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Second to None
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Second to None
(The Coldstream Guards Newsletter)
Edition 7
Sept - Oct 06
*Please be aware that the newsletter
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REACH
FOR THE SKY
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Guardsman Clarke
gets ready to swap his No.2 Dress for bergen and boots!
It has long been
acknowledged that there are more opportunities in the Coldstream
Guards than your average infantry regiment and Guardsman G
Clarke recently proved it by Passing Out from Combat
Infantryman’s Training on Fri 25 Aug 06 and going straight onto
the infamous P Company parachute training selection course, the
following Monday. Gdsm Clarke was selected to go straight onto
the course due to his exemplary performance during basic
training at Catterick. Having now successfully passed the
course, he is eligible for future service with the Guards
Parachute Platoon. See the forecast of events inside for future
dates of pre-parachute selection courses or speak to your
platoon and company chain of command. For more information on
the Guards Parachute Platoon, speak to LCpl Raddon in Sp Coy or
Gdsm Eate in No.1 Company. Alternatively, seek advice from your
chain of command.
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DRIVING AMBITION?
Why not try the Mechanical Transport Platoon?
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If you have been a member of the Battalion for a good while and
accrued plenty of experience within a rifle company, you might
be looking around for an opportunity to widen your range of
skills. One of the options to specialise within the Battalion is
a stint with the Mechanical Transport Platoon. Currently manned
by one officer and fourteen other ranks, the Platoon conducts
the majority of routine driving tasks for the Battalion, in
addition to assisting with the maintenance of a large vehicle
fleet.
Always busy, the members of the Platoon rapidly gain a
succession of driving qualifications in order for them to be
able to use the full range of transport available to the
Battalion. In addition to the standard Land Rovers and DAF
Trucks, MT drivers require licences for mini-bus, coach and
plant machinery. Even if you are not a member of the MT Platoon,
driving qualifications are a vital asset to the Battalion.
Almost all operational vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq require
the drivers to hold a Category C Licence.
The NCOs within the platoon are also required to obtain various
qualifications in fleet management and fuel accountancy, and
some of these qualifications can be transferred directly to
civilian life. There is also an opportunity for members of the
Platoon to gain their motorcycle licence in order for them to
provide Despatch Riders for Battalion HQ using the Army issue
Harley Davidsons. The members of the Platoon need to be mature,
punctual and able to use their initiative as they often work as
individuals and drive all over the country, sometimes at
relatively short notice and in all weathers. Anybody who is
interested in furthering their driving qualifications or a
posting into the MT Platoon should register their interest
through their Company chain of command.
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A HIGHLAND FLING
By LCpl Delaney – The Corps of Drums
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The Corps of Drums formed up on the ramparts of Edinburgh
Castle for the fanfare.
The Corps of Drums at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
It all started with a 9 hour journey to Edinburgh, from one end
of the country to the other, people sleeping in the aisle of the
coach and spread-eagled across the seats. On arrival at HMS
Caledonia (our camp – not a ship!) we met up with the regimental
bands of both the Coldstream and Scots Guards and moved into our
accommodation. After a brief from the Drum Major on what lay
ahead for the next 28 days, we all made short work of preparing
for the Monday morning, then moved off to the NAAFI for some
refreshment after our marathon coach trip!
Monday morning saw us make the 40 minute trip to Redford
Barracks in Edinburgh to rehearse the performances that we would
be conducting for 3 weeks solid after this first week of
preparation. With the first morning underway there were a few
surprises in store! There were to be battle re-enactments during
the performance and the Corps were to provide some men for that.
This meant starting with the opening fanfare, getting changed
into whatever uniform we were told to wear, and then change yet
again for the finale. If you were one of the lucky ones not
having to do that, it was comical to watch people dressed up in
their 1800s tunics, brandishing their weapons, giving 8000
people a war face!
