ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Friday 27th November 2009, a bright but cold morning and was on my way to the home of the Guards Training Company, the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion in Helles Barracks once again.
But before I give this report I must apologise to Lance Reah because due to a family problem I was unable to attend a Passing -out -Parade on the 13th November at which Lance tells me his youngest son was passing-out into the Coldstream Guards.
He informed that it was a good parade, not only that, but his son was also the winner of the Best Recruit award, and of course Lance looked for my report on our website. Sorry mate but I hope this helps.
Today it was No 22 Platoon who were Passing -out, of the 50 trainees who started out on the course only 38 made through of which six were Coldstream Trainee Guardsmen.
It was a pleasure to have a decent band also on parade with the Regimental Band of the Welsh Guards, with winter upon us both the band and trainee guardsmen paraded in Blue greatcoats. To the music of Guards Armoured the platoon marched smartly on parade.
CSM John Hardy marched to the centre of the square and as the platoon turned towards him the two stick orderlies dropped off to take up their position in the top corner of the square to await the Inspection party.
With the platoon in position and given their dressing the CSM walked over and handed the platoon of to the Platoon Commander Lt Charles-Jones (Welsh Guards) a man with a powerful voice. This was to be his last parade as he was going to Iraq to train their potential officer cadets.
The Inspecting Officer today was Colonel James Stopford, late Irish Guards who was born in 1961.
That was the year I left the army, he was commissioned into the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in 1980, and he became Commanding Officer of the Battalion in 2001 in Germany.
The Parade itself was a great display of foot and arms drill matched by the music of the Welsh Guards band.
But unfortunately the platoon had completed the march past in Slow and Quick time and as they turned at the last corner to mark time before returning to their starting point, the officer marched away to take up his position in the centre of the square, the Platoon Sergeant gave to order 'Forward' only for the right hand side four of the platoon to be out of step and it took the next mark time to get it right.

Time for the prize winners to come forward and receive their tankards:
Best Endeavor: T/Gdsn Tancock. Welsh Guards
Best Shot: T/Gdsn Edwards 40. Welsh Guards.
Best at Physical Training: T/Gdsn Frost. Coldstream Guards.
Best at Drill and Turnout: T/Gdsn Jones 69. Welsh Guards.
Best Recruit: T/Gdsn Walmsley. Grenadier Guards.
Soldiers Medal: T/Gdsn Freeman. Scots Guards.

The winners of the Major Generals medals as best section were........
L/Sgt Jones (Welsh Guards) Section,
a rather unusual section, because apart from one Coldstream Trainee all the rest were Welsh Guards!
The Platoon Staff: Platoon Commander. Lt Charles- Jones.Welsh Guards.
Platoon Sergeant. Sgt Davis. Grenadier Guards.
Section commanders:
L/Sgt Dragon. Grenadier Guards.
L/Sgt Duncan. Scots Guards.
L/Sgt Palmer. Irish Guards.
L/Sgt Jones. Welsh Guards.
Barrack Room Instructor: L/Cpl Armstrong. Irish Guards

. In his closing speech Colonel Stopford thanked the Company Commander, Major Johnny Langton for inviting him to the parade.
He congratulated the now Guardsmen for an excellent parade and completing the 28 weeks of arduous training, not always in good weather especially of late, and the band of the Welsh Guards for providing the music.
He commended the training staff for doing a brilliant job of turning these young men into trained Guardsmen, he also thanked the families for their help and assistance.
The march off was to the music of Heilan Laddie and St Patrick's Day they marched past the stands to rapturous applause, followed by the band who were also warmly applauded and finally the four markers who as always are first on and last off parade.
But this was a special occasion because all four were Coldstream Guards, but one of them Sergeant Al Davison who had served at Catterick for fourteen years and with the Regiment for twenty four years was leaving the Regiment, another man who over the past few years had become a very good friend, Big Al I wish you all the best for the future.
Your Roving reporter Mannie Cook

THE GUARDS TRAINING COMPANY 2ND INFANTRY TRAINING BATTALION
THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF No 24 PLATOON

