Page 57 - The Bugle 2018

the FRV. By the time of the final attack on Otterburn airfield, the North of England was so waterlogged as to render the streams impassable, necessitating a rapid switch of assault axis.
With the airfield clear and the area secure, cadre students might have been forgiven for relaxing after a job well done. Unfortunately, the devious NDF had other ideas and had extracted by air to a final, final position at RAF Spadeadam airfield. Four-wheel drive Chinooks were on hand to whisk the company into position, and after a complex, hard-fought attack across some truly disgusting terrain and a backdrop of abandoned Russian aircraft, the enemy was finally defeated. The Riflemen were at last able to relax, safe in the knowledge that they had completed their final exercise. So too was Lt Brash, his quest to find the world’s worst piece of ground at an end.
The cadre concluded with students earning their M and K range qualifications, allowing them to deliver blank and live fire training to the Riflemen soon to be under their command. With that done, it was a crash course in The Rifles’ favourite activity – drill. In the capable hands of drill pigs Sjts Hanson and Sutherland, the cadre prepared for its final parade. By hard work and long hours on the square, an excellent parade was the result, culminating in the most special moment when the Riflemen doubled
off the square to become the Regiment’s 74 newest Lance Corporals.
The parade was inspected and addressed by Brig Charles Maconochie, former Commanding Officer of 3 RIFLES. He remarked on the standard of the parade and the significance of the achievement, and presented awards to those who had delivered an exceptional performance. The “thinking, fighting Rifleman” award, for the student who had scored the highest on all practical and theoretical tests, was awarded to Rfn (now LCpl) Horsburgh, of 3 RIFLES. The “Chosen Man” – the student considered by his peers to be the best on the course – was presented to Rfn (now LCpl) Mylum of 4 RIFLES. Lastly, the Kirkness Cane for the top student was awarded to Rfn (now LCpl) Harding, of 3 RIFLES, who had the privilege of leading his fellow JNCOs off the square and into their new roles.
As a platoon commander on the cadre, it was an immense privilege to work with this most talented cohort from across the battalions. Those JNCOs who doubled off the square had all shown tremendous grit and determination to get there, and their leadership potential was tangible throughout. In their hands, the future of our Riflemen looks bright. Lt Will Lancashire
A Company
IN THE CAPABLE HANDS
OF DRILL PIGS SJTS HANSON AND SUTHERLAND, THE CADRE PREPARED FOR ITS FINAL PARADE
Where there’s water there’s cover. Riflemen race down a stream during a Section Attack
THE RIFLES
THIRD BATTALION 63