After working most of the evening packing and unpacking stores
and personal kit at both ends we finally managed to grab the
last drink in the bar, with a view to getting to know some of
the dancers, singers and other performers a bit more. We’re a
friendly bunch in the Drums! With all this going on, there was
still the important task of teaching ‘Flute players‘, the art of
Side Drumming! Most of the week flew by from there on in. After
the odd stick being dropped and comical changing incidents that
are too numerous to be recounted, we were ready for the full
dress rehearsals on the Thursday night and our first performance
on that Friday.
From there on the working days were fairly easy; a late start
with some PT down in the gym, musical practice and then the
performance. We were on the coaches for 1845 hrs ready to start
at 2100 hrs every night. Saturdays had two performances, with an
earlier start at 1745, to perform at 1930 hrs and then 2230 hrs.
Each part of the performance had its own special feel, whether
it was starting off the show with thunderous applause for the
fanfare, standing amidst 2000 performers on the finale, or
marching down the esplanade in full ceremonial dress, it all got
different reactions from the crowd.
Edinburgh is a great city to be in during the month of August,
as it is the festival month with singers, dancers, pipe bands,
and all kinds of performances happening all over the city. Most
impressively, you can socialize for 24 hours solid, if you have
the time to spare and an understanding boss of course!
After a long month the end was in sight. A final night out was
had on the Friday, but with most people skint following a very
active social calendar, the only real option was ‘Jurassic Park’
(the local club that can only be compared with ‘Cheeks’ in
Aldershot)! Some unfortunate people (LSgt Scott Fitzgerald, LCpl
Shaun Delaney) had to attend the Champagne Lunch in the City
Chambers the next day which wasn’t the best way to recover from
a hangover!
It was fitting to end on an even bigger high than the one that
we had arrived on. A few sore heads, bank accounts destroyed,
and overdraft limits broken, this was a good way to spend the
month ‘working hard and playing hard’. For a soldier who is
musically talented and who fancies something different, the
Edinburgh Tattoo comes highly recommended!
EDITORS NOTE
Having produced excellent results throughout a hectic six
month period of ceremonial commitments both within London and at
the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Corps of Drums are currently
conducting intensive Machine Gun training in order to brush up
their skills for their war-time role. The dry training and
static live-firing at Pirbright will provide a good basis on
which to build over the next 12 months as the Corps prepare
themselves for the forthcoming tour of Afghanistan. In November
this year, directly after Op MONCK’S RETURN, the Corps will
conduct a week of field firing on the Salisbury Plain Training
Area.
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INTO THE DEVIL’S CAULDRON...
PART 1
Starting this month...
The war diary of Lance Sergeant Swift, Coldstream Guards, from
his tour of Afghanistan during the Summer of 2006.
KAJAKI DAM, SANGIN VALLEY, 05 JUN 06 – 04 JUL 06:
The Afghan National Army (ANA) were tasked to deploy at short
notice to Kajaki Dam to defend it. The total force was to be 20
ANA and 8 of us from the training team. The mission was
originally planned to be two weeks in duration but lasted for
five weeks in the end. Our task was to defend a compound and
observation post (OP) which was an old Russian outpost that
overlooked the dam, in order to prevent the Taliban from
capturing the power station or blowing the dam itself.
During the 5 weeks at Kajaki Dam, there were only five days when
we were not in contact with the enemy. The first three weeks
consisted mainly of mortar attacks, but then we began to receive
direct fire from recoilless rifles. Eventually, we were
subjected to full scale Taliban assaults. I had command of a
section of ANA and we were conducting 48 hour rotations between
manning the OP and defending the main compound. After week 3 on
task, we began to receive reports that the Taliban might be
concentrating for an attack on the dam.
On the 04 Jul 06 myself and 5 members of the ANA were manning
the OP; we had been on duty there for 24 hours. At 1730 hours,
the British Officer who was running our training team came up
from the main compound and informed me that there were reports
of a thousand Taliban fighters coming to attack the dam. He gave
me four extra Claymore mines and two HE Grenades to add to our
existing supply along with a GPMG and 700 rounds. He then shook
my hand and said ‘Good Luck’, then went back down to the
compound to command the defence of it.
