Headquarter Company
by Maj A R Seager OC:
CSM: CQMS: Maj A R Seager
WO2 (CSM) J Worboys CSgt G Leech
A busy period for HQ Company, but then it seems that they all are! No sooner had the Company recovered safely from theatre than it was time to start planning for the Homecoming parades. Every department was involved in the move to and occupation of Beckingham camp for the December parades, a feat that was repeated in March with the Spring Freedom Parades and KAPE tour. It seemed that there was no let-up in the week preceding Christmas leave, especially for the RCWO and his team who excelled themselves; the soldiers’ Christmas lunch was hugely enjoyable and every night seemed to be a dinner night.
After the respite of Christmas, the team was straight back into the game, the Board of Officers and MEI ensuring that everyone knew that the festive season was over. The Departments quickly resumed their various rôles as the framework on which all other activity could hang. It would be impossible to single out any department as not pulling far above its weight: all worked hard ensuring that drivers are trained, signallers and commanders are taught the intricacies of the latest Bowman communications equipment and that the Battalion is correctly administered and paid. The QM’s department seems to be riding a rollercoaster of new equipment and inspections and the Chefs are travelling the length and breadth of the Country feeding training troops. Throughout the period, the Welfare Office continued to provide the high levels of support that the families here in Palace Barracks have become accustomed to, with a steady stream of events and activities to suit all ages; the
value of the Welfare Office was never more ably demonstrated than when someone decided to rearrange the front gate shortly after midnight one day.
It isn’t all hard work, however, as sports are being played and there is a steady trickle of individuals heading off for adventure training. It is expected that 2010 will continue in the same vein as it started; HQ Company will continue to work hard behind the scenes without glamour to ensure that the Battalion is ready for the challenges of Ex Askari Thunder and the deployments beyond. If all that wasn’t enough, the Company has had to get used to a new OC; I am happy to report that they have treated him kindly and made him very welcome.
It is mentioned elsewhere, but all members of the Company were saddened by the death in a road traffic accident of Sgt Kev Wyatt REME, who had only recently been posted from our LAD.
Quartermasters Department
by Maj R Slaney Is it six months since the 2nd Battalion returned from Op Herrick 10? As always, the Quartermaster’s Department has been instrumental in the recovery process and, while the rest of the Battalion settled back into some sort of normal routine, the unsung heroes continued to unpack, check then check again the vast amount of equipment and stores recovered from Afghanistan before bringing it all back onto the UK accounts. Every flight back was met at RAF Aldergrove by a G1/G4 team who relieved the soldiers of rifles and equipment in order to get back to Palace Barracks, where they proudly marched through camp to the waiting crowds of family and friends before being handed a well-deserved beer.
Spot the Difference
This safe and welcome return of 2 MERCIAN was the start of some changes to the department. First of all Maj Gary Cotterill handed over the reins to myself, Maj Fred Slaney, much to the delight of all the Forest Fans (Cpl Allseybrook look in). WO2 (RQMS) Lewis swapped his big badge for an even bigger badge to become WO1 (RSM) having handed over to WO2 (RQMS) Peach who returned after two years as an instructor with OPTAG. CSgt Nick Catton managed to escape after 17 years’ loyal service to become the G10 CSgt at ATR Bassingbourn and Cpl Bennett also fancied a change and is currently on a Sp Weapons cadre with D (FSp) Coy. Cpl Parsons has moved to the Provost Sect and the Dept is most definitely a quieter place without him. Pte Pettinger was posted to ITC Catterick as a CQMS storeman. With gaps obviously starting to appear in the ORBAT, it was time to recruit some new blood into the Dept. Following a successful Jobs Fair, LCpl Macleod from C Company was selected to join the fold and we wait patiently for Pte Dodds from B Company who will make us complete once again.
Apart from the huge success on the G4 front, the Dept has a number of people worthy of a mention. The QM (T), Capt Gary Spencer, was selected to attend ICSC and, as such, will promote to Maj; both WO2 (RQMS) Triandfilou and WO2 (RQMS) Peach have been selected by the WO1 board and will take up RSM appointments at 3 and 4 MERCIAN respectively, both well deserved and they will be greatly missed. CSgt Bell was promoted to substantive rank and, in celebration, won the Army veterans (over 40) in Cross Country and a respectable 3rd during the Combined Services. Both Sgts Hartshorn and Buck promoted to substantive rank. Many congratulations to you all and good luck in your new appointments.
QM’s Dept at work The Mercian Eagle
QM’s Dept at play October 2010 47
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