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Second to None
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Second to None
(The Coldstream Guards Newsletter)
Edition 5
May - June 06
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Welcome to the Jungle
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LSgt Henry and the Jungle Warfare Instructors Course
Lance Sergeant Gyvon Henry of No.2 Company is the latest member
of the Regiment to specialize in out of area operations having
recently completed the Jungle Warfare Instructors Course (JWIC).
The course took place in Brunei and lasted for 6 weeks. During
that time, LSgt Henry, from St Catherine in Jamaica, lived rough
in the jungle, learning firstly how to survive, and then how to
fight in this most hostile of environments. He also had the
chance to add a few delicacies to his normal menu, including
snake, which we are told tastes a bit like pork or chicken!
River crossings, jungle camp attacks, booby traps, tracking and
jungle navigation were just some of the many skill sets that
LSgt Henry had to master. The entire course was rounded off with
an intensive tactical test exercise.
Talking about his experiences, LSgt Henry says that this was his
most demanding training course yet. Just moving from A to B in
the jungle can be a struggle. The need to move silently and not
leave any sign of your passing behind you means that movement
can sometimes be reduced to just a couple of kilometres a day.
In addition, the jungle is notorious for the increased
difficulty of navigation. Often, you can only see about 30
metres in front of you at a time.
Having completed the course, LSgt Henry was able to take a few
days well earned local leave with his fellow students. Despite
the challenges of the course, LSgt Henry thoroughly enjoyed
himself and is looking forward to passing on his knowledge to
the rest of his Company during the forthcoming exercise in
Kenya. It is hoped that each Company within the Battalion will
get to spend one week in the Jungle at Kathendini during the
Battalion exercise due to take place in Kenya during August,
September and October.
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The Wakefield Bar is open for business
The start of the World Cup marked the birth of another
Coldstream institution with the grand opening of the Wakefield
Bar. Situated in the NAAFI complex, the bar (named after Gdsm
Anthony Wakefield who was killed in action in Iraq last year) is
run by Gdsm, for Gdsm. It has a TV screen and serves the
cheapest drinks in Windsor. It can also be booked for Coy/Dept
functions. All profits from the bar go to the PRI account, which
in turn pays towards adventurous training and sporting
facilities within the Battalion. PRI money can also be used to
pay for live entertainment at Battalion functions or other
similar activities at the discretion of the Commanding Officer.
The Quartermaster and Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant are the
overseers of the bar, but the bar staff are provided by serving
Gdsm from each of the companies. It’s your bar, so enjoy it. Use
it, but don’t abuse it. And when you buy your first drink, raise
a glass to the memory of Tony Wakefield.
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Jack of all trades
The Pioneer Section – 1st Bn Coldstream Guards
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When Sergeant Simon Jackson decided to join the army, he made a
conscious decision to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by
joining the Coldstream Guards. However, Simon didn’t realise
exactly how closely he would be following his grandfather’s
example. Sergeant Jackson’s grandfather served as the Pioneer
Sergeant of the 3rd Bn during the Second World War and 61 years
later, Simon is now the Pioneer Sergeant of the 1st Bn.
The Pioneers of the Battalion are the original ‘Jack of all
trades’. When in barracks, the Domestic Pioneer Section’s
responsibilities include minor barracks repairs involving
carpentry, plastering, fixtures and fittings , painting and
sign-writing. Evidence of their skills are everywhere in
Victoria Barracks, but none more so than in the Sergeants Mess
where they completely rebuilt the bar in two days flat! They
also constructed virtually every display cabinet, mail tray and
desktop organiser that you come across in the camp. Among Sgt
Jackson’s many qualifications are Higher National Certificates
in Craft Carpentry and Building Regulations.
When the Battalion deploys on operations, each Rifle Company
deploys an Assault Pioneer (Combat Engineer) Section. Assault
Pioneers are used for a wide range of tasks including explosive
demolitions, obstacle erection and clearance, mine warfare,
water purification, boat handling and assault bridge
construction. Infantrymen gain the Assault Pioneer qualification
by attendance on a four week course held at Gibralter Barracks
near Blackwater.
The Pioneers bring a wide range of skill sets to the Battalion
and they are in huge demand on a day to day basis. In addition,
the experience and skills gained by the Pioneers serve them well
in civilian life when they eventually reach the end of their
military careers. Anyone interested in a career with the
Battalion Pioneers should approach the Quartermaster through
their platoon and company chain of command.