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LSgt Swift (centre, kneeling) and his colleagues from the
Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team in Afghanistan
I positioned the GPMG in a sand-bagged position 100m to the west
of the OP, facing the most likely enemy approach, then placed
the Claymore mines in a 360 degree ring around the OP itself as
a ‘last stand’ measure. The first Taliban attacks came in just
before last light. The first attack was directed against the
main compound with enemy troops moving in against it supported
by mortars and heavy machine guns. I opened fire on the
advancing enemy with the GPMG which held them back for a bit,
but they launched a second attack about 45 minutes later. I used
the GPMG on them again and we succeeded in getting ‘fast-air’ to
drop a 200 lb bomb on them too.
By now it was dark and some reinforcements from 3 Para had begun
to arrive in the form of mortar teams, machine gun teams and
snipers. The machine gun teams began to set up where I had
originally positioned our own GPMG. As they did so, the Taliban
opened fire on them. The night turned into a long drawn out
fire-fight with constant attacks being made against us. The main
compound also took heavy fire from the enemy throughout the
night. Despite the repeated attacks, the combined fire-power of
ourselves, 3 Para and the ANA, combined with further assistance
from ‘fast-air’, we were able to hold off the Taliban, who
eventually withdrew and abandoned their attack on the dam.
EDITORS NOTE
In addition to LSgt Swift, LSgt Connibear has also just returned
from Afghanistan having served in a similar capacity. The Guards
Parachute Platoon are also safely back in UK following their
tour. In due course, we hope to bring you more articles that
will highlight the experiences of other Coldstreamers on
operations.
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TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT...
No.7 COMPANY
1
Everyone in the Coy is entitled to LONDON ALLOWANCE which is an
extra hundred and seven pounds a month.
2
Single mens accommodation is only 63p a day.
3
Married quarters in Westminster and Wetstone are only sixty
pounds a month to rent.
4
Due to female guest accommodation being available, girlfriends
can stay in barracks for up to 48 hours by prior arrangement
through Coy HQ.
5
The Coy forecast of events is published six months in advance
and does not change.
6
The Coy does not conduct check parades before Queens Guards.
7
The Coy leaves Chelsea Barracks at 0930 hrs to mount Queens
Guard, not 0630 hrs.
8
Driving courses are frequent due to the Coy having its own MT
Section.
9
Recommends on Queen’s Guard guarantees an individual a day off,
normally on a date chosen by the individual.
10
Single men may paint and decorate their own rooms due to the
grading of the accommodation.
These are just a few of the features of life in No.7 Company.
If you feel like a change of scenery,
speak to your platoon and company chain of command.
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AN EXERCISE TO REMEMBER
Exercise MONCK’S MARCH
As part of the Commanding Officer’s drive towards physical and
mental robustness (brought into stark focus by the forthcoming
tour of Afghanistan) the Battalion found itself deploying at a
very unsociable hour to Dartmoor one bleak October morning to
conduct Exercise MONCK’S MARCH. Based on the tried and tested
RMAS exercise (LONG REACH – conducted in Wales) the plan
required four-man teams, comprising three Gdsm and one Junior
NCO each, to navigate and march their way around a series of
well spread checkpoints across the grim moorland of Central
Devon over a period of 48 hours. There were a raft of rules that
had to be followed including kit inspections, but most
critically, a restricted period of four hours enforced rest
which could only be taken between the 20 and 24 hour point.
Over fifty teams took part and the editor is reliably informed
that the shortest possible route was 65 kilometres, but that
this involved tackling some serious hills from their steepest
angles. The longest recorded route used by a team (partly
through a clever use of ‘contouring’ or possibly through
navigational error?) was in the region of 85 kilometres. All of
this was done in fighting order, less weapons. Mercifully, the
worst of the weather held off until the final morning of the
exercise. With the exception of a number of minor injuries
(twisted ankles being an inherent risk on Dartmoor) the teams
managed to get around in relatively good times and in good
shape. The Javelin Platoon, fresh from their conversion course,
put in a fantastic performance with two of their teams coming in
first and second. Support Company as a whole produced a
convincing result. Special mention should also be made of the
Commanding Officer’s ‘cunning plan’.
