The Boys Xmas Lunch

[beefy22]

The boys Xmas lunch went well yesterday, but I expect a few sore heads today (Friday). The good old tradition was in place with 'gun fire' in the early hours of the morning at relevant Coy lines; then it was the CO`s run!

While the battalion run was on the RQ and his CQMS`s fatigue party was setting up the square for the JNCO`s cadre pass off and the cook house for the boys' lunch.

At 1000hrs the JNCO cadre pass off was in place and 8 members of the cadre earned their stripes on the Square, with Fus Warren (A Coy) winning the Wright Cup (pic to follow) for the best student and Fus Morgan27 (B Coy) winning the most improved student. So a big congrats to them.

All Cpls and below then went back to their respective coy bars for pre-drinks. The SNCO` and Officers then met in the Sgts' Mess for their pre-drinks. The lads arrived at the Cookhouse at 1220. Once they were all seated, the thumbs up was given to the RSM for junior Sgt ( Sgt Tredrea) to march the Seniors and Officers to the Ccookhouse to begin serving the lads their Xmas lunch.

Once the meal was finished, it was time to announce the winners of the Christmas table decoration competitikon, which went to HQ Coy. This was followed by the reading of the Xmas Wishes received from others and the good old fashioned sing songs, which was started off by Capt Butts with THE GALLOPING 23RD, which went down a treat. All Officers and seniors went back to the Officers' Mess for a Curry lunch, then it was all off to the Red Dragon for a good old all ranks beer fest.

It was a good day throughout, and one that was well deserved for all the hard work the boys have done this year. I will shortly putting photos on the Gallery of the day very soon.

[Barry69]

Oh yes I remember that day well and I am glad Don is carrying on the traditions of song set so firmly by Col Nick, an amazing day enjoy!

PS Well done HQ Company "with table Decs":emoticon-sign:

[ukcalling]

Ah remember them days well if one thing is to make up the fusiliers first thing in the morning its the gd old gun fire (yuck) remember the christmas dinners also with the nice tasting expensive beer lol yeah rite. and the regimental caracters who use to sing (Pascoe)gd to see Don keeping up the tradition. Naddolig Llawen boys

[Rushy2639]

Well done to all the boys who passed JNCO cadre Beefy im just wondering if Fus Abbot from B coy passed hope all is well out in Cyprus

[ap1]

Brings back great memories of life with the Bn.

Im looking forward to seeing the pictures Beefy. If you have a decent one of the cup, I will insert it into Leg's write up in The Fallen.

Merry Xmas to you and your family Beefy, and thanks for all your help.

Al

[DP43]

Beefy does the Bn still invite a member of Legs' family to present the cup? Maybe when you move to Chester there may be the oppourtunity to continue that custom?

[Martyn Leader]

Good point - I'll mention it when I see 1st Bn soon. I remember most of Legs' family coming out to Ballykelly in 1999 to do the honours.