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Inter-Company Pace
Sticking 2006
It’s the time of year that every Sergeants Mess Member dreads.
Throughout April and May, the Battalion’s LSgt’s, Sgt’s and
CSgt’s were hiding, ducking down back alleys, volunteering for
all kinds of strange courses and external training commitments
as they sought to avoid being selected for the most stressful
‘sporting’ event in the calendar – the Inter-Company
Pacesticking Competition! The Company Sergeant Majors ruthlessly
dealt with the usual excuses from their Mess Members; excuses
like ‘…my sticks broken’, ‘…I’m excused boots’, ‘…my No.2 Dress
hasn’t been tailored yet’ and finally produced their teams.
CSM Waller (Sp Coy) had a minor heart attack on the Thursday
night when his two ‘star-stickers’ from the Corps of Drums were
taken off him for a Garrison Massed Bands rehearsal! After being
given emergency cardiac massage by the Sergeant in Waiting, the
hard pressed CSM ventured into unknown territory by dragging the
Mess Members of the Sniper and Recce Platoons kicking and
screaming from their camouflaged office to parade in their
finery.
D-Day came on Fri 12 May 06 when the chosen few paraded on
Victoria Barracks Square. The Lord God Almighty, reluctant to
incur the wrath of the Regimental Sergeant Major, ensured that
the competition was blessed with blazing hot sunshine and barely
a hint of a cross-wind. As the beer tent filled with gloating
‘pace-sticking experts’ in suits who had miraculously just
finished their courses, old soldiers and bemused looking
officers, the action began.
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The afternoon saw the full range of emotions and crisis points
associated with this auspicious form of drill. Dropped sticks,
broken sticks, you name it. As the stock of beer sank lower in
the tent, the ‘ooh’s’ and ‘aagh’s’ and ‘never in my day…’
comments grew louder. At the conclusion of the competition, the
crowning glory went to No.7 Coy (always the bookies favourites),
although all of the teams had put in extremely creditable
performances.
This year saw an even higher number of ‘virgin-stickers’ than
usual taking part, which bodes well for the future of Coldstream
Pace-Sticking teams. CSgt Bell (CQMS No.3 Coy) walked away with
the trophy for best sticker. CSM Quinton (No.3 Coy) was
subsequently tasked with the serious business of training the
Battalion team for the All Arms World Championship competition
at Sandhurst.
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The board of judges comprised Col JJS Bourne-May (the Regimental
Lt Col), Capt AP Jasinski, WO1 Bill Wilson and WO1 Ady Hunter.
All prizes were kindly donated by Mr Victor Barley of Mappin and
Webb for which the Battalion are extremely grateful.
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Trooping the Colour
2006
The Queen’s Birthday Parade took place on the 17th June 2006 on
a blazing hot Saturday. The 1st Battalion took part in this
annual event for the first time since 2000, providing the 66
rank and file, 4 seniors and 3 officers for No.5 Guard. In
addition, the Battalion provided 180 street liners and 50 odd
men on associated fatigues, not to mention the dismounting
Queens Guard for the day. Two of the street liners only arrived
from basic training at ITC Catterick four days before the
parade! No.7 Coy, old hands at the Queen’s Birthday Parade,
provided No.6 Guard as usual. The Colour being trooped this year
was the Queen’s Colour of the Welsh Guards. In order to mark
this year as Her Majesty’s 80th birthday, a large section of the
parade fired volleys of blank ammunition inside the forecourt of
Buckingham Palace after the march back down The Mall.
The parade brings to a neat close a hectic three months of
intense kit preparation, drill parades, dress rehearsals and
early mornings following the Battalion’s move to Windsor. The
focus will now gradually shift to the preparation for the
forthcoming exercise in Kenya. The Commanding Officer and
Regimental Sergeant Major would like to publicly thank all
members of the Battalion who have worked so tirelessly to make
the past three months a success. Well done troops!
