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B (LDYPAO) Squadron - Review 18 September 2014
We are now in the 220th
year since the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry Regiments
were raised in 1794, and the 22nd year since our
reformation as B Sqn the RY. Things very rarely stand still for
long in the Army, particularly in the face of fundamental
changes imposed by virtue of major Defence reviews and a shift
in focus for the UK’s Armed Services from Operational campaign
commitments to a return to contingency. For the RY we have just
seen A & B Sqns RMLY in Dudley & Telford join the Regiment and
we have bid a sad farewell to A Sqn in
Swindon to the RWxY in July. The former A & B Sqns
RMLY who have just joined us are to amalgamate in October and,
as you are aware, this Sqn was to amalgamate with S Sqn to form
the new A (SRY, LDY, SNHY) Sqn with SHQ in Nottingham. I am
delighted to be able to report to you now that following a
subsequent review of the announcement made last year led by Lt
General Nick Carter, Commander Land Forces, direction has now
been given that amongst other changes B (LDY) Squadron is to
remain a fully formed sabre Squadron of The Royal Yeomanry. This
is subject to review in December 2016 and the outcome of that
review will be largely determined by our recruited and trained
strength as at April 2016.There is also another Defence Review
due next year. The Sqn continues to recruit hard, train hard and
remains firmly at the forefront in Operational deployments
within the Regiment.
On Op HERRICKs 16, 18 and 19 some 22 LDY Yeomen deployed to
Afghanistan, 4 are currently deployed on Op TOSCA in Cyprus and
7 were deployed on Op OLYMPIC at home in the UK. That brings a
total of 33 deployed on Ops in the past 2 ½ years, representing
over 50% of our actual strength. This is not the first time I
have pushed out these numbers, and nor will it be the last.
There are very few other British Army Reserve Sub Units, if any
to my knowledge, who can boast that figure in that timeline,
which represents an incredible endorsement as to the utility,
employability, proficiency, courage and commitment of the men of
this Sqn, something we should all be extremely proud of and not
too shy in promoting.
Sqn level trg has been operating at full tilt with a series of
Sqn Field Trg Exercises on Salisbury Plain, Thetford, Swynerton
and Yardley Chase providing training on platform tactical
manoeuvre skills, mounted OP’s, dismounted raids and route
recce’s building our mounted platform skills. This progressive
Sqn training is leading up to a Regt Field Trg Exercise in a
full Combined Arms Battle Group scenario for Annual Camp in
October at Warcop and Otterburn, at which time the current
Commanding Officer, former B Sqn Trg Capt, Lt Col Kingsley
Donaldson, hands over to the CO Designate, Maj Simon McMenemy.
Annual Camp held last Sept at the Armour Centre in Bovington and
Lulworth saw a good number of Sqn pers qualifying on the RWMIK
platform, HMG & GPMG weapon systems. B Sqn made a very good
account of ourselves – securing the award for Best Soldier by
Commanding Officer for performance on the Close Target Recce
during the Regimental Field Training Exercise phase, B Sqn won
the inter Sqn sports competition and we were the only Sqn to
successfully complete the Regimental Patrolling Competition.
Our affiliation with the Worshipful Company of Framework
Knitters continues to develop successfully, with the granting of
awards from the Company to Sgt Davie and LCpl Morrison for
outstanding service to the Sqn this year. The Sqn also provided
an escort to the Companies carriage at the Lord Mayors parade in
London
in November.
Recruiting remains a top priority for the Sqn, we currently
stand at over 75% of our revised establishment as a Light
Cavalry Sqn. The challenges experienced with CAPITA controlling
the recruiting process are now starting to be overcome. We have
a good number of individuals in our recruiting pipeline, of
which we expect to see at least another 5 new additions to the
Sqn over the next 2-3 months – a mix of new recruits, some ex
Regulars and transferees from other Units.
The Sqn Messes are thriving – for the first time in a long while
we can boast a full complement of Officers and we also have a
further 2 PO’s expected to Commission next year, thereby
bringing the Sqn Reserve Officer count to 8, allowing
progression through, and depth to, the Officer plot over the
next 2 – 3 years.
The Sgts Mess is similarly well established currently under Sgt
Maj Haldane now with 2 x SSgt and 4 x Sgts on strength. A Sqn
Promotions Board was also held recently to ensure further
promotions to Junior and SNCO posts over the months ahead.
Postings in and out of the Sqn have included
IN – Sgt Mitchell
QDG as MT PSI, Sgt Byrne from the National Recruiting Centre
into the Sqn Recruiting Team, Sgt Williams late 9/12L into 2nd
troop and LCpl Hughes, Tprs Reynolds, Ollin, Bradbury, Kirkwood
and new Recruits Clarke, Pearce, Tyler, Fitzpatrick and Clifford
into the Troops. OUT
SPSI SSgt Fleetwood who left Regular service but is now on our
Reserve ORBAT , MT PSI Sgt Stanley who has been posted to the
Cheshire Yeomanry Sqn in Chester, SSgt Veall who has retired
from military service after a long and illustrious service with
the Sqn, SSgt Hanson QDG and QPSI SSgt Andy Acton, who has
served with great distinction with the Sqn for 8 years.
Our relationship with our affiliated cap badged ACF Sqn, F Sqn
LNR ACF has also been active, with our providing supplementary
training at field training events at Yardley Chase and it is my
intent for that to develop further this year with instructor
interaction and joint training opportunities with F Sqn and the
other Coy’s & Sqns in Leics, Rutland and Northants.
We have hosted a visit by Helen Briggs, CEO Rutland County
Council in December and Sir Edward Garnier MP in February,
during which he presented campaign medals to LCpl’s Illic,
Perace & Tpr Edwards upon their return from Afghanistan.
There have been two memorial services attended by the Sqn this
past year. Lt Col Aubrey Ridley-Thompson in Oct last year, who
commanded the LDY when a Regt in the early sixties and was
Chairman of the LDY Association from 1979 to 2008. Marcus
Kimball, Baron Kimball of Easton, in April this year, who served
as A Sqn Ldr LY, late of Royal Horse Guards & MP for
Gainsborough. He also commanded the LY
contingent at the Queen’s Coronation, was Chairman of the
British Field Sports Society & Countryside Alliance & was Deputy
Lieutenant for both Leicestershire and Rutland.
We, therefore, continue to train hard, commit to Operational
requirements at every given opportunity, and lean into an active
Sqn Recruiting and Community Engagement programme. I am
confident the Sqn has a bright future beyond the planned review
in December 2016.
Major Paul Davey
Officer Commanding
B (LDYPAO) Squadron
The Royal Yeomanry
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