form of a bronze medal presented by the Master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers to FLCoH Howell for the most improved apprentice Farrier. The ceremonial season began early again this year with an escort in March. With four men riding on parade and the increased shoeing, the Forge had to step it up a gear to ensure that the shoeing and turn out where kept to the same high standard. Reward came with Easter leave at the beginning of April. April also saw our newest members of the Forge FLSgt Newton and Tpr Dalley depart to the ASF DAC for there Basic Military Farriers course. The summer and winter ceremonial seasons were pretty full this year with Major General’s rolling straight into The Queen’s Birthday Parade, with the Forge also providing vetinary cover for the Beating the Retreat. The latter half of the year found the Regiment back down at the HC Training Wing for a Windsor Escort. The Ceremonial Farrier Major Shoeing
Farriers reunion dinner
Season was topped off with the State Opening of Parliament. The Forge and the Squadrons where happy to wave goodbye to the Horses, as they departed to grass at the end of November, for the Christmas leave period. The Forge completed all Individual Training Doctrines with their usual vigour prior to Regimental Training Camp. Summer Camp passed at its usual pace, with the Forge doing a bit of clay pigeon and drive by shooting, again the rabbits had to go into hiding as FLCpL Turpie turned up with his Land Rover and flat cap ready to make a dent in the Thetford population. The Forge’s equitation skills were kept to their usual standard, with FCoH Sherlock slotting into FCoH Black-Wood place to ride with the RVO on the Handy Hunter. After an unfortunate slip from his stationary horse FCoH Black-Wood was rendered unfit for riding. FLCoH Scott, FL/Cpl Stanford and Tpr Dalley all rode in the junior ranks Handy Hunter. During Open Day, the Forge held its annual apprentice shoe making competition with FLCpL Stanford winning the ‘Casey Cup’.
The Forge was kept busy throughout the year with a few extra-curricular activities: competing in The Lords and Commons Tug of War event, beating the RAF 2 – 0. The Farrier Major volunteered Himself, as there didn’t seem to be any takers, to provide Farrier cover for the Musical Ride when they flew to Abu Dhabi for three weeks, FL/ Cpl Turpie double hatted as a rough rider and farrier for the same period. FCoH Sherlock went to Bahrain to teach Farriery at the Equine centre of the Bahrain defence force for two weeks. We said farewell to FLCoH Hayden, FLCoH Blakeway and FL/Cpl Turpie on there postings to DAC, ASF and welcomed back FLCoH McCabe after 2yrs at the DAC, ASF. We congratulated FL/Cpl Turpie on passing his Intermediate Military Farriers Course, and congratulated the two newest members to join the Forge after passing their Basic Military Farriers course, FLSgt Newton and Tpr Dalley.
AGC Detachment
by LSGT U Codling AGC (SPS)
2
009 Regimental Training Camp opened up some new experiences for our AGC Detachment. Examples include, Sgt Walker getting lost (even with the use of a Sat Nav) and LSgt Sessing finding out horses aren’t as bad as he thought, they are worse! First on the agenda was locating our work space where we would be spending three quarters of the training camp. With printers, computers and laptops all unpacked, we suddenly realised the laptops did not have the correct software for the printers; paperweights are always required! Fortunately, we managed to procure new
laptops from the QM’s (surprisingly) which worked a treat with the printers. Throughout the training there were a number of activities which were enjoyed by all. These included barbeques, clay target shooting, games night in the Mess, Squadron days (and nights!) out and go carting. Some of us even ventured into the nearby towns of Watton, Norwich and Thetford, as well as the American Air Base at Lakenheath. The first week started off with the RAWO, WO2 Draper, SSA, Sgt Walker, LCpl Thompson and I holding the fort. It was quite busy as we had to
42 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
The RAWO on her first jump