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The 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards (1815)
A contribution from Mr David G Bilcliffe
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On the 28th November 2005 you may have seen the History
Channel’s Battlefield Detectives – Waterloo. For the first time
ever, historians re-traced the Battlefield Commanders steps in a
virtual reality replica of the Battle of Waterloo, thanks to
revolutionary 3D field laser-scanning technology. This was
“bought to life” when permission was granted for the Coldstream
Guards (1815) Living History team to camp within Hougoumont and
fire our flintlocks muskets through the gun loops carved into
the walled gardens at Hougoumont by Coldstream Guards 190 years
earlier. Quiet possibly the first time they had been fired
through since 1815… Now that really did make the hairs stand up
on the back of my neck!
Footsteps on historic battlegrounds is one way of finding out
about your heritage, but some would say that to really
understand what it must have been like you have to be there.
But, you need to wear the linen and wool clothing, fit a leather
stock, carry the trotter pack, load, ram rod and fire a period
firelock charged with black powder! Doing just that at
Hougoumont, and marching on the Battlefields of Waterloo, is
just one of the many ways that living history enables a magic
combination; not only is it fun but on occassions it will dump
you firmly in the history that made the Regiment what it is
today – Second to None”.
So how did this start? Over the past ten years significant
public interest has grown in re-enactment, but some
“re-enactments” have been amateur, poorly organised and paid
little attention to detail or historical evidence. As the oldest
Regiment in continuous existence in the British Army, it seemed
only fitting that such an 'Elite' Regiment should be represented
as Living History, distinct from re-enactment.
What makes this group different? Five years ago an ex-army NCO,
John Litchfield, with more than twenty-five years in
“re-enactment” felt that he had had enough of the amateur
flailing of others. Having studied the history of the
Coldstream, John decided to establish a Living History interest
group “Col George Monk’s Regiment of Foote” aimed at achieving
the highest standards for research, exhibition and display. His
original purpose was to portray the regiment at various
important periods of its history, but our current focus is on
the period leading up to and including Waterloo – very
appropriate, given the many 200th anniversaries soon to come.
The group now numbers over 25, a significant number of whom are
serving and ex-service men and women. In the past three years we
have achieved a high degree of competence in the detail of 1807
drill and equipment; bringing the whole team together with one
aim - to be "second to none" when it comes to Living History
exhibitions and musketry displays. Hard work and attention to
detail is starting to pay dividends. We are now recognised by
specialists within English Heritage and The National Trust as
leaders in Living History presentation and as a valuable
resource for Schools, Colleges and Universities. A major event
this year (2006) will be a week long “The Art of Living History”
at Sutton Valence School in Kent engaging over 250 students from
the School, which in itself has a history going back to 1576.
Whilst professional in our approach, this is still a part-time
hobby activity where we all (officers, soldiers, musicians and
sutlers), work hard to achieve an accurate representation of 6
Company, 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards on campaign in Belgium circa
June 17th 1815. As individuals from various military and
civilian backgrounds, we take this activity seriously and, we
also combine this with a lot of fun! Adding to the “military
members” who undertake display operations, we also have an
excellent team of Sutlers (wives and girlfriends) - our ladies
also embrace the period in detail; cooking over log fires, hand
washing and repairing uniform in their own 1800s costume. Our
sutlers ensure that a high quality of food, refreshments, care
and repair is available. This invaluable logistical support is
non-profit making, costs being spread equally amongst all those
attending an event.
Uniforms and equipment are centrally sourced, to ensure
standards and quality are maintained – the cost to each member
is £15 per month paid by standing order to Col George Monk’s
Regiment of Foote Bank Account. (For serving personnel and
students the monthly subscription is reduced to £12.) In return
for this monthly subscription all military members are provided
with all that they need in the way of clothing, weapons and
equipment. Subscriptions also cover the cost of upgrading
clothing, weapons and equipment as we believe in constantly
improving what we do. Rather than buy off the peg, we engage
selected specialists to produce much of the clothing and
equipment as we have found that this is the most affordable way
of obtaining the high standard that we are aiming for.
In the evenings after the public has retired and the camp is in
good order, we get down to some serious fun, enjoying period
sports such as cricket or occasionally pugilism, followed by a
good few beers around the log fire. Discussion ranges through
the complete spectrum of camel jokes and service humour that
only living history teams can bring together! The photographs in
this article were mostly taken at the Duke of Wellington’s
Country Park during a training week-end / public display held
over the April / May 2006 Bank Holiday week-end.