Originally, all officers had assumed that they were to man
checkpoints with their Platoon Sergeants, however, at STARTEX
those junior to the Adjutant were summoned to a brief with the
Commanding Officer, at which they were given the following
orders:
“Get your combats off and put on these coveralls and greatcoats.
You have three minutes to memorise the route on this map… Here’s
a weighted ammunition box, give me the map back, see you at the
finish point.”
To the credit of the young officers, they rose to the challenge
and produced a great result. In addition to this, the Commanding
Officer’s little wheeze put a smile on the face of every Gdsm in
the Battalion for the duration of the exercise, especially as
they could earn ‘bonus’ points if they managed to catch any of
the young officers in the process. This little addition to the
main Exercise was code-named Exercise RUNNING RUPERT and will
live on in Coldstream folklore for many years to come.On the
Thursday evening, the Battalion arrived back in Windsor.
Climbing off the coaches, the boys tip-toed off to their evening
meal like a bunch of apprentice fire-walkers who had just
conducted their first practice period. The G4 Departments and
Signals Platoon should be mentioned for their tremendous effort
in mounting the exercise which proved to be a resource devouring
beast. A great experience was had by all and this set a good
baseline from which to work from during the build up to next
years tour. ENDEX also marked the start of a very well deserved
Long Weekend. You can only imagine the war stories doing the
rounds in the bar that weekend…
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THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN
Operation MONCK’S RETURN : NOV 06
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The image from the MONCK’S RETURN publicity posters carrying
the strap-line
“The boys are back in town”
Within hours of completing the State Opening of Parliament on 15
Nov 06, a force of some 57 Coldstreamers will be heading for
Yorkshire to launch Op MONCK’S RETURN, a week long recruiting
surge across North, South and East Yorkshire. This will be the
most intensive Coldstream recruiting operation for many years
and aims to contact over 700 potential applicants in a week. In
addition, the surge will target key groups such as ‘musical
youth’ in order to assist with sourcing future talent for the
Corps of Drums and Corps of Army Music. Female members of the Bn
from other arms and services will also take part in order to
assist with recruiting for their own capbadges.
Aside from ‘on the street’ recruiting in Sheffield, Rotherham,
Doncaster, Goole and Hull, simultaneously for a week, a number
of special events are being laid on which include a charity
boxing and dinner night at the KC Stadium in Hull, a Musical
Display and youth band workshop at York Racecourse, several
school visits by the Corps of Drums, a blood donation session in
Sheffield, two Army Cadet Force open days and formal
presentations to the recruits in training at AFC Harrogate and
ITC Catterick. This is a packed programme but with a reasonable
weather forecast, packed town centres due to the Christmas
shopping rush and a quality effort by the surge team in the
finest traditions of the Foot Guards, the operation has the
potential to net up to one fifth of the Regiment’s annual
requirement of recruits.
The troops for the surge will be provided by the RRT, Support
and HQ Coys with back up from the Corps of Drums and Bn Boxing
Team. Three Satisfied Soldiers will also deploy from No.7 Coy to
Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster recruiting offices. A full write
upon MONCK’S RETURN will follow in the next edition of SECOND TO
NONE.
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MAKING FRIENDS IN IRAQ...
OR
LIFE IN THE TACTICAL PSYOPS TEAM
By Lance Sergeant Hutchings – Signals Platoon, 1st Bn
Coldstream Guards
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LSgt Hutchings had to go a long way to find some friends!!!
The Multi National Division (South East), British PSYOPS Cell is
based at Basra Air Station. We have an office within the
Divisional Headquarters, which is shared with the Staff Officers
and Other Ranks that work within PSYOPS. My post in theatre is
that of TAA (Target Audience Analysis); this job so far has
taken me all over the MND (SE) Area of Operations on TAA
assignments.
Currently due to a shortness of NCOs trained within the
discipline of Psychological Operations within 20 Armd Bde, I
have temporarily taken charge as the 20 Armd Bde TPT (Tactical
PSYOPS Team) Commander. The TPT Team is of mixed cap badge,
consisting of either Recce or Sniper trained personnel, coming
from within the Residential Battle Groups on Op TELIC 8. The
team consists of 7 military personnel and two Iraqi
interpreters. My job involves the Command of the British
Tactical PSYOPS Team and Control of PSYOPS assignments given to
it. These assignments are given to the team by either, the
Divisional Chief Of Staff or 20 Armd Bde Chief Of Staff, and/or
the SO3 PSYOPS.