With Thursday 29th October 2009 being a lovely warm day and a promise of it to continue, I decided to travel to Helles Barracks for the above passing out parade, but was I wrong.
The further I travelled towards Catterick the darker the sky became and I was expecting a downpour at any moment, luckily the rain kept away, but it turned out to be arctic conditions, boy was it cold.
The Parade should have started at ten o'clock, but for some reason the new WOII (CSM) John Hardy, Scots Guards did not arrive on the parade ground until twenty five past.
He gave no reason for the lateness, but blamed the families and friends of the trainee guardsmen, saying he had been stood outside his office listening to all the chatter from the stands and waiting for it to subside.
After giving the families details of what was to happen on the parade, what not to do and when to do the right things he strode away to bring the platoon on parade.
Accompanied by the band of The Heavy Cavalry & Cambrai Band,of which I now know that on 1st June 2006, the four bands of The Royal Armoured Corps were reduced to just two. The Royal Tank Regiment Band was amalgamated with the Royal Dragoon Guards to form the band on parade today and were relocated to Catterick.
The Platoon in Great Coat order marched smartly on parade, twenty four trainee guardsmen of which seven were Coldstreamers.
After been giving their dressing the CSM marched over to the Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Kendall, Coldstream Guards, an officer I have met before and as I learned later this was his last parade before returning to battalion duties.
The CSM joined the two stick orderlies on the far corner of the parade ground to await the inspecting officer, Brigadier J I S Stevenson MBE
(late Royal Scots).
After inspecting the two orderlies the group marched onto parade. Lt Kendall marched over to the saluting dais and presented the platoon for inspection and asked to accompany the Brigadier which was granted.
The Brigadier took time to speak to the entire platoon and while this was going on I was stood with two serving Sergeants who mentioned how cold it was.
The inspection over it was now time for the trainee Guardsmen to loosen their muscles and march past in slow and quick time, the band played 'The Royal Standard' and 'King's Guard'.
I don't know if this was because it was a small platoon, but this was the elite of the elite, their performance was brilliant which the Brigadier reported on in his speech.
Next came the presentation of awards to the prize winners:
Best Endeavour:............................ Trainee Guardsman Berry. Welsh Guards.
Best Shot: .......................Trainee Guardsman McFarland. Coldstream Guards.
Best At physical Training: ..................Trainee Guardsman Daudu. Irish Guards.
Best at Drill and turn Out:.......... Trainee Guardsman French. Grenadier Guards.
Best Recruit; .....................Trainee Guardsman Massarella. Coldstream Guards.
Soldiers Medal;..............Trainee Guardsman Swanborough. Coldstream Guards.

This was followed by the presentation of the Major Generals Medal to the winning Section.
SectionCommander: .....L/Sgt Gill Coldstream Guards:
Trainee Gdsn O'Flaherty,
Trainee Gdsn Berry,
Trainee Gdsn Bryden,
Trainee Gdsn Daudu,
Trainee Gdsn Black,
Trainee Gdsn Williams,
Trainee Gdsn Hodgson,
Trainee Gdsn Paterson
Trainee Gdsn Rogers.
The parade was now concluded with the Platoon marching off to rapturous applause and well deserved with the band playing a melody of tunes starting with Milanollo.
The Band followed being warmly applauded, and last but certainly not least the men who are first and last off parade, the markers to receive a great round of applause.
The Platoon Sergeant was Sgt Owen (Gren Gds),
Sect Commdrs, L/Sgt Baines (Scots Guards),
L/Sgt Castell Nuovo (Gren Gds),
L/Sgts Gill & Smith (Coldm Gds)
Room Insector L/Cpl Yoxall (IrIsh Gds).
I walked over to the company office to see Company Commander Johnny Langton to let him know that I was not stopping, and he thanked me for my support.
I was frozen to the bone and glad to get in my car and head for home,
I have attended Catterick now for over six years and have enjoyed every minute. God willing I will continue,
but maybe not quite as often, we will see.
I have said farewell over those years to three WOII's (CSM's) John Donaldson, Ronnie Corbett and Craig Hutton plus two WOII's (Drill Sgts); Dec Donaghy and Al Aitkin.
All very good friends. Mannie Cook

Captain Beatty joined the Army on the 8th Dec.1980 and following his 6 mths training at the Depot he passed out in April 1981
He quickly demonstrated outstanding potential, gaining promotion and a posting back to the Guards Depot, as a recruit instructor in 1987.
Following 3 yrs as a Plt. Sgt.he was posted to the RMAS as Colour Sgt. Instructor in 1992 and then returned to the 1st Bt. as CQMS.
In Nov.1996, he returned to RMAS as a CSM and then took up the appointment of Drill Sgt. with his Battalion.
He was responsible for the training of the Bt. for the Queens Birthday Parade twice.
Freedom of the City Parades for London and Berwick, and the Presentation of New Colours to his Regiment.
He was responsible for the Bearer Party for Lt. Gen. Sir William Rous funeral,
where he handled the intricate funeral arrangements with immense tact and diplomacy.
He has twice organised the Annual Inspection of the Scouts Association by Her Majesty the Queen, gaining high praise from the Association for the immpeccable support.
In April 2001 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One.
For two yrs. that followed he was the Regimental Sergeant of Old College RMAS, where he was an inspiration to all.
His ability, dedication and further potential were recognised and he was selected for Commission in the Coldstream Guards in April 2003.

Captain Beatty has provided almost 22 yrs of faithful and meritorious service to the Colours.
His Commanding Officer at the Royal Military Academy descibes him as
'one of the most outstanding soldiers he has commanded in 30 yrs Service'.
He has provided an impressive mix of unwavering support to his family in difficult circumstances.
At the same time, total dedication, loyalty and allegiance to the Colours that is recognised today by the award of the Meritorious Service Medal.