The 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards (1815) Living History Group has
also achieved recognition in both Film and TV. In particular the
BBC know our quality and expertise, we have appeared in TV
documentaries such as “Fire Power” and “Nelson's Island. “
Higher profile activities included adding drill and costume
quality to Big Screen Films such as, “Vanity Fair” (2005),
“Pride & Prejudice” (2006) and soon to be released, “Amazing
Grace” (2007).
It is against this back-ground and with a degree of trepidation
that my colleague, Dr Milo Thurston (alias Captain Thurston) and
I (alias Corporal Bilcliffe), would be delighted to hear from
any serving or ex-Coldstream Guards. We believe that in
understanding History it helps us all to understand ourselves
and provide the current generation with access to "hands-on"
history. Come and join us for a week-end and find out for
yourself. Dr. Thurston and I look forward to the opportunity of
meeting you either at a public display or through the good
offices of WO II (Andy) Johnson. Alternatively, please contact
Dr Thurston (milo.thurston@linacre.oxford.ac.uk) or the
undersigned by telephone on 077 99 88 39 78.
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London District March And Shoot
The Annual London District Shooting Competition was held at
Pirbright Ranges from 20 – 21 April 2006. The 20th was dedicated
to competition shooting, and the 21st to team events; including
the March and Shoot. The March and Shoot is a well established
military event, designed to test a soldiers’ basic infantry
skills; to reach a line of departure for H Hour, then assault an
enemy position. Teams are section strength, and the competition
is split into three phases.
Phase 1 is the inspection. Conducted with extreme rigour at some
institutions, the London District inspection remained
functional. Choosing not to penalise those who are yet to
discover the tactical advantage of a bleached pull-through, each
man’s kit was weighed (35 lbs, minus rifle), and his possession
of ear defence and MOD 90 checked. 10 points were deducted for
each deficiency.
Phase 2 is the march. Simulating a move to a line of departure,
each team has 20 minutes to tab 3 miles. The course was
pre-marked and Section Commanders were not required to navigate,
only to ensure that they set the correct pace to make H Hour. As
no bonus points were awarded for finishing under time, it was
left to the Section Commander to decide whether to race his
section to the finish, securing a rest before the shoot, or to
take a steadier pace, arriving with fresher troops. Any team
over 20 minutes would be disqualified.
Phase 3 is the shoot (the Para Cup). The shoot represents a
section attack on an enemy position, and carrying the most
points is arguably the most important phase of the competition.
After a 2 minute mandatory admin stop, the shoot begins from the
600 m point, with the LSW gunners moving forward to suppress the
enemy. The section then fire and manoeuvre up to 200 m, from
where they simulate a final assault. Being the ‘Para Cup’ the
shoot incorporates at least one interesting airborne
peculiarity, and at 200 m the enemy decide to gas their recently
lost position, forcing the section to don respirators and take
cover in the fire trench. Gas attack over, the finally section
re-org on the 100 m point.
11 teams from 4 units entered the competition, and all performed
admirably. All showed their professionalism by passing the
inspection with ease, before successfully completing the march
within time (although speed did vary). So it came down to the
shoot to decide the winner, and on the day it was the No.7
Company Coldstream Guards team that won, narrowly beating No.2
Company Coldstream Guards into second place.
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Coldstreamers Down Under
By LCpl Ward – No.1 Company
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At the end of March and the beginning of April, twelve members
of the battalion, chosen from all companies, where sent to
Australia to complete the trials of the new general service
respirator, which is due to be rolled out at the end of the
year. The team of twelve had already spent three weeks Longmoor
Training Camp conducting the initial trials during some very
inclement weather.
After a 24 hour flight, stopping over in Singapore, we landed at
Darwin international airport at the tip of the northern
territories of Australia. It was five in the morning and already
we were sweating buckets. We moved straight to Darwin Holiday
Inn and after a few hours administration we found ourselves in
the local Irish bar, aptly named Shananagans! Suddenly it was
three in the morning again, and time for a quick zig zag back to
the hotel. To ensure that everyone was competent with the drills
we repeated it the same the next day!
The day after was taken up with a hung over journey to
Katherine, which was about 350 kilometres to the south, in the
centre of the Northern Territories. And this was the start of
the real work!
The first days in RAAF Tindal were taken up with extensive
acclimatisation training, running and tabbing every inch of the
massive air base, and having lessons on the local environment,
including some close encounters with quite a few snakes,
including some of the most dangerous in the world. Naturally
snake bite first aid was high on the agenda!
