Waterloo
1. The Bn marked the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo through a series of events across the UK and Belgium. Several members of the Battalion went to Waterloo for anniversary that included the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball and commemorations at Hougoumont Farm, the scene of the 2nd Battalion’s valiant efforts. Back in the UK the a Colour Party was at the service at St. Paul’s Cathedral while the Officers hosted the Warrant Officers for a Waterloo dinner night in Catterick.
Figure 1. The Colour Party at Hougoumont Farm under the watchful eye of WO2 (CSM) Little
Figure 2. The Pipes and Drums at the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball
Figure 3. Scots Guards at Hougoumont Farm
Mounted Gunnery
2. Left Flank and B Coy deployed to Warcop in June to trial the new mounted gunnery shoots for Mechanized Infantry from their respective vehicle platforms. Left Flank fired from their MASTIFF vehicles while B Coy trialled shoots from HUSKY for the Mortar Platoon and JACKAL for the Recce, Snipers, Anti-tanks and Machine Guns. In the glorious Cumbrian sunshine both companies produces some excellent shooting and results. All crews passed their Annual Crew Test (ACT), qualifying them for the remainder of our year on readiness.
Figure 4. A LF MASTIFF moves down range
Figure 5. A Machine Gun Platoon JACKAL in contact
Unit Move to Aldershot
3. The Battalion is now firmly established in our new home at Mons Barracks, Aldershot. While further from home for many of the Battalion, the excellent facilities both in camp in the Aldershot Garrison make up for it. The Officers and Sergeants are now neighbours, with both enjoying far better accommodation than in Catterick. The junior ranks now have their own cookhouse instead of having to share one with three other regiments, while their accommodation remains similar to that in Catterick. Just outside the front gate of camp is the new the Garrison super-gym as well as the Army Sports Centre so there is no shortage of things to keep us occupied.
Figure 6. Parade Square and Company Offices
Figure 7. Junior Ranks Accommodation
Upcoming
4. Looking to the future the Bn will continue to develop our understanding of Mechanized Infantry with C Coy deploying to America in September to conduct exercises alongside the 1st Armoured Division in their Stryker armoured infantry vehicle. BGHQ elements will support them as LOCONs but not before completing CAST on return from Summer Leave. Teams from the Machine Gun Platoon will compete in the 3(UK)Div Mounted Gunnery Competition against other JACKAL crews from across the Army in October while LF and the remainder of B Coy will complete CT1 and 2 training on Salisbury Plain later that month. LF will also deploy to Denmark in November to conduct a joint dismounted exercise with our Danish counterparts.