There is one major problem being in the TA, never mind the weather we just get on with the job. On this particular weekend we had to contend with the coldest two nights I can remember for years (January 25/26).

The exercise started on Friday night with the usual kit being issued and the packing of vehicles. The Recce Platoon were busy taking their land-rovers apart. The most pleasing thing to see was that everyone knew what to do and that there were so many members of the Company there. 4 platoon had 21, 6 platoon had 24 the Recce had 11 and Coy HQ another 9. 5 platoon were away with W02 Woodall on a recruit selection course with 9 staff and 14 potential members. Not bad for a cold weekend in January.

The main body arrived at Pippingford Park at about 1 am Saturday and bedded down for what was for most a very cold night's sleep. Coy HQ got on with the preparation of breakfast which was ready at 6.30 and was very welcome. Captain Rankin-Hunt spent some time during breakfast trying to buy a "carry mat" but his quest proved fruitless.

During the morning the platoons practised the new Section Battle Drills that are now being taught as a result of the Falklands conflict. Whilst this was going on a high powered cook house fatigue in the shape of two Colour Sergeants and a Sergeant Major got on with peeling the potatoes for lunch. The Coy ate this at 12.30 and were soon hard at work clearing yet another enemy position. Mr Wirgman, who you wouldn't think could be nasty to anyone, gave No. 1 section the task of taking out three trenches in quick succession, talk about hard work!

After the evening meal which was cooked with the help of 70 Signal Regiment. The platoons moved off to separate patrol bases. Once there they embarked on a busy patrol schedule which was to keep them going all night. The platoons were to patrol against each other with the Recce platoon mounting an attack on one of the patrol bases. Unfortunately, their patrol arrived just as a patrol was leaving the patrol base. Much confusion reigned and the Recce platoon left with much haste.

At about 04.30 the exercise ended and after kit checks and declarations the Coy moved back to Wenlock Street. The rest of the day was taken up with admin and a Drill lesson.

Although the weather was as cold as it was I am sure the Company enjoyed the weekend. I only hope that it now stays fine and warmer for the rest of the year. What a hope!

The weekend started in the usual organised manner when the Recce Pln which was due to leave an hour before the Coy actually left half an hour after it!

Unperturbed by the arctic conditions, the pin advanced on the West End of London in discreet and inconspicuous open-top camouflaged land-rovers. The first leg of the journey was to take us to Vauxhall Bridge. Unfortunately, we lost our glorious leader at the end of Wenlock Street, to the delight of L/Cpl Foot, who took us to meet the drunken hordes at Covent Garden. On meeting up again with KP we asked a couple of Hooray Henrys where the fancy dress party was, and then proceeded to the training area.

The whole of the next morning was spent practising vehicle patrolling which was taken so seriously that at 11.30 am Sgt Hanford ordered us to break into the cam-cream (L/Cpl McAuley broke out in spots at the thought).

At 12.00 noon we met up with KP and Colour Randall who were apparently wallowing motionless in a mud track. Then L/Cpl Food remarked that their land-rover was underneath them! Then with complete disregard for his own safety, Pte Prentice drove his rover towards our stricken leaders. The tow chain was attached but it wasn't long before the second rover was lost along with Pte Prentice in the quagmire - we all stood to attention as a solitary TOS floated away downstream. Now L/Cpl Norman's driving skills came into their own, and after a tense 15 minutes of much grunting and groaning, both of the rovers were towed to safety.

Here we should point out how grateful we were for the rum which had been put in our tea. However, in future we will wait until the rovers are safe before we drink, because the only reason we got them bogged down was that we were stoned out of our brains at the time!

The evening saw our intrepid heroes set out on a fighting patrol led by Sgt Hanford. The battle was fierce and was only halted to look for Pte Poston's glasses and Pte Durrant's ear. When Sgt Hanford was killed off, L/Cpl Foot took over, and with the aid of L/Cpl Belfield decided that the piece of paper with lines on, found on Sgt Hanford, was one of those map things, so he led the patrol back to KP and L/Cpl Norman, who had skivied off from the patrol in order to tidy up the scum around the rovers.

The end of the exercise was at 22.00 hrs that night, and we were in our sleeping bags at 23.45 back at Wenlock Street, much to our annoyance we were awakened by the rest of the Coy returning at 6.45 the following morning! - inconsiderate lot!

Last updated 7th July 2000