After the acclimatisation the ‘crazy scientists’ arrived with
the latest design of the GSR, and we started fitting and testing
the fit of them in the new respirator testing tent, we also took
an opportunity to visit the Katherine Gorge, a local network of
5 deep gorges within which the Katherine River flowed. Although
there were no fresh water ‘crocs’ to be seen, there were plenty
of wallabies and white eagles, and aboriginal cave art too. We
also took a small walk along the gorge to a billabong, a pool at
the bottom of a waterfall and everyone enjoyed a swim in the
pool.
Almost as soon as we got back it started to rain, which we
didn’t mind too much, however it rained for days and soon the
locals where getting worried, the River Katherine had risen 18
metres in a few days, and was now threatening to burst its
banks; obviously it then started to rain harder! Eventually the
town was evacuated, and the emergency services overrun. The RAAF
where helping out as much as they could and we offered our
services, managing to evacuate the local hospital in a night,
and just in time, as we went to sleep the following morning the
river took over the town.
Once the testing started proper we spent a week conducting
trials in a variety of situations. We spent a day in defence,
which at 35 degrees was quite unpleasant to say the least, with
a couple of the team suffering with heat problems! We spent a
day conducting low level training in the GSR too, observation
stands, judging distance, camouflage and concealment testing and
patrolling, ready for the patrolling day.
The patrolling day was the hardest day by far, having to tab in
full IPE and respirator and patrol kit through the bush, on the
hottest day of the trip. The crazy scientists gave us pills to
monitor core body temperature and pulse rate etc, and during the
patrols temperatures were rocketing up to levels that made it
very uncomfortable to work! We also filmed a new video which
will be part of the introduction of the new equipment.
However we did enjoy a few ‘Barbie’s’ on the evenings which
allowed us a much needed chill out. We then moved back to Darwin
for another two nights of R and R, which included visiting the
local attractions, the Crocodile zoo, and feeding fish on the
edge of the sea; massive Flat Fish, Barramundi and Cat Fish,
etc. We flew back on the Sunday, tired but having enjoyed
ourselves, just in time to do our kit for spring drills on
Monday!
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Exercise SPANISH COCKNEY
By Lt Evans – No.3 Company
Two of the five legs have now been completed of Exercise SPANISH
COCKNEY – an adventure training exercise aboard the Household
Division’s yacht Gladeye. The aim of the exercise is to
introduce guardsmen to the exciting world of yacht sailing in a
variety of conditions, and it also gives those involved a
welcome break from public duties.
The first leg was crewed by six members of the Battalion who
sailed the yacht from Gosport near Portsmouth to Vilamoura in
Southern Portugal. After a nerve-wracking start in stormy
conditions in the Solent and the English Channel, they then had
to negotiate the Bay of Biscay off the west coast of France.
Only a few days ago a ferry was swamped by high waves in the
Bay, so it is impressive that they managed to reach Portugal on
time and all in one piece. On their way they were accompanied by
a whale and several dolphins, and the weather improved to bright
sun, clear skies and calm seas by the time they reached their
destination.
The second crew took over in Portugal, and sailed the yacht to
Mallorca. To sail from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean
Sea involved negotiating the Strait of Gibraltar, notorious for
rough seas and bad weather. Because of this the yacht was held
up at a port until it was safe to pass through the Strait. Not
wishing to hang around, the crew attempted to sail through the
Strait but failed twice, the second time losing a sail to the
strong winds and almost capsizing the boat. On the third attempt
they made it through, to be greeted by calm seas, scorching sun
and several more dolphins. Having been held up they had to go at
best speed to Mallorca, bypassing Ibiza – much to the
disappointment of the crew.
The yacht is having a rest while the Battalion takes part in the
Queen’s Birthday Parade, but there are still three more legs to
go, at the end of June and throughout July. The intention is to
sail around the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza),
stopping off at each one, and possibly making a trip to the
Spanish mainland.
Gladeye has only ever been moored in Gosport and used for
adventurous sailing trips in the Channel, so the Battalion are
very fortunate to be able to sail the yacht to the
Mediterranean. She will live there for the next two years,
skippered by LCpl Minns (No.7 Company) so if you didn’t get on
the Exercise this time, there will be plenty more opportunities
in the near future. This and all other adventurous training
trips are heavily subsidised by the Regiment and the Household
Division which means the small price you pay is only a fraction
of a normal holiday in the Med. If you want to know more about
the Exercise, ask anyone in the Battalion cutting about with a
tan!
