and Commons’ Tug of War event, unfortunately the forge was beaten 2-0, the only consolation being that the winning team were the Army and Divisional Champions. The summer and winter ceremonial seasons were pretty full-on this year with an early State Opening of Parliament rolling straight into the Queen’s Birthday Parade. The Forge also assisted with the provision of veterinary cover for the Beating Retreat, and the latter half of the year found the Regiment back down at the HCTW for a Windsor escort. The Forge and the Squadrons were happy to wave goodbye to the horses, as they departed
to grass at the end of November, for the Christmas leave period. In June we said farewell to the RVO Capt Holmes on her posting to Germany and FCoH Black-Wood on his postings to the ASF DAC In July we welcomed the new RVO Maj O’Flynn from her sun-drenched posting in Cyprus and we congratulated FLCoH Stanford and FLCoH Howell on passing their Intermediate Military Farriers Course and FLCpl Hansen on passing his Basic Military Farriers Course, we also congratulated the following on their promotions: FSCpl Freeman to W02, FCoH Sherlock to FSCpl, FLCoH Thomas to FCoH and Tpr Dailly to FLCpl.
Farrier Major
The Forge Tug of War Team by FSCpl Sherlock RHG/D
champions at the outdoor competition in the 680 kg category. We thought we had a chance as this was indoor format and we were confident of our abilities. We did well but went down two pulls to nil, due to them being a far superior team technique-wise. We realised we have a lot to learn to really compete.
I
t was the 3rd of June 2010 and the time had come for us to provide a team for the House of Commons Tug of War competition in aid of the MacMillan Nurses Cancer Trust. The previous year we had managed to achieve a rampant victory over the RAF and, to be fair, had gained confidence in our abilities to do well in future events. This year we had found ourselves up against much greater opposition. We were placed against 11 Signals Regiment who were current Army
Next was the Army Outdoor Championships held at Gamecock Barracks in Nuneaton on 3rd and 4th July 2010. We were accommodated in the gym with the other teams. We ate well and had a few beers the night before, only to wake to find teams in bin-bags running round who obviously were a lot more in tune to the severity of the day’s pulling than we were! This was our first competition in which we faced more than one team and in truth, it hurt. We did not come last, but not far off. The Ski boots adjusted for the competition used by other teams were far superior to our drill boots and we left not discouraged, but determined to learn and improve our standards for the next time round.
Although I still think we might need a curry the night before. We must thank 11 Signal Regiment for all their help and hospitality. We recently competed in the GOC sports day coming second to the Grenadier Guards. While we were superior in technique, it was a catch weight competition and they were just too big to pull. Still, we know for next year and will build a team big enough to compete. The 27th of November 2010 brings us the Army Indoor Championships in which we are determined to do well. We have put in the training, learned a few points from last year, and are starting to gel as a team. It’s a great sport and I would encourage anyone interested to get involved. Hopefully we will be successful but, whatever, we will continue to compete in this sport in the coming years. Please contact the Forge in Knightsbridge if you are interested in competing with us in the future.
Regimental Administration Office by WO2 (SQMS) L M Draper AGC (SPS)
T
he AGC (SPS) Detachment had a somewhat turbulent year regarding manning; we have said goodbye to Lt Col Ian Pendlebury, SSgt Paul Sumner and LSgt Urson Codling. Replacing them we have welcomed in the new RAO, Capt Martin Dansey, SSgt Matt Bolton and into the Sqns Pte’s Dylan Marshall and Daniel Higgins. However, we must not forget Capt Helen McChleary who stood in as the RAO before Capt Dansey arrived. Throughout the year members of the detachment have undertaken a number of activities; of particular note
were: the AGC Triple Crown, AGC Basketball Tour, Nijmegen Marches and Regimental Summer Training. In April LSgt Sessing was fortunate enough to take part in the AGC Basketball tour to Chicago. The trip itself was a huge success but not on the court; they played four but lost four! In May LSgt’s Sessing, Thapa Magar, Thompson and Pte Marshall competed in the AGC Triple Crown March and Shoot Competition. The team completed the 12 Mile route and finished with a respectable time of 2 hrs and 43 minutes, good effort!
50 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Pte Marshall also competed in the Nijmegen Marches. He completed the four-day march with a combined services team from London District. Also, Sgt Walker the SSA led the Regiment to a League and League Cup double in the London District Football league. Finally, the detachment recently passed its Annual Orderly Room Inspection. The Detachment worked extremely hard to achieve its pass and look forward to their ten-day Adventure Training package in Bavaria in October.