At the moment there is a massive Operation taking place in Iraq.
This is in part being conducted within Basra City, involving
most, if not all of 20 Armd Bde. The team’s assignments on this
Operation run for in the region of six days with a 24- 48hr turn
around, allowing for the movement to a new location and post/pre
assignment administration. The team’s assignments for this
Operation will run until the new Brigade relieves us in place.
At that point I hand over the TPT assignments and equipment to
the new TPT Commander and go back to working within TAA.
Both are excellent appointments, if not a little tiring on the
TPT side, but it is certainly rewarding, as all the team’s work
and patrol reports are looked at by the GOC and the Commander 20
Armd Bde. Some apparently make it back to the MOD in London.
This tour of Iraq, my second in 18 months, is certainly very
different to my last one as a signaller in Bn HQ and each day
brings something new.
EDITORS NOTE
LSgt Hutchings is still serving in Iraq as this edition goes to
press.
Everyone in the Regiment wishes him a safe tour and speedy
return.
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The Tactical Psyops Team on patrol in downtown Basra
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COLDSTREAM SPORT
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Gdsm Wasilewski delivers a fearsome combination of punches
BATTALION BOXING COMPETITION
The Warning Order for the 1ST Battalion Coldstream Guards Boxing
Competition 2006 was distributed mid July and the wheels were
set in motion for what would inevitably culminate with an
entertaining few weeks of training, preliminary bouts and a
finals night. All five companies managed to produce boxers, come
the first official weigh-in at 0700hrs Fri 06 Oct 06(an
achievement in itself considering the current pace of life in
the Battalion!), there were in actual fact 38 boxers of varying
categories weighed and eligible to be included in the draw for
the first round preliminary bouts set to be fought on the 09 Oct
06.
The Pre-lims
The first round prelims was set to include 14 bouts although due
to a few unforeseen medical problems this number was soon
reduced to 10 bouts, resulting in a few extra byes being given
(much to the disappointment of the boxers!). With the first
round out of the way it was time to tie down the draw for the
second round prelims and was carried out after the weigh-in held
at 0700hrs 10 Oct 06, this produced 11 bouts which again was
reduced to 9 bouts following more pre-bout medical failures.
After two days and 19 bouts, seven finalists emerged to go
forward and box for the unit title within their respective
weight categories. All those successful in reaching the finals
night would be representing their companies toe-to-toe, in a
match where there would only be one winner in front of, not only
their peers but also the rest of the Battalion, future Major
General, invited guests and indeed a television crew! Not a
welcome prospect for any shy types!
Finals Night
The scene was set and the Battalion seated awaiting the arrival
of Brig W.G. Cubitt CBE and the Commanding Officer, Lt Col G.C.C
Waters. Upon the command of the Regimental Sergeant Major, WO1 P
J Carr, the Battalion sat back to enjoy the evening. This was
started in spectacular form with a display from the Battalion
Corps of Drums and followed with a short, well received skit
demonstrating the rules of boxing (Thanks go to LCpl Mick
Colburn and Gdsm ‘Larry the Lamb’ for providing alternative
entertainment!)
All seven bouts of the evening were well fought, with the boxers
demonstrating clearly the qualities expected of a sportsman. The
finalists are listed below and the winners highlighted in bold,
although it could be argued that they are all winners for
showing the mental toughness to get in “The Ring” in the first
instance…
Thanks must also go to the Hull based St Paul’s Boxing Club for
providing a demonstration bout between 11 year old Connor
Coghill and 12 year old Curtis Turner, who certainly did the
business and amazed all those of us watching with their
technical skill.