FOR DETAILS OF THE OTHER SAILING EXPEDITIONS PLANNED THIS
YEAR, CONTACT YOUR COMPANY 2i/c
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A Fine Performance
An excerpt from the diary of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig,
Tuesday 4th December 1917,
during the German counter-attack at Cambrai.
“…Luckily the Guards Division happened to be near the latter
village and were marching back to rest (i.e. westwards) with
bands playing. On hearing of the trouble troops were at once
faced about and they advanced eastwards. The Brigadier (de
Crespigny) Commanding 1 Brigade rode on ahead. Crowds of
fugitives of all branches of the service were streaming back,
some without arms or equipment. By this time the enemy were on
the ridge west of Gouzeaucourt so the Guards at once deployed
and after some heavy fighting cleared the ridge and retook
Gouzeaucourt which is in the valley beyond.
Next morning they took Quentin ridge and Bois de Gauche, also
part of Gonnelieu. The enemy however was able to pour in more
troops from the north (i.e. round their left flank) and
eventually they had to give up the village but held a line on
the west edge of it which they consolidated.
This was a fine performance of the Guards Division, and had they
not been on the spot it is difficult to estimate where the enemy
would have been checked! The mishap might have spread to a
disaster!”
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RECRUITING NEWS
Training establishment Number in training as at 15 Jun 06
ITC Catterick 64
AFC Harrogate 20
ATR Bassingbourn 0
TOTAL 84
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COLDSTREAM SPORT
Battalion Orienteering Team
Since returning from Iraq, the Battalion Orienteering Team has
reformed, based largely on a cadre of individuals from No.2 Coy.
The team has attended a dozen events since Nov 05, all on
Wednesday afternoons. Now half-way through the season the team
is currently sitting 14th out of 37 teams. Considering the
intensity of life over the past 18 months, the teams performance
is highly commendable and they are now poised to surge further
up the leader board as the summer months approach.
There are a number of promising young stars emerging; Gdsm
McCabe, Hannon and Hawksworth to name but a few. In mid-May,
Gdsm Unsworth, Trigwell and Thorncroft won the under 25 relay
competition at Ludgershall and Major Mayhead’s hastily formed
team of three strangers won the Ad Hoc class. Team
administration is conducted by Sgt Pickersgill who has recently
attended an Army Orienteering Association course in event
planning, which will be useful for the forthcoming Battalion run
inter-company competition.
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The team is always looking for new volunteers, so if you are
interested then speak to any of the team or ring Sgt Pickersgill
on Ext 5519. All new faces are welcome and the summer season
kicks off on 24 Jun 06.
......................"......................
SECOND TO NONE…(Well,
maybe sometimes…)
The No.2 Coy experience at the Bn Inter-Coy Athletics
Early on a calm and bright Wednesday morning, No.2 Company
mustered full of anticipation before loading onto one of a fleet
of coaches for the trip to Aldershot. Today was going to be a
day of heroes, of tears, pain, sweat and heartache. The day of
the Battalion Sports Competition had arrived. Some were totally
unprepared. Others had been waiting for this moment for the
whole of their lives.
The day kicked very smoothly into action under the guidance of
SSgt Sawyer, the only delay caused by an uncooperative starter
pistol, which was quickly beaten into action by the majority of
the Sniper Platoon who were only too pleased to help! The short
sprint events were the first to take place and Gdsm Hemans
powered over the 100m course in a blistering time of
10.71seconds. (Sufficient to qualify him for some very high
level competitions.) LSgt Henry also excelled and things were
looking good for No.2 Company.
In the longer distance events the Company’s orienteering
stalwarts soon began to show their metal. Gdsm Unsworth Trigwell
and Coope were quick to step up and made a significant
impression on the competition. The field events continued in
parallel, with Sgt Markham making some very game if slightly
ungainly efforts at the long Jump. LSgt Goldthorpe saw off all
threats at the discus although sadly his efforts weren’t enough
to secure the company first place in that particular event.
