Page 48 - QDG 2022

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Officer’s Mess
New Year in Mali
The Officers’ Mess entered 2022 with a majority of members celebrating New Year’s Eve in Mali, an occasion aided by two delicious cans per person (maximum) and the knowledge that PJHQ were on leave in the UK. At home those officers who remained with Regi- mental Duty hosted their partners for a relatively informal dinner night – an event marked by the discovery of several previ- ously unrealised seafood allergies shortly after the prawn starter...
Ugly Saloon”. Featuring traditional Welsh drinks (sambuca, Smirnoff Ice), Welsh dress (cowboy hats, Daisy Duke shorts) and Welsh songs (rock, country) the bar was the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of smart walking.
As the summer wore on, and temper- atures continued to rise, it meant only one thing – it was time for the biggest summer ball the mess has seen in recent years. All officers in camp pulled together as one to prepare for it, though often only
A Sqn medals parade.
Squadron officers dutifully prepared to deploy to Birmingham on Op UNITY. Breaking up the 4-hour journey with a stop at Darby’s, Burger King and then another Burger King for good measure they ensured the finest traditions of SCS were upheld.
The arrival of Autumn heralded several new arrivals: Major Duncan Wiggins as both A Squadron Leader and President of the Mess Committee. Replacing Major Charles Lyne-Pirkis RAMC who had moved on to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (ed: Never heard of them!) his first task was to create a new mess committee from subalterns who had no experience of managing finances, silver or wine from the dark Covid years. Following a tumul- tuous few weeks of reorganisation, the ship was steadied and we could return to our main effort: forcing 2Lt Asquith (a member of the Wine Society) to focus on finding better wine. We’ve also been lucky enough to regain a Mess Sgt in the form of Sgt Powell and it has been a real boon having an experience SNCO behind the scenes once again and the difference, particularly during dinner nights, is palpable. Sgt Powell has been
The early part of the year, with the Mess quiet was the perfect time for some reor- ganisation and re-hanging of the pictures (no small feat given we have several hundred). We were extremely lucky to benefit from the hard work, dedication and excel- lent eye for detail of Richard Dennis, one of the Regi- mental Heritage Trustees. Richard worked tirelessly and the result is marvellous, with everything from swords, shabracks, oils, and water- colours now in perfect order and displayed beautifully. Our thanks to Richard once again.
Despite a budget of £0 (and thanks to an abundance of MFO boxes) the ball was
a roaring success
because Captain Maxwell had threatened them with pain and/or death if they didn’t make more decora- tions. The theme was Ancient Civilisations and officers didn’t hold back in designing the Seven Wonders of the World - Captain Barham hastily assembled the Office Block at Alexandria, the EME designed and built the Good Pyramid at Giza and Captain Upward managed to paint a single Roman shield. Despite a budget of £0 (and thanks to an abundance of MFO boxes) the ball was a roaring success. Champagne flowed like the River Nile and the
As the Regiment returned in strength to its spiritual homeland of Wales for Exercise EAGLE’S RETURN, so too did mess life. The officers first descended on Cardiff’s third best Italian-themed restaurant for the dine-out of Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd before moving swiftly on to a small local pub named “Coyote
food was devoured and thrown in equal abundance. As the sun rose on Super Cider Sunday it soon became clear that the traditional Viking burial style disposal of mess decorations was going to be stopped by the nation’s biggest drought. Unable to burn Norfolk down, officers instead played cricket and quenched their thirst. While this was going on, B