HELP FOR HEROES FUNDRAISER AT THE RICOH ARENA - BY WO2 ALLEN

The Regiment joined an array of former Coventry City professional footballers; including the likes of ‘Dion Dublin’,  ‘Mickey Gynn’ and ‘Darren Huckerby’ to raise funds for the well established ‘Help for Heroes’ charity; assisting wounded and injured British soldiers rehabilitate themselves. 

 

The well attended football event, held at the Ricoh Arena on Sun 4^th May 2014, attracted in excess of 2000 people to watch a legends XI team play a team of Soldiers representing British Army Medical Services and supported by 159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps based in Canley, Coventry. 

 

159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps in Canley, Coventry is currently recruiting and can offer paid part time opportunities in a logistics career to people already in full time employment, part time employment, those in any aspect of further education and the unemployed.  Training will be given and paid for by the unit, there are also many opportunities for travel and to enhance your CV and experience.

If you would like more information please contact 159 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps on Tel: 02476 854977 or 02476 854956.  You may also visit the unit direct at the following address:

159 Supply Regiment RLC

Army Reserve Unit

Cateswell House

Canley

Coventry

CV5 6TA

Theatre Review: The Two Worlds of Charlie F by Sergeant Gentry (237 (West Bromwich) Squadron)

 237 (West Bromwich) Squadron recently conducted a cultural visit to Wolverhampton Civic Theatre to watch a touring production titled “The two worlds of Charlie F”.

The event was organised by Captain Alan O’Brian and saw representation from across all ranks in the Squadron.  We met at the local public house which enabled all to catch-up, socialize and sort tickets before entering the theatre.  I chose to attend with my partner as did many others; we regularly attend the theatre watching both amateur and professional productions throughout the UK and found this play as enjoyable as any we’ve seen in the past.

The production was played mostly by ex-service men and women injured in action with I believe some supporting actors.  The story line/plot centred about the recovery of injured personnel with several mentions of Selly Oak Hospital with some very loud visual effects and a little humour thrown in.  It covered physical and mental injuries with a focus on the partners and families of the soldiers.  I found the aspect from the families interesting with the initial sense of hopelessness and despair, coupled with the determination to get the soldier through their situation and on the road to full recovery

There was a song in the production during act two about flashbacks with the lyrics “not re-living it, living it” suggesting a struggle with reality, that I’ll not forget any time soon.  It helped to understand how these soldiers’ minds work during their recovery, opening my mind to aspects I would never consider.

The act with the blueys (military mail system for personnel deployed on operations overseas) was good for my wife (as I’m due to deploy this year); seeing the joy at receiving mail, brought home how something so mundane in the UK takes on a different aspect on tour.  My wife has already been rallying my family to this effect!

The production was well delivered, with some high visual & audio impact that made the audience jump from their seats (me included).  The confidence of the actors should be commended and they received a standing ovation at the end, which appeared to embarrass them a little.

Although the production has been advertised nationally on BBC radio 2 and possibly others I know none of our group were fully aware of it.  I would and have recommended it, as it’s a story that should be heard.  Non-military people may struggle to grasp what it’s like to serve in the Army on tour, and we must all find it difficult to relate to recovering soldiers, this production covers both and does it very well.

For more information on teh play or to book tickets visit:  http://www.charlie-f.com

CHEF SUPPORT TO EXERCISE MIDLANDS SPEER BY WO2 GUEST (REGIMENTAL CATERING WARRANT OFFICER)

We were tasked by the Regimental Operational Support Officer, Captain Mak Singh MBE, to assist on Exercise Midlands Speer.  This event ran over four weeks by 143(West Midlands) Brigade to show what life is like within the military.  It is held in conjunction with the Job Centre Plus, Job Enterprise Training and Stoke-on-Trent College. 

The Catering Troop was tasked to feed 40 individuals at the end of March with a lunch, on only a £1.50 a head budget.  We also provided a nutritional lecture to the assembled students and of course emphasised that we do catering en-masse but also fine dining for Mess events and other special occasions, giving Chefs a chance to show off their skills.

We arrived at 4 Mercian’s unit lines in Stoke on the Wednesday afternoon to give a brief to the students on calorie intake and then they went off to get their own lunch.  We then analysed their choices and gave them feedback on how good or bad their choices were.   For a bit of added pressure we had the team from BBC 1(One Show) filming us too!

The lecture went well and after they told me what they had eaten and drank that day and we broke down their meals by nutritional values, showing how unhealthy/healthy it was - most of the students had been going to McDonalds so you can guess the results.

On the second day, after setting up the kitchen, Staff Sergeant Morries, from 237 West Brom Squadron, proceeded to make a healthy lunch for the students as I gave the presentation on Nutrition.  

 

 We also took a look at the Operational Ration Pack that we now use on operations around the world and the nutritional value that it gives our troops.  The lunch which was served consisted of pasta, minced beef bolognaise, jacket potatoes, salad, vegetables, fruit and yoghurt.  The students were utterly amazed at what we have to work with on £1.50 for a lunch meal.

The feedback from the students looking to join either the Armed Forces or Reserves is looking good.  Let’s hope these students materialise as soldiers and officers, maybe even some Chefs, of the future!

If you're interested in gaining valuable qualifications as Chef and want to try something different then search online for Army Chef, or pop in to your nearest Army careers centre or Army Reserve centre, for more information.