As the day began to draw to a close, the competition narrowed
and No.2 Company and Support Company wrestled away for first
place in a two horse race. Every point was going to count and
so, when the relay events started at the end of the day, the
pressure was on… LSgt Henry, who had been performing miracles of
athletic prowess throughout the day pulled up injured at the end
of the 100m relay… …things were looking grim. The last event was
the 400m relay, and it became obvious that it was going to be
the decider. Tension mounted when Sgt Markham, LSgt Causer, Gdsm
Hemans and Gdsm Coope took their marks. After a thrilling race,
we finished 3rd with SP Company coming first. Would we have
enough points to win..?
Scorers retired into the Officials’ booth where strained faces
could be seen totting up the numbers, arguing, recounting, and
arguing again. A murmur went around the crowd when SSgt Sawyer
eventually came up to the rostrum to make his announcement. The
atmosphere was electric, you could cut the tension with a knife.
And, eventually, disappointment. The scores were even and in
that event, the cup would go to the Company with the most 1st
places. In the end we were victims of our own uniformly high
level of fitness. We had a few giants, but not enough to beat
Support Company into second place. Our “gladiators” had served
us well and the whole company had given their all. But in the
end, SP Company had pipped us to the post with some excellent
long distance running.
All told though, when all has been said and done we had had a
tremendous time. The finish couldn’t have been closer and the
standard had been very, very high. Special mention should go to
LSgt Henry and LCpl Gill who figure headed our efforts and Sgt
Markham who co-ordinated the entries. CQMS Smith provided very
welcome refreshments and the Company storemen did some very
athletic spectating throughout...!
P.S. LSgt Henry was pretty good.
......................"......................
MARATHON MEN
The Regiment always produces a fair share of long distance
runners and below is a list of those Coldstreamers who took part
in the London Marathon. Congratulations to all of them for
finishing the gruelling 26 mile course and well done to those
who also used the opportunity to raise money for charities in
the process.
Lt Col GCC Waters (Comd Offr 1st Bn)
finished in 3 hours and 30 minutes, raising two thousand pounds
for charity.
CSgt Auld (No.1 Army Youth Team)
finished in 4 hours and 40 minutes, raising one thousand pounds
for the Grace House Children's Hospice in Sunderland.
LSgt Fairbrother (ACIO Leicester)
finished in 3 hours and 52 minutes, jointly raising three
thousand pounds with a civilian friend for the ‘Get Kids Going’
wheelchair appeal.
......................"......................
EVENING SPORTS CLUBS IN
FULL SWING
Having finally settled into its new routine in Victoria
Barracks, the Battalion has established a number of evening
sports clubs. The Army Sports Motto of ‘Sport for all’ is the
guiding principal and individuals with all levels of experience
and ability are welcome. Sessions usually begin around 1800 hrs
and take place on the Barracks Square or the Gymnasium. Full
details can be obtained from Sgt Sawyer (APTCI) in the Gym. A
Sports Information Day is to be run shortly with all Sports
Officers giving a brief to the Battalion on their particular
sport. After the briefings, there will be an opportunity to
visit information stands and displays where individuals can sign
up to the sport/activity of their choice. Regular sports
sessions already being held are:
Evening Basketball Club: Mondays
Evening Football Club: Tuesdays
Tennis/Squash Teams: Monday and Wednesday afternoons
Evening Athletics Club: Tuesday and Thursday
Battalion Boxing Club: Thursdays
Battalion Triathlon Squad: Wednesday afternoons
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YOUNG TALENT ADOPTED BY THE 1st BATTALION
The Battalion has recently ‘adopted’ a youth football team by
providing them with all weather training facilities in the
Battalion Gymnasium. The New Windsor Swifts Under 9s are
currently doing great things in the local junior football
league, finishing fourth in the league last season. In addition
the boys recently won a mini-tournament, beating 20 other teams
in the process. In their best run ever last season, the Swifts
went 14 games unbeaten.
With year round training facilities now available the team hope
to go from strength to strength and will enter next season with
a new name – the Windsor Royals. The Battalion Sponsor is
Sergeant Mickey Walton from the Quartermaster’s Department and
he is shown below with the team on their first Wednesday night
training session in Victoria Barracks.
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The New Windsor Swifts with Sgt Walton outside the Gym at
Victoria Baracks.
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Second to None
The Regimental Newsletter
for the
1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
Produced by the Coldstream Guards Regimental Recruiting Team
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copyright, designed and maintained by A.J Brady |
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