Op Herrick XII

by Cpl Bugler CD Brown RM

On 6th September 2009 I arrived at Norton Manor Camp for my thirteen month attachment to 40 Commando Royal Marines as their Bugler for Herrick XII.

Caleb in his forklift

My first port of call was the RSM’s office to ‘chew the fat’ over what the next year would have in store for me. It was decided that for the time being I would join the Motor Transport Troop in Logs Company and so for the next six weeks I would spend my time at DST Leconfield gaining my Cat C and C+E driving licences.
On return to Norton Manor Camp more driver training, required for green fleet vehicles: Four Tonne DAF, Six Tonne MAN, JCB forks and an unfortunate Pinzgauer which was to come a cropper due to my off-road driving skills! All this was done in time for my first Bugling duties on Armistice Day.

November and December passed by with a Landing Point Commanders’ course at RAF Benson, BFT (no shorts and trainers here!) CFT (8 mile yomp with 65lb Bergan) APWT and our first unit exercise in Norfolk, which led us nicely into Christmas leave.

Mandatory OPTAG in ‘baltic’ Folkestone worked off the excess beer and mince pies, ready for another Brigade exercise on Salisbury training area, and just before Pre-deployment leave, time for one more course at Deepcut Barracks to qualify me as Unit Postal Orderly…

At 4am on the 7th April 2010 both Logs and Command Company left Norton Manor Camp for their three day journey to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan via Brize Norton, Akrotiri and Kandahar Air Base. On arrival it was straight into mandatory OPTAG (Forward) for four days before starting our handovers to our new jobs from 3 Rifles.

Caleb and the 'Underslung Heroes' at work

Apart from two weeks in June as Unit Postie to cover Cpl ‘Gilly’ Gillchrist’s R&R, I was to spend the next six months working in the load park at Camp Bastion. Myself and Sgt Jack ‘Sixpack’ Hawkins would be responsible for the rigging and hooking on of all the under slung loads from Camp Bastion to ‘Battlegroup North’ (Sangin and district) occupied by 40 Cdo RM and A Coy, The Mercian Regiment, ‘The Cheshires’. To that end, all water, rations, ammunition, vehicles, fuel, engineers' equipment and anything else required by the battle group, was sent forward by Jack and myself who were on call 24/7 and often found ourselves living in the load park for days on end to make sure the right kit and re-supply was sent to where it was needed for the lads on the ground. I must at this point pass on a personal massive ‘Thank You’ to Jack and all the guys and girls of the JHSS (The Underslung Heroes!).

Job done and the Chinook makes its way to A coy 40CdoRM

My primary role within 40 Cdo, and as time progressed also within 4 Mech Brigade was of course Bugler, and as I am sure you are all well aware I was called upon for this task too many times… The Vigil and Ramp ceremonies were always trying times, and I hope that my small part in them helped the lads cope with the loss of their oppos. My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have fallen in Afghanistan.
On the Unit’s return to the UK, a big thank you must go to Plymouth Band for their awesome support at our recent medal parade and march through Taunton. It was very much appreciated by myself and everyone else who attended both days.

In summary, to close this chapter of my career, I would like to thank Jack, The MT Troop and everyone else at 40 Cdo RM who I had the pleasure to work with over the last thirteen months. Per Mare, Per Terram, Per Bugillo!

K

Added to site 12 April 2011 from Winter 2010 Blue Band Magazine