The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 27 Summer 2017 | Page 21

The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and
Letters
Patent
been missing
for and
many
computer can simulate a whole range of scenarios
Major
Brown
spoke which
to the have
assembled
company
years
-
our
Clerk
tenaciously
sought
them
out,
and
from targets at assorted distances to combat
I responded with warm thanks for a truly splendid
Immediate
Master,
Chris
Allen, and him
his
situations where you “kill” the enemy. It also decides the
and new
fun day
and had Past
great
pleasure
in presenting
IPM, a Mark
Gower-Smith
a beautiful
re-
how many rounds your gun will be allowed and
with
cheque
to be spent have
on his funded
men, together
with
presentation
and
they
are
now
resplendent
in
frames
when you’re “empty” you have to change magazines
a box of The Master’s Snuff to be shared as needed.
carved
with
tobacco
leaves
close to); Sandra
etc. whilst shouting “magazine” and “I’m in” etc.
Then the
scores...
these
were (or
complicated
as the also
ratio
located
a
huge
banner
not
seen
since
1985
and
Angus
of
hits
to
rounds
used
had
to
be
computed.
It
seems
There was also a “game” where a message was given
Menzies,
Clerk
to the
Master
Mariners
and never
we won the
1st and
3rd
rounds,
the London’s
the shy
to the far-right shooter and it had to be relayed
of a challenge
saw
to hinged
it that it on
was
on and
the
2nd
and 4th, so
it all
the displayed
5th round,
between guns during a combat situation and be
Quarterdeck.
in that they had achieved a 10% better hit rate by
repeated by the last gun on the left, apart from the
using
the biblical-
trophy for
Whilst less
all ammunition,
this was going they
on, retained
apparently
instruction changing from “right” to “left” halfway
the
3rd
year
in
a
row!
We
then
repaired
back
to the
style downpours were being had all over London
down, it was correct. The morning was spent in
tr aining
room
where
we were we given
a bit
fun - two
- oblivious
to all
that drama
ended
our of lunch
practice for us to acclimatise ourselves. By about
Glock
hand
pistols,
similarly
rigged
with
sound
and
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
12.30 it was time for lunch and Bob had decided we
given
to us to
our mention
luck in one
Cigars, etc.
and were
Cognac
awaited
us try
(I did
that of
were to be treated to the full experience. Thus it was, ammo
the
scenarios
- only
and back
our wooded
Livery enjoyed
dining
on front
the High
C’s..) sights
and
a truck arrived with jerry cans of some ‘range stew’,
and
use
of
both
hands.
It
was
very
good
fun
and
which
seemed
to
hit
the
mark
–
Liveryman
Jemma
loaves of bread, doughnuts and apples and we tucked
Sandra
given
a go which
she gamely
took
Freeman
had was
kindly
provided
the torpedo
cigars
into a typical field meal and very tasty it all was too - even
up
with
her
arm
encased
in
a
splint.
With
the
formal
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with our
the army eats well these days it seems.
proceedings
over, the
regiment
civvies
Crest emblazoned
on it.
Several changed
of us also into
sported
That all done, we then went back to the briefing room and we popped down the road to buy the Victors
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
where we were introduced to the regimental team
a conceived
pint in the
as shooting
it was so nice,
as local
a sort - of
hat, it several
serves of
its us
up against us. We were to shoot five different targets, smoked outside. By 4.45 it was time to go and I said
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
alternating teams... all the targets were live action
my
farewells.
Next
year we by
look
Ralph
ordered,
but one
remained
the forward
close of to
the
day!
video types and were huge fun - it took some time to joining us as left-handers have no case ejectors to
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the
really see what was going on as there was “incoming” worry about! Take note Ralph and see you there...
use of the venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
fire to cope with, plenty of flashes and explosions
Thanks
to the
a great
day.
Guest, and
for London
everyone Regiment
attending for
and
giving
my
and advancing enemy troops or terrorists to flush out
year such a special start.
of derelict townscapes etc. When this was all done,
Charles Miller
we were told to take the air (it had become a very
Immediate Past Master
fine day outside) and a glass of juice. During this,
The Master
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