Enfield Battalion
Small Squad Drill Competition.
Tuesday 16th March 2005.
Continuing the gradual climb to assurgency, the 3rd re-entered the squad drill arena for the first time in at least five years. Availability of boy’s forced the 3rd to enter the small squad ( 6– 8) rather than the main competition ( 10 –12) , but at least we were there!.
With around 8 weeks to prepare, the main difficulty was that 2 members of the squad had never attempted drill at all and 1 member had never gone near a drill competition at all!, ah the challenges of a uphill climb.
Every now and again the 3rd makes your hairs in your neck stand up and the response of the Squad to the challenge did exactly this, I challenge any company in Enfield , nay London to get a group of boys aged 11—17 to come to BB on a extra night for an hour JUST to practice drill, in 2005, well WE DID and no one was more surprised and happy than me.
With Adrian at the helm the paper was worked through, some initial difficulties worked out, Rob G even managed to work out his left and right by competition night and the stage was set.
Unforeseen events keep you on your toes and with Tom Winfield injuring himself 2 days before the competition and other pull outs , Andrew Clarke was drafted in and immediately proved to be a worthy addition.
5 Companies entered the competition , 1st Enfield, 3rd Enfield, 10th Enfield, 1st Hoddeston and as this was also North London zone the 133rd London.
As is customary the 3rd was stitched up and we were on first.
It was left for the 3rd to set the standard, and a high standard of drill was set. A few minor faults but on the whole a very good performance from the squad.
In particular the squads dressing and movements as a squad was excellent and provoked comments from other officers present as to the validity of my claim that before 8 weeks ago 2 members had no experience of drill.
Our main contenders were the 10th and the 1st Enfield, and both squads produced excellent performances
although the latter seemed to remind me of Dad’s Army!
Anyway I digress, so before the complaints arrive the results were nervously awaited and are as follows,
1st - 1st Enfield 87 1/2 Marks
2nd -10th Enfield 85 3/4 Marks
3rd - 3rd Enfield 84 Marks
4th - 1st Hoddeston 79 Marks
5th - 133rd London 78 Marks
As you can see only 1 3/4 Marks separates us from the 10th and the same margin the 10th from the 1st.
A very good outing for the squad and we will be back better than ever next year I promise you!
Huge congratulations to the Squad of:
Sgt Tom Boorman, Cpl R Gardner, Cpl Tom Killey
Pte Mat Haddon, Pte R Arrowsmith and Pte Andrew Clarke.
And to Adrian for commanding the squad.
Kevin