Almost every writer of these notes starts with the phrase "Another eventful and busy year for Headquarter Company". Who am I to change tradition, because as usual that's exactly what it as been. This period started with a deployment fast-ball sending most of the Battalions Junior and Senior command element off to Sierra Leone. A well-earned Christmas break was swiftly followed by overseas exercises to the Oman and Jamaica. Support to the civil authorities during the Foot and Mouth outbreak also occupied many of us. The dreaded Regular Army Assistance table usually ate into whatever time was left between these tasks. Headquarter Company was represented both at home and abroad ensuring that all of these events were supported with the minimum of fuss and the maximum efficiency.

The ORBAT of the Battalion changed in July to reflect our new role in Omagh and this led to one or two additions to the Headquarter Company orbat. Well actually it was more than one or two as the Company strength rose to 264. These additions are all very welcome and the Company made an impressive sight on the first Battalion muster parade following the reorbat.

During this more than usually busy period those joining and leaving us have included Maj Bradley off to Sandhurst, Capt Emerson and Sgt Blinkhorn on posting and CSgt Curtis, CSgt Whittingham, Sgt Baker, Cpl Johnson, L/Cpl Baker, Pte's Napper, Patterson, Ralphs and Shadbolt all moving back to civilian life. SSgt Ogden our Armourer got himself a posting to Omagh where he will be waiting to rejoin us on our arrival. Welcomed into the company were Capt Peck as MTO, WO2 Clark initially as RQMS(T) and subsequently acting RSM, WO2 Paxton as RQMS(T), CSgt Sweeney as CQMS and Sgt Bulmer back to run the WO's and Sgt's Mess. Also Cpl Kane, L/Cpl McMahon and Pte's Berry, Grimston, Handley and Usher along with The Close Observation Platoon, The Intelligence Platoon, The Signal Platoon and The Dog Section. Last but not least Maj Stainthorpe returned from the rigors of the recruiting world to the challenges of the first Battalion.

These will be the last White Rose notes written from Chester. The challenge of another Northern Ireland Training package looms ever closer and by the time these notes are published we should all be settled into our new role and our new home. Another chapter closed and a fresh page waiting to be written.