Page 71 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

Warrant Officers’ and Serjeants’ Mess
The Warrant Officers’ and Serjeants’ Mess has had an exceptional period seeing its members spread far and wide. This would generally reflect a quiet period in mess life however due to the support and effort of its members it has been anything but! As the mess generally holds the continuity and experience of a Battalion it seems right that the mess has played a central role for leadership development within 2 RIFLES ensuring that continuous mentoring has been conducted both up and down the chain of command. This has come in many forms one of which was a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer development dinner. The Commanding Officer and the Late Entry Officers were invited as the guests of honour and were hosted by both the Serjeants’ and Corporals’ Mess. The evening ran along the lines of a regimental dinner, which had intermittent explana- tions and briefs on the traditions and customs of the regiment and the battalion. The 2 RIFLES Bugles platoon provided a fantastic bugle display and the Rifleman’s favourite, “High on a Hill”, all under the keen watchful eye of the Bugle Major Serjeant Bruce Perfect. As the evening drew to close with the serving of the port and a final presentation on the memorial silver, the collars loosened and the dit’s started to flow. It was a great event and - well done Mr Vice! (Serjeant Neil Kirwan).
Another lead has been WO2 ‘Aron’ Ryan Walker who organised ‘TED and Toast’: a TED Talk during tea and toast with voluntary attendance from across the Bn. This is a 20 min TED followed by a short discussion on the subject. This gave the oppor- tunity to think, discuss and reflect on our leadership styles, reaffirming that leadership isn’t just a word but an activity undertaken by every Rifleman despite of position and is deeply engrained in our ethos. Continuing the leadership theme the Warrant Officers had a ‘Leadership, CLM and Beyond’ study day headed by the WO1 (RSM) Tony Bramham and the education staff. This was fundamental in cementing the bond and tone on how the mess was going to move forward and led to some interesting discus- sions on current affairs and experience sharing.
The social side hasn’t taken a dip either with mess members vigorously supporting events between commitments. The Rifles members still hold the record for Mr Watch which is passionately contested between WO2 Hensby and Colour Serjeant Ball both ever present and supporting members in the bar. There have been numerous social events including pizza and beers, football events and LIMS socials. The Mess night out on Exercise ASKARI STORM stood out as one to note. It must have been the only evening when everyone seemed positive for the delayed return flight. However, the elation was short lived as the pain of daylight and dehydration presented itself the following morning.
An excellent effort was delivered by both sides during the Officers to Serjeants pre-Christmas games night. The victors being the Warrant Officers’ and Serjeants’ Mess by a mile. This is most likely down to a dedicated pre-training schedule with
commitment of Olympians to win. We are all looking forward to Colour Serjeant ‘Big Kev’ Charles and Lieutenant Kingdom’s rematch. The summer function was a Peaky Blinders theme organised by the station committee and Colour Sejeant Perrott. Best costume went to Serjeant Stevey Wear who wore a heavy overcoat for most of the night (worth mentioning 26 degrees in summer, commitment worthy of recognition). He was closely followed by Serjeant ‘Cunny’ Cunnife (even though he turned up in his everyday attire). The highlight of the night was the horse racing where WO2 ‘Easty’ Eastwood and WO2 Paul Nanchollis were on a roll coming first and second in every race (due to their excitement it felt rude to tell them they were the only two racing).
Special mention to Colour Serjeant ‘Machine Gun’ Dave Comerford for representing the Battalion and the mess on the 75th anniversary of D Day by completing the gruelling Run to Pegasus event. A run from Rushton Airfield (where the invasion force of glider born troops took off on route to their drop zones over occupied France) to Portsmouth; a distance of 62 miles then a ferry crossing followed by a further 3 miles to Pegasus Bridge and continuing for a further 10 miles to a location where a glider landed in error therefore completing the 75 miles befitting the current anniversary. An inspirational effort, well done Dave.
WO2 (RQMS) Chris Bannon President of the Mess Committee
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT WAS THE HORSE RACING WHERE WO2 ‘EASTY’ EASTWOOD AND WO2 PAUL NANCHOLLIS WERE ON A ROLL
THE RIFLES
SECOND BATTALION 69
Serjeant Comerford on the Run to Pegasus event
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