The major hurdle of the term was complete, and the remaining days of term came hurtling past. Our Company Sergeant Major was leaving just before the end of term and he wanted to go in style. He was fond of getting the entire company together and having a frank man to men chat. It was occasions like these that he’d make use of his stock phrases like “One hundred and fifty percent effort” and “you only get out what you put in” which so endeared him to us. When he left, he wanted to be the Drill Sergeant for the First Battalion the Welsh Guards, and to ensure this happened, he wanted Inkerman to secure first, second and third place in the prestigious Drill Competition. It tells you something about the man when everyone was quite willing to put all of the effort in, regardless of their own inconvenience and loss of free time (spent practicing). We did indeed bag the top three placed and seeing him leaping down the steps of the Grand Entrance with a boyish grin from ear to ear on seeing the scoreboard was more than adequate repayment. Out platoon night out was soon here and we headed en masse to London and to one night club in particular: School Dinners. Our compère, The Headmaster (a dead ringer for Julian Cleary) and his ‘prefects’ looked after our every need. As the name suggests, the food was a throwback to primary school days – but this time you could have seconds! Being prefects, the girls were responsible for maintaining discipline and they used their canes to good effect. Everything was tastefully done and the night rolled by in hysterical giggles – in fact we behaved just like little schoolboys