BARBARIAN BLOG (EDITION 4) – LT COL C J FRANCIS MBE RLC

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Barbarian Blog, whether you are reading this through the military intranet or the Internet, I hope that you enjoy this insight into the recent activities undertaken within 159 Supply Regiment RLC.

Operations

Since I last wrote to you the Operation HERRICK 19 cohort have continued their deployment with 27 Regiment RLC and are now thinking of home.  All Rest and Recuperation, mid-tour leave, has been completed and the 24 Reservists will be home in April.  Invitations for their medal parade, on Saturday 26^th April, will be despatched by 27 Regiment in the near future.

Our Operation HERRICK 20 cohort are currently in Gutersloh with 1 Logistic Support Regiment conducting their Mission Rehearsal Exercise; the final piece in the pre-deployment jigsaw.  The Adjutant, Captain Statham, is in Gutersloh working with our superior headquarters, HQ 102 Logistic Brigade, as part of the validation team. He and their Troop Commander, Lieutenant Sam Walton, have reported that spirits and enthusiasm remain high and our Reservists have been warmly welcomed by the 1 LSR Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Daley RLC, and his team.

We also continue the Force Generation process for our final Reservist cohort to mobilise with 6 Regiment RLC.  Due to the excellent work done in Afghanistan to set the conditions for a timely withdrawal, there remains some uncertainty over the scale of 6 Regiment’s committment.  However we must continue to march to our last orders, namely the training, selection and mobilisation of one officer and 23 soldiers to deploy with 6 Regiment.  The first selection weekend was an unmitigated success and there are two more before the final selection event, the HERRICK Battlecamp, in Sennelager during the Annual Deployment Exercise in May.

Recruiting

Our recruiting teams remain busy, not just out on the streets attracting potential recruits or at the National Recruiting Centre liaising with the Candidate Support Managers, but also in our Squadron lines mentoring the hopeful candidates that we have successfully attracted.  Our attraction levels remain high and the maintenance of interest in potential recruits has been excellent – please keep up the hard work.  Our numbers will only grow through continued effort from all of us, so never be shy of “selling our brand” to those who are interested.  Our Regiment’s achievements, be they sporting or operational, are boast-worthy.

 

Media

You will all be aware of the Regiment’s twitter feed (@159SupRegt) and I hope that you are finding it a useful and positive tool to find out more about what is happening and planned.  To enhance the Regiment’s profile we have established an Internet based blog via blogspot.  It is called “159er” and can be accessed from the following link:

If anyone has a desire to be published on the web or has something that they would like to share then please contact the Adjutant via email:  159SUP-RHQ-ADJT@MOD.UK

Around the Houses

216 (Tynemouth) Squadron

Congratulations to the Permanent Staff Instructor Staff Sergeant Banks and to Lance Corporal Tambin who have recently welcomed new additions to their respective families; babies Thomas and Paul are welcomed to the 159 family.  The Squadron’s most notable recent success has been the high number of volunteers who attended the Regiment’s shooting concentration.  Every person who attended has been selected for the team and kudos to Privates Rudman, Warbrick and Ryan who were singled out for some excellent shooting.

237 (West Bromwich) Squadron

As well as hosting a visit from the RHQ command team and a REME Colonel to advise the Regiment on the future of the REME in the Army Reserve, the Squadron has been busy supporting skiing as socialising – a hard old life!

The OC and SPSI were at the helm for the Regiment during Ex SKI RLC in Bavaria, overseeing some quality skiing but sadly one or two minor injuries.

On the social front it isn’t quite what it seems.  The PSAO organised a cultural evening out for the Sqn and we visited Wolverhampton theatre and saw “The two worlds of Charlie F”  great production with a military theme which we highly commend to everyone linked to the services or otherwise.

243 (Coventry) Squadron

A big welcome to our newest recruit, Pte Curtis and to our latest transfer-in Sgt Milnes, we hope you both enjoy long and successful careers in the Regiment.  Our congratulations go to WO1 Withers who was recently awarded a Commander Land Forces Commendation for his outstanding service to 243 Squadron and the Regiment in recent years.  Such commendations are rare and WO1 Withers is fully deserving of his award.  In addition LCpl Hoskins was named as the “Armed Forces Hero” in the Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire 2013 awards’ ceremony.  Juggling his Reservist role with his voluntary ‘first-responder’ role, LCpl Hoskins was accompanied by his grandfather at the awards, read more here:  (insert link to blog article).  And finally the Squadron deployed over 20 personnel on adventurous training to Anglesey, conducting rock climbing, kayaking and hill walking to name but a few; all for only a few pounds!

381 (Lancaster) Squadron

381 Squadron continues to grow and is finally seeing the arrival from the NRC of some new recruits. We welcome the following soldiers: Cpl’s Judd, Monaghan and Fry; LCpl’s Shepherd, Hall, Davidson and Walsh.  New recruits who will begin their training in April 14 will include Pte Cox (British Olympic Judo Squad) Pte Morton and Pte Walker.

We welcome back Cpl Whyte who had decided to leave but tells me she missed the life too much and has withdrawn her termination.  An excellent NCO we look forward to benefitting from her and the other NCOs’ enthusiasm and experience.

This new training year will see fresh challenges as we are asked to support various World War One remembrance activities here in Lancaster and the surrounding areas.  Armed Forces Day in June promises to be bigger than ever and we have been asked to host elements of the crew of HMS Lancaster.