HEADQUARTERS, SASC - SASC Comrades Association

MAN—AT—ARMS The Journal of the Small Arms School Corps 2009HEADQUARTERS, SASCRETIREMENTSSection 2-3A/Maj Steve Dinley MBESteve transferred to the Corps from the RoyalHampshire Regiment in 1985, following his transferhe served in a variety of posts including Anti TankDivision (in the days when it was still wire guided),ATR Winchester as the QMSI, SMI of ITCWarminster and the British Military Mission toKuwait. In 1996 he was awarded the MBE for hiswork with Social Services and he wascommissioned in 1998.Following commissioning he moved from Kuwait to take up the postof SO3 with the Platoon Commanders Division in Warminster, hethen moved to the Infantry Trials and Development Unit also inWarminster. On completion of his two tours of Warminster he thenpacked up and headed oversees again, this time as the RLO forSennelager Ranges. Staying with the ranges theme, his final postwas as the Range Officer at Sennybridge – covering not only theSENTA ranges but all ranges and training areas from Wales & West.Following retirement from the Army he returned to Social Servicesand now works with the Probation Service in the Salisbury area.WO2 (QMSI) Nick HartleyNick joined the Army in 1985 and followingtraining at the Junior Infantry Battalion Ouston hejoined the 1 st Battalion the Queens LancashireRegiment. During his time with the QLR heserved in Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia andthe UK.After reaching the rank of Sgt Nick decided it wastime for a change and transferred to the SASC inJun 1998. He was initially posted to Brecon, but within a year movedto Mortar Division in Warminster. Nick remained in the SupportWeapons world until the end of his time and served at the InfantryExport Support Team, 22 SAS and the Infantry Trials andDevelopment Unit. The last of these posts saw him spending muchtime on Operations bringing Urgent Operational Requirementequipment into service.On leaving the Army Nick found employment within the DefenceIndustry and is still a regular visitor to Warminster.Capt John “Scouse” MillingtonAlthough originally hailing from Liverpool, Johnbegan his Army career with the Queens OwnHighlanders. During his early years in the Armyhe completed a number of courses includingRegimental Medical Assistant and 16 mm Projectionist!He soon had a change of directionand moved to the Battalions Armoured ReccePlatoon along with another ex-Corps officer –Capt Joe Bellingham. This gunnery experiencewould serve him well later on in his career.Having transferred to the Corps in 1992, it wasnot long before he returned to his gunnery roots and completed theSchools Cadre at the Gunnery School, Lulworth. It was here that hewas to be re-united once again with Joe Bellingham. FromLulworth John moved to Germany as one of the first SASC QMSI’s tobe employed within an Armoured Infantry Battalion, in his case theRoyal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF). On completion of his post withthe RRF, the next logical step was to stay in Germany and move tothe Armoured Infantry Training and Advisory Team in Sennelager.From Germany John returned to the UK to take up the post of SMI atthe Army Foundation College, Harrogate; this led on to him beingselected for a commission within the SASC. Followingcommissioning he was to return to the Gunnery world (kind of) asSO3 Infantry Export Support Team both at Warminster andsubsequently Bovington. His final post was as SO3 G7 TrainingPolicy at HQ School of Infantry in Catterick. John retired from theCorps in 2008 and is currently working as a Military Contracts Officerin Abu Dhabi.WO1 (SMI) Neil RoseNeil joined the Corps in 1997 following 11 yearsservice with the 3 rd Battalion the ParachuteRegiment. His postings within the Corps (oncehe had cut his teeth at Brecon) included Brunei,Lympstone and Canada and his final tour wasback at Brecon as the SMI of the Infantry BattleSchool.During his leaving speech he said “…thecommon theme throughout my career has beenfun and enjoyment. It’s as if I’ve just spent the past 23 yearslaughing”. He also stated “…I can honestly say that: I have noregrets about transferring to the Corps, I haven’t had a bad day in theCorps, there’s no-one in the Corps I dislike and I have nothingnegative to say about the Corps”. Neil is a qualified English teacherand plans to teach English as a second language until he achieveshis long term aspiration of emigrating to Canada with his family.WO2 (QMSI) Neil WattsIn 1987 Neil joined the 1 st Battalion the StaffordshireRegiment and saw service in Northern Ireland,Germany, Hong Kong, Canada, Iraq, America and theUK. The foundation of his career was as an Infanteerwithin a Rifle Company which led on to hisappointment as a Section Commander at the ITBStrensall and ITC Catterick on it’s formation. He alsocompleted a tour as a Platoon Sergeant at ATR Lichfield beforeeventually transferring to the SASC in 2001.His time within the Corps was spent predominantly at Brecon wherehe was employed as a SI on Infantry Weapons Division, followingpromotion he moved to LFTT wing and then Direct Fire Division as aMachine Gun Instructor. Neil’s final post within the Corps was as theTraining Wing QMSI at ATR Lichfield.Since completing his Colour Service, Neil has started a FTRScontract at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre, Chilwelland works as part of the training team. Neil and his family havesettled in the Lichfield area.WO2 (QMSI) William ‘Wiggy’ WattWiggy joined the 1 st Bn The Duke of Edinburgh’sRoyal Regiment in 1987 and was posted toAldergrove. Wiggy’s flair for ‘all things Signals’ soonbecame evident and in no time at all he became astalwart of the Signals Platoon. As a ‘clansmancommando’ he excelled in his field and was truly anexpert in his chosen speciality. Mention BOWMANto him today and he will shake his head and mutterthe words ‘witchcraft’ under his breath.During his time with 1 DERR he embarked on two particularly toughtours of Northern Ireland, which, for a number of reasons will beeternally etched on the memories of all who served with the Battalionat the time. Needless to say, Wiggy’s good humour and ‘everoptimistic’ personality did wonders for the morale of all whoencountered him during these uncomfortable times.Wiggy’s beloved 1 DERR was eventually amalgamated with 1GLOSTERS and he served the next couple of years with 1 RGBWbefore joining the SASC in 1998. He initially served on JuniorInfantry Weapons Division where he developed a strange fetish forpainting anything which moved. This said, anyone who ever tookover one of his classrooms was guaranteed to get a magnolia cladtreat with a myriad of unusual training aids. The like of which haveprobably only ever been matched by the best Blue Peter presenters.From JIWC Wiggy re-trained and moved to the Mortar Division andwas subsequently posted to the Infantry Export Support Team(twice), Hereford as the support weapons QMSI and finally to CTC(RM). On retirement Wiggy has moved to the North of England andis living in Barnsley.4