The Battalion Boxing Team
The underlying aim of this competition was to firstly find a
winning company; a triumphant No1 Company took the title thanks
in no short part to Sgt ‘Rob’ Beckett for his dedication to his
team (with a finalist in each weight category!) Secondly, the
Inter Company Boxing Competition was set to provide a
springboard for selecting and training a Battalion Boxing Team
that will hopefully become a breeding ground for future army
level boxers! Watch this space!
Finalists
Featherweight Gdsm Topping (1 Coy) v Gdsm Underhill (3 Coy)
Lightweight Gdsm Rogers (1 Coy) v Pte Ensor (HQ Coy)
Light Welter Gdsm Allwood (1 Coy) v LCpl Millar (2 Coy)
Welterweight LCpl Spencer (1 Coy) v Gdsm Dixon (3 Coy)
Middleweight Gdsm Reader (1 Coy) v Gdsm Wasilewski (3 Coy)
Light heavyweight Gdsm Mardon (1 Coy) v Gdsm Smail (3 Coy)
Heavyweight Gdsm Broadley (1 Coy) v Cpl Smith (HQ Coy)
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The Battalion Boxing Team is now formed with 14 members in
full time training. Their first challenge will be a boxing night
against a combined REME and Royal Engineers Team at the Star and
Garter Function Room on 26 Oct 06, followed swiftly by a charity
boxing evening in association with the St Paul’s Boxing Club at
the Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull in Nov 06. It is
hoped that the Battalion will, in the not too distant future,
get at least one of its boxers into the Army Team. There was a
Coldstreamer on the Army Boxing Team every year without fail
between 1942 and 2000. Due to hectic operational commitments
over the last few years, that tradition was sadly broken, but
the Regiment fully intends to reconstitute it shortly.
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INFANTRY TEAMS GET INJECTION OF BLUE, RED, BLUE
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It’s an unusual order of dress but our angling experts
tell us it’s perfectly normal
on the riverbank! LCpl Harris and Gdsm Marks pose with their
winners medal.
With the Battalion back from Iraq a full year now, members of
the Regiment have found the time to get stuck into some serious
sporting activity. In addition to the success of Battalion Teams
over recent months, a number of men from across the 1st
Battalion have found places in the Infantry Teams. For instance,
five members of the Battalion are now members of the Infantry
Rugby Union Squad, those being Lt Powell, LSgt Hutchens, Gdsm
Marsden, Gdsm Rescola and Gdsm Suggit.
Even the more sedate sports are enjoying some Coldstream
influence with LCpl Harris and Gdsm Marks of HQ Coy representing
the Infantry in the Army Carp Fishing Championships, which they
won. Slowly but surely, the Battalion is reminding the rest of
Army that we have not achieved our fine reputation just by our
exploits on the battlefield. Some regiments who have monopolised
various sporting trophies over recent years need to take a look
over their shoulders…because the Coldstream Guards are back in
town!
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THE BATTALION RUGBY UNION TEAM
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22 – 5 VICTORY OVER 36 ENGINEER REGIMENT
Following a managerial battle that would put the Football
Premiere League to shame, the Battalion Rugby Union Team formed
up for its first match of the season under the new leadership of
the Mechanical Transport Officer, Captain Pete Dale. (Actually,
he was the only man willing to take on the job) The event proved
to be a memorable start to the season as the Battalion Team
crushed the opposition in a convincing 27 – 7 hard fought match.
Here, in Captain Dale’s own words, is the match report:
The first game of the season was played at home against 36 Engr
Regt and was the first round of the Thames Valley Community
Shield. The Battalion team were played onto the field by the
Corps of Drums and laid a marker down in the first five minutes
with some mesmeric forward play the result of which, was one of
Lt Sugden’s two tries, which like a Giraffe on a mission he
touched down under the posts to the delight of the ever growing
crowd. The Conversion was kicked by LSgt Castro who had a fine
game at Fly Half and the Battalion had stormed into an early 7
–0 lead against a stunned Engineer Team.
There then followed a period where both sides were testing each
other out with some excellent front five play from Gdsm
Mitchell, LCpl Shaw, LSgt Hutchens, LCpl Cook and CSM Wright.
