Quartermaster’s Department
by Warrant Officer Class 2 (RQMC) Parker, The Blues and Royals
T
he Quartermaster’s Department has enjoyed an extremely challenging, yet highly successful year. One in which it has supported the Regiment both in camp with the development a number of infrastructure projects, on exercise with deployments throughout the United Kingdom and as far afield as Kenya, Belize and BATUS in Canada on Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4. The year started with a new RQMC in post. I arrived to take over from the now RCM WO1 Ireland who, after an extremely successful time as RQMC moved onto bigger and better things. My arrival came at the same time as a departmental restructure, with several accountants changing role. LCpl Abdulahi (RLC) took over as the clothing store person from LCoH Elder, who in turn took over as the ammunition NCO. There were also movements for LCoH Solis who moved to the QM(T) department and LCoH Thoman who came into the department as the Works Liaison Officer (LWLO) 2ic. The Department had a relatively quiet
January; however, by mid-February it was in full swing, supporting the Regiment with either the planning of or the execution of a number of key events. This included B Squadron’s deployment to Warcop, the Regimental PNCO Cadre, Panther courses, B3 Gunnery and a number of Collective training level 1 (CT1) events. Easter leave was upon us in no time at all and, after a much needed two week break, the Department returned to work to the news that the Regiment had been selected to support an Army equipment and training support trial. The trial took place at Castlemartin ranges (CMR) where the regimental annual firing camp took place over a three week period. Upon completion of the firing camp, the trial was declared a success so much so we were selected to conduct phase 2 of the trial on Salisbury Plain in September, where the Regiment conducted its Collective Training level 2 (CT2).
The QM and SCpl Goater trying to work out which way is up!
STORM 4. This saw soldiers from across 1 Brigade join up with the Regiment to form the Household Cavalry Battle group (HCR BG). The HCR BG was a complex and diverse organisation consisting of over 800 soldiers, all of whom were supported in every aspect by the QM’s team. Upon completion of the exercise, the Department returned to the UK and moved straight into supporting A Squadron on Ex WESSEX STORM, another BG level Exercise.
Following CT2 training, the Regiment deployed to BATUS on Ex PRAIRIE
LCoH Elder, on the left, with Lt Comyn holding the trophy, helping the Regiment win the London District squash tournament 2015
The QM’s Dept 2015
Looking to the future the department will see the movement of a number of key personnel within the Department. The Quartermaster, Capt A J Galvin, moves on promotion having secured a place on a Staff Course and SCpl Goater will make the transition to civilian life.
Quartermaster (Equipment) Department by Captain S B Taylor, The Life Guards
P
rior to the end of 2014, the Department said good by to Capt Gardner who moved the short distance to HCMR to take over as QM. Capt Taylor then took over the role as QM(E) and went straight onto the All Arms Quartermasters Course at Deepcut. The year started with the QM(T) doing a fast and furious Bde Recce to BATUS in preparation for
the main event of the year, Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4 (PS4). The first main event for the Department was to conduct Collective Training 1 (CT1) on Salisbury Plain Training Area in February - cam nets up, cam nets down - good old basic drills rehearsed several times,as well as moving in convoy day and night and other actions on. The weather being February
didn’t help, but was always challenging for training and working in unpleasant conditions, especially when it comes to recovery. The Department had a staff move alongside the QM’s Dept. In total during the year we said goodbye to LCoH Rose to civilian life, LCoH Thoman, LCpl
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 21