Section 2-3MAN—AT—ARMS The Journal of the Small Arms School Corps 2009HEADQUARTERS, SASCRETIREMENTSWO2 (QMSI) Johnny DrainLt Col Chris Hood departs pending Retirement in October 2009Johnny joined the Royal Scots in 1987 and spent11 years with the 1 st of Foot, including a tour as asection commander at Glencorse, beforetransferring to the SASC in December 1998.Following his move to the Corps Johnny servedwith both Junior and Senior Infantry WeaponsCompany before being posted the NorthernIreland Training Regiment in Ballymena in 2001.During his time in Ballymena Johnny “had a go” at golf, this initial tryled on to a committed passion for the sport which continuedthroughout his days in Northern Ireland and subsequent postings.During his time at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre(RTMC), Chilwell, he represented the RTMC in both golf and football(another one of his passions) and ran the SASC Golf Championshipin Nottingham.Following his time at RTMC Johnny was to return to Brecon, initiallyas a Pl QMSI with the now renamed Infantry Weapons Division, andthen as the QMSI with Platoon Commanders Division (PCD). FromPCD he moved into the Course Resources Cell where he wasresponsible for co-ordinating the resources for all Divisions within theInfantry Battle School.Major Kevin Sandison (left) presenting an SASC Statuette to WO1 (SMI) RoseHandover of Chief Instructor Small Arms School Corps fromLt Col Chris Hood (right) to Lt Col Will Paterson 19 June 2009Johnny retired from the Army in May 2009 and settled in the Breconarea with Valerie and the children. He is still an active member ofCradock Golf Club and can be regularly seen chasing the ball –“FORE”!Sgt (SI) Phil WardPhil joined the Royal Anglian Regiment in1995 and subsequently transferred to theSASC in March of 2006. Following transferhe was to spend his time with the Corps onthe Infantry Weapons Division at the InfantryBattle School, Brecon. He was a keenfootballer who had represented the Infantryand the Army before joining the Corps.After only a short time within the Corps hedecided to terminate his service and seewhat life would be like on the outside. During his leaving speech atBrecon he said that he had some fond memories, new experiencesand new friends as a result of his time with us. He has taken a jobwith Tesco as a night manager and has settled in Peterborough withhis partner Donna, we wish them both well for the future.Time to leave! Lt Col Chris Hood about to depart for civilian life.What historical connection has this weapon to the Corps? For answer visit the SASC Room of the Weapons Collection5

MAN—AT—ARMS The Journal of the Small Arms School Corps 2009DINED OUT AT BRECON10th October 2008Section 2-4Major Kevin Sandison (left) presenting an SASC Statuette to WO1 (SMI) RoseSgt Phil Ward receiving presentation from Major Kevin SandisonA selected photo gallery says it allMajor ‘Andy’ Riddell making a tankard presentation to WO2 (QMSI) Rentonon his departure from IWD to his new WO1 (SMI) appointment at Breconas SMI Infantry Battle School HQAustralian Exchange Instructor WO2 de Kock with Capt Kyle afterreceiving a farewell memento from IWDL-R. Shauna Lynch, Elaine Watson, Michelle Rose, and Colleen MarrSpeeech! Major Kevin Sandison delivers6