Regimental Administration Office by Sgt J Lomas
RAO: Det Comd: RAWO: SSA: Maj M Pegg
Capt Topliss/ Capt S Harrington
WO2 Ovenden/ WO2 D Bone
Sgt J Lomas
It has been a hectic year for the Battalion as a whole: the SPS Detachment was no exception. We have spent the past year ensuring the smooth running of administration, providing appropriate support to each Company for both their individual and collective needs as well as quality staff support within BHQ and ensuring that accurate and efficient processes and information were met continually.
The overarching emphasis for the Detachment has been the continued support in all aspects to the Battalion before, during and after the Arms Plot move from Tidworth to Bad Fallingbostel. It is with great pride that I can say that the SPS excelled. The amount of work required to ensure a smooth transition from one theatre to another was both complex and daunting. This was not only because of the inordinate number of tasks for completion in both theatres but also the changing of key personnel within the Detachment during such a pivotal period. The management of administration pre-Arms Plot resulted in a steady state Battalion ready for progression on arrival in Germany. This was in no small part down to the collective efforts of all the Detachment members, ably led by the Det Comd, Capt Topliss, and the RAWO, WO2 Ovenden.
On arriving in Germany, the Detachment had to find its feet quickly. Capt Topliss remained in UK and was replaced by Capt Harrington. More evident was the presence of a new RAO, Maj Pegg, filling the empty shoes left by Capt Williamson who had moved on to Ripon some months before. It soon became evident that, with new leadership, came a fresh perspective and firm direction, enforced ever more strongly by WO2 Ovenden. The Detachment has now negotiated the Battalion through a minefield of issues whilst settling in Germany. From pay and documentation to discipline, Service Funds and appraisals, all have required reinvigoration and a fresh look. However, despite the immense work and effort displayed by the SPS Detachment, we, or at least some of us, have been able to get away from the rigours of work and find time to enjoy the world beyond the confines of the office. This year, the Detachment was able to enter two teams for the AGC Triple Crown
72 October 2010
in Worthy Down. Of the two teams entered in the 12 mile March and Shoot, it was the veterans (Capt Topliss, WO2 Ovenden, Sgt Lomas and a not very old but very fit LCpl Gardner) who came out on top with a surprising time of less than 2 _ hours. The ladies’ team came in at an admirable time of just under 3 hours (Pte Brown, Pte Robertson, LCpl Richardson and Cpl Tasane, acting as honorary female!). The Detachment also entered a team into the AGC Ski Championships. Our illustrious leader, Maj Pegg, led new arrivals Ptes Nairn, Thould and Vaughan to the slopes. No silverware was won by the team as a whole but Pte Thould appears to have found his forte receiving Best Novice. A visit by Comd SPS provided an ideal opportunity to engage in military skills and portray our esprit de corps and soldier- first ethos; showing that we can achieve the aim away from our trade highlights the value we offer to the Battalion in all aspects. This will be ever more apparent and necessary in the coming year.
Many have departed during the year: SSgt Workman stayed in Mooltan Barracks with Capt Topliss, Cpl Hills and LCpl Richardson and is now enjoying resettlement, LCpl Gardner was posted to the RLC in Münster, Cpl Tasane has returned to the UK, Sgt Maynard has left us for London and has recently been selected for promotion to SSgt, Cpl Davies has returned to UK on promotion to Sgt and LCpl Murombedzi has left on promotion to Cpl. Does there seem to be a common trend developing? The latest departure is WO2 Ovenden on promotion
to WO1 (promotion again!) near his home town of Salisbury with his new workplace practically on his doorstep - a promotion fully deserved. The man who has replaced him was (and still technically is) the new FSA on arrival in Germany and is now the RAWO. Recently promoted to warrant rank (yes more promotion!), WO2 Bone is leading the Detachment through the perils and pitfalls of requirements for inspection with a firm but fair hand. WO2 Bone is one of an influx of new members to the Detachment. The Battalion has enjoyed the added support provided by Cpls Braithwaite, Billings, Wilson and Garrod as well as Ptes Nairn, Thould and Vaughan. Each will no doubt bring their own mix of skills to the Detachment. Sgt Nixon has also joined us as the new RA. Before you think I may have changed from the topic of promotion, fear not. A final congratulation must be given to LCpl Brown who successfully gained her promotion recently and was presented her Lance Corporal rank by none other than Comd SPS.
It has been a full and busy 12 months. The Detachment now looks forward to the imminent deployment to BATUS and the subsequent training and deployment for Op Herrick. An even busier year awaits and the SPS will be more than capable of sustaining the Battalion in its most crucial year for some time.
The Mercian Eagle
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