of casualties after an IED strike on a convoy.
The two halves of the Company were reunited in September handing over their responsibilities to the RAF Regiment on 30th September on a sombre note because, as we completed the hand over and were preparing to leave Camp Bastion, the RAF Regiment suffered an IED incident resulting in two casualties. We, however, were fortunate to return intact to UK. Sjt Kaye, who had been the Platoon Commander left in Camp Bastion supporting the RAF and US Marines, received a US Navy commendation medal for his work with the US Marines. Although he cannot
wear it with his Afghanistan Medal, he is still very proud of the honour. The Company’s final accolade was the presentation of their Op Herrick medals by the Colonel in Chief in St James’s Palace. The Company formed up in Wellington Barracks and marched down the Mall behind Pte Derby XXIX and the Band of the Royal Artillery - a fitting end to a busy tour.
Conclusion
The Company’s morale remains high. The PSAO, Keith Mahoney, ably assisted by his AO, Miss Gill Morris, continues to administer the Company to a high standard. The stores
F Company
OC: 2ic: PSAO:
Pl Comd: Pl Comd:
Capt C Hymas Lt Spaughton Lt Homer
During the last twelve months, F (Fire Support) Company has seen relief, tragedy, growth and change.
In October 2009, 109 members of the Battalion returned safely from an operational tour as Normandy Company serving on Op Herrick 10. The Company was proud to have supplied and welcomed back 23 of its men and women, the largest contingent in Normandy Company, including a Platoon Commander, 2Lt Tom Spaughton and three Platoon Sergeants, Sgt Bywater, Sgt Green and Sgt Martin. Normandy Company had an outstanding tour and those who deployed are providing a vital insight into current operational practices.
On 11th December, the Company reeled from the news of the loss of Pte Karl “Sweet Cheeks” Hudson in a tragic accident. Karl had been one of the twenty three F Company soldiers who deployed with Normandy Company: he had a bright future ahead of him, he was well loved and respected across the Battalion and he is still sadly missed.
Normandy Platoon
While Normandy Company was deployed, the remainder of F Company continued to train hard, even during the reduced funding in late 2009. As we moved into the New Year, attendance on the Battalion patrolling weekends was excellent and this has continued through the living firing weekends and on to the FIBUA weekend run by F Company on Longmoor Training Estate. Throughout this training, members of Normandy Company have continued to pass on their invaluable experience and knowledge to further develop the remainder of the Battalion. The Company has seen numerous promotions over the last 12 months and congratulations go to Lt Spaughton, 2Lt Homer, WO2 Spooner, CSgt Ainsworth, Sgt Jones, Cpl Bradshaw and LCpls Perryman, Smith, Narr, Josey, Noon and Whitehurst. With members of the Company gaining excellent results on courses, we look forward to more promotions later this year.
Capt Chris Hymas has taken over the reins as PSAO, quickly bringing everything up to standard following a gap of six months since Capt Doug Forrester retired. He brings a bright future to the Company and provides an experienced and calm hand to guide the Company through the day to day requirements for it to function. Our OC, Maj Howard Alcock, has moved to AOSB as a
Pte Karl Hudson 84 October 2010 Pte Binns Live Firing The Mercian Eagle Members of F Company
team leader and we wish him every success in his new posting. It is pleasing to see that soldiers of the Company are fully committed to their local communities in Burton and Kidderminster, flying the flag of The Mercian Regiment during local events. As we move into the summer and towards annual camp, the Company continues to recruit well as part of the force generation for 4 MERCIAN’s part in Op Herrick 14. A good number of F Company’s men and women are keen to support 3 MERCIAN on their forthcoming Operational Tour.
continue to be run efficiently by QPSI Decca Winter and his civilian storeman, Phil Ramsey, who received a glowing report in their recent inspections. The Company is due to send more Riflemen on Op Herrick 14 and we are sure that they will show the highest level of professionalism expected of E Company: we are certain that this deployment will be a resounding success. Training will continue within the current restraints, continuing with the focus on recruiting and training of trained soldiers, the preparation of Riflemen for the deployment on Op Herrick 14 and whatever lies ahead.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164