With a strong Coldstream Back Row of Lt’s Joyce, Sugden and
Powell scavenging any (and all) loose ball, they succeeded in
snuffing out the Engineer challenge at source by denying them
the ball for most of the first half during which a further two
Coldstream tries were scored.
The Engineer challenge in the second half was stepped up after
some stern words from their animated coaching staff, but the
Battalion had their own animated individual in Lt Green who
continued to marshal the Coldstream Eight whilst sniping,
badgering and harassing around the play of the ball area. Due to
the nature of the game and the Engineers uncompromising style, a
number of replacements were utilized on both sides, with the cry
‘medic’ being heard around the park at regular intervals. Yet
Cometh the hour, Cometh the man. With Gdsm Mitchell having to
leave the field through an electrical fault in his iron lung, on
came that bear of a man Sgt Jackson who quite quickly went about
explaining the intricacies of Prop forward play to a Deaf
Referee and his opposing number with use of sign language (or at
least the use of his hands!).
Those handsome men in the Three Quarters were busy punching
holes in the Engineers back line with some mazey running and
deft footwork, with our two centers, Lt Mallet and Dmr Matiyavi,
enjoying the contest with some hard hitting tackles of their
own. Our ever present Back Row were there to clean up any scraps
in teamwork. Lt Green ran the show for a large part of the
second half by always keeping the Coldstreamers going forward.
At this stage Gdsm Sealy entered the fray as a replacement for
LCpl Cook who, after a gargantuan effort for three quarters of
the match, could know smell both the bath and the beer.
With the final ten minutes approaching the Coldstream work rate
was taking its toll and this coupled with the Engrs lack of
discipline started to make the game scrappier with a lot of
broken play to ensure our Wings, LSgt T and Gdsm Wilkinson were
not left out of the game. Some fine cover tackling ensued and
continued when Gdsm Arnold, who made a fine catch in his own 22
in the dying moments under extreme pressure, replaced LSgt
Toganiualu. Following LSgt Castro’s departure for some medical
treatment, LCpl Colburn had the opportunity to work his magic as
a blood replacement, which he did for the remainder of the game,
while giving the opposition something Coldstream to aim at!
The Full Back was that wise old fellow CSgt Smith who despite
his advancing years and dodgy hip produced a fine running and
tackling display all afternoon which delighted the crowd and
dispelled any thoughts of euthanasia they may have had!
The Engineers scored a consolation try in the dying moments of
the game but when the referee (who had an excellent game) blew
the whistle the Battalion marched onto the next round of the
competition. Overall some fine individual performances, but more
importantly an excellent team and squad win against determined
opposition, the next fixture is against 1st Bn Irish Guards at
Home on 25 Oct 06.
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Tired but elated – the victorious Coldstream Squad.
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THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS RUNNING CLUB
The Battalion is starting to develop its hard core of endurance
runners into a formidable team. On 22 Oct 06 a four man team
from the Bn will take part in the Army Marathon at Abingdon in
Oxfordshire. The roll of recreational runners is expanding
rapidly and will receive a boost when Guardsman Aaron Naylor
passes out of Combat Infantryman training in three months time.
Already a County Class runner, he has also been scouted by the
England Junior Squad.
Therefore, there is currently a plan to establish a formal
Coldstream Guards Running Club in the new year, following the
Battalion Cross Country Competition. The scoping committee is
currently producing a plan for the Commanding Officer’s
approval. Initially, the idea is that runners of all standards
can become a member and that the club will be self funding. In
addition to serving members, the club could have associate
members (ie, ex-Coldstreamers or serving members from other
regiments currently attached to the Battalion). Serving members
would represent the Regiment at all military competitions and
associate members would be able to run in the civilian events.
The club would cater for all forms of running from road-racing,
cross-country, to endurance events such as the Kim Mountain
Marathon or the Tough Guy competition. All those willing to run,
would run, regardless of standard. If anybody is interested in
becoming a member then express your interest to any of the
members of the scoping committee, who are:
Drill Sergeant Johnson – RRWO
Company Sergeant Major Flynn – No.7 Company
Staff Sergeant Sawyer – Gymnasium
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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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