts, noted, the majority of this prepa- ration involved exchanging uniform due to the amount of weight lost experienced over the deployment on operations.
The first of the formal parades was the Freedom of Dereham Parade. C Squadron took the lead for this parade
and ensured there was
drill programme, the Squadron was able to take full advantage of Maindy Barracks’ premium location during the evenings and weekends. This include visiting both the Regimental Museum – The Firing Line, and the Principality Stadium. Mr Darren Carew, a former Senior NCO within C Squadron during Op HERRICK 9, who now works for the Welsh Rugby Union was generously able to provide free tickets to the Squadron for a grand tour of the Principality Stadium. All that went had a thoroughly enjoyable tour, with highlights included lining up in the tunnel looking out onto the pitch and having access to the changing rooms,
some fine Cavalry swagger.
Despite a few timing, tongue
and tik tok related issues, the
Regiment looked exception-
ally smart as it practiced its
freedom of the local town
and commenced the start
of the parade season. The
Squadron, along the rest of
the Regiment then transi-
tioned to Maindy Barracks
in Cardiff. After a few days
of rehearsals, the Squadron
was fortunate to participate
in the Freedom of Cardiff
Parade in the presence of our Colonel-in-Chief, at the time,
the Prince of Wales. This was
the first time many soldiers
had ever marched with a live drum and in the presence of Royalty. Despite this pressure, due to the steadying hand of some of the more senior members of the Squadron, the Prince of Wales received a smart salute from the marching division and a fun march through the city centre. To celebrate the occasion, a BBQ was held in Maindy Barracks followed by a quiet night in...
In amongst the demanding parade schedule and the scrutiny of the RSM’s
press room and executive boxes. In true rugby and soldier style, the majority of the tour was spent with the Welsh and English mocking one another and their rugby achievements. It was also during this visit that Captain Will Groome generously offered to purchase two hospitality boxes for the 2023 Six Nations season for the benefit of the Regiment. It is this dedication to the Regiment which means Captain Groome will leave the Regiment next year with the affection of members of the Squadron.
Following Cardiff, the Squadron then moved north to Wrexham for the freedom parade. Lance Corporal Tyler Roberts quickly became the local tour guiding pointing out all the top dining destinations – all one of them. Wrexham was a long but well-received parade. Of note, it was nice to have the Regimental Comrades attend in force, not only for the parade but also for the reception which followed. Many drinks were shared by serving and
veterans of C Squadron.
Towards the end of the parade season
In true rugby and soldier style, the majority of the tour was spent with the Welsh and English mocking one another