Page 140 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

A highlight was being able to camp out in the shadow of Ben Nevis
HQ Coy
HQ Company was created in November 2017 and given a home in Bishop Auckland, alongside the Battalion Headquarters. At first it seemed an overwhelming challenge to form a new company from the ground up, whilst also trying to revitalise the Army Reserve Centre in Bishop Auckland. Through sheer hard work, and the dedication of our Riflemen we are now a fully-fledged company operating from a Headquarters fit for any Battalion. Our formation was immediately boosted by taking in those with specialist qualifications from our neigh- bours, D Company. It also became quickly apparent as to how strong The Rifle’s brand and footprint in North Yorkshire and Southern Country Durham truly is, with a flood of regulars re-joining, as well as transfers from nearby Reserve units.
Having gained the manpower, and work being underway on the building, the Company’s focus turned onto not only supporting the Battalion exercises, but also to training our own Riflemen. As Riflemen we always have a keen focus on physical robustness and marksmanship. Building on last year’s success, HQ Company took the lead for the shooting team. Sjt Fenwick, as our senior coach, led the team to success in the Battalion Operational Shooting Competition, claiming best shot and best team. Sjt Fenwick’s skill was recognised at Army level and he was selected to compete as part of the Army Shooting Team in the US during Ex FORTUNA. The shooting team will now spend the next eight months preparing for the Brigade and Divisional Operational Shooting Competitions, with an aim to enter Bisley in 2020.
FOR THREE OF THE FIVE CREW THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TIME SAILING AND THEY WERE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE A COMBINATION OF OPEN SEA SAILING AND MOTOR SAILING
Riflemen from across HQ Company have also seized the opportunity to deploy on an adventurous training sailing exhibition around the North Coast of Scotland and through the Caledonian Canal. This voyage would see the team of five sail the Infantry Yacht ‘Fusilier’ from Peterhead, through the Caledonian Canal and onwards to Oban. For three of the five crew this was their first time sailing and they were able to experience a combination of open sea sailing and motor sailing during the canal phase. Highlights included the passage through Loch Ness and camping out in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Not only did the Riflemen learn new skills, but they also experienced the sight of these famous Scottish landmarks and visited areas of Scotland that they had never been to before.
Major Paul Blaney, OC HQ Company
HQ Coy took gold in the individual and team events during the Operational Shooting Competition
138 SEVENTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES