Since the last White Rose notes the most noticeable event was the deployment of the battalion on OP Bassilica to Sierra Leone. Five drivers deployed in support of the battalion, Cpl Morris, LCpl Singleton, LCpl Oxley Pte Cullen and Pte Farnsworth.

Since returning from OP Bassilica the MT Platoon has seen much change over the past few months. Noticeably the MTO, Capt S Emerson has left on posting and replacing him on commissioning is Capt G Peck. The new MTO arrived back in Chester on the 23rd April 01 having completed MTO Course and two days later deployed on OP Peninsular to assist in the defeat of Foot & Mouth Disease. CO 1 PWO assumed operational responsibility for command of OP Peninsular at 271200 Apr 01.

Arriving in Cumbria we were moved into hotels or guest-houses thereafter the game of hotel hopping began. Finally, after the MTO's third move it was decided that the 6ft x 6ft broom cupboard they had found him would fit his new found station in life and so the game of hotel hopping ended.

Thinking of the operation and the sheer scale of what had happened in Cumbria over the previous few weeks it was hard to believe, quite incredible and very moving emotionally. Driving around the countryside of Cumbria one could not help but wonder so many animals slaughtered in the effort to beat the decease.

The fields were empty where one would expect thousands of new-born lambs to be bouncing around. Speaking to the locals they say it will take many years for the area to recover fully. Assisting the MTO in Cumbria were Cpl (Punge) Morris, Cpl (Speedy) Stead and LCpl (Shady) Green.

The MTO and Cpl Morris ran the Transport Operations Cell, controlling contractors and allocating collection tasks in order to dispose of the slaughtered animals. Cpl Stead looked after the 1 PWO transport requirements and LCpl Green acted as shuttle driver ferrying personnel from hotel to hotel. The social life was quite good too, rumours of £40 pizza were circulating and I can confirm they are very true.

Back in Chester the PL was left in the capable hands of Sgt Mick Scaife who has work hard on the preparations for the forth coming Annual Equipment Care Inspection starting on the 02 July 01. This inspection went very well gaining the Battalion a green light and Sgt Scaife and all the MT Pl should be congratulated. This ECI has formed the basis of the MT PL hand-over to 1 WFR in November/December this year.

The PL has supported all the major overseas FTXs noticeably, Exercise Rocky Lance in the Oman from the 03 Mar - 14 Apr 01 and Exercise Red Stripe in Jamaica from 28 Apr - 06 June 01.

The PL at present is suffering a manning crisis which the Adjutant promises will be addressed shortly. I expect the strength of the MT Pl to around the 1 + 24 mark for our tour in NI.

We say a sad farewell to Sgt Mick Scaife who has moved to the Families Office. Sgt Scaife has done an excellent job for the battalion over the past two years and we hope he enjoys his new role. We also say good by to Cpl Dave Crowther on completion of his 22 years service, he now works in the Chester area for a local haulage firm, we wish him well. Farewell also to LCpl Stu Oxley, LCpl Andy Baker, LCpl Chris Wardman, Pte George Fearnley and Pte Steve Williamson who all leave the Army we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

Returning back in to the PL from COP PL we welcome Sgt Chris Ryder who replaces Sgt Scaife as PL Sgt. We welcome to the PL Pte Rodgerson, Pte Mohoney, Pte Taylor, Pte Wells, Pte Ripley, Pte Price, Pte O'Connor and Pte Mitchell all of whom were posted into the PL on the NI orbat.

The PL is now restructured and is ready for the challenge of the next two years in Omagh, Northern Ireland.