Page 102 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017
P. 102

100 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
 Regimental Weekend at Catterick
Since amalgamation, this was the 2nd time the Royal Lancer Old Comrades Association (RLOCA) had paraded at Catter- ick. The first occasion being the tercentenary and the second
being Mons Day, the Regimental Day.
Mons was chosen by the Joint Amalgamation Committee as the regimental day of the Royal Lancers as it is the only battle (and emblazoned Battle Honour) at which all regiments of Lancers fought together. The exploits of the 5L, 9L, 12L and 16L have been well chronicled. However, during the last two years it has become apparent that both the 17L and 21L were represented in significant numbers on the battlefield, despite the majority of both regiments being posted overseas. The 9L had nearly a squadron’s worth of 21L attached and the names of their fallen are included on the 9L memorial at Canterbury. A large number of 17L were attached to the composite regiment of 2LG, and this is research is in progress, being done by Home Headquarters and Mr Keith Wade.
End of an era
The RLOCA were invited to join the Regiment’s Mons Day cele- brations in Catterick. The main events being a regimental sports competition (with the RLOCA as spectators!), an all ranks func- tion on the Saturday night where the RLOCA could participate on almost level terms and a church parade on the Sunday morn- ing. Not only was this the Regiment’s first celebration of Mons Day, but it would see the parading of the new Guidon, and the marching off of the two antecedent ones. The all rank’s function was an excellent evening. A considerable amount of effort had gone into the Squadron bars. The RLOCA were full of praise of how well they had been hosted, and what an excellent evening it had been.
“The Royal Lancers will march to church, Old Comrades leading”
I must have missed that joke!
The parade in the morning was always going to be a sombre af- fair, for some it was a celebration of the future, for others it was an emotional farewell to their pasts. The RLOCA contingent was 51 members strong and were led by Major General Searby CB in his role as Chairman of The Royal Lancers Charitable Trust. The RLOCA Banner was carried by Mr Tony Wilson. The day was a perfect day, the sun was out, but not too hot and all the RLOCA, despite their best efforts the night before, ‘stood fast.’ After the parade, the RLOCA adjourned to their respective messes for lunch, again the regimental hospitality and generos- ity was evident as two generations dined together again.
PAW
     All young men in spirit, if not all in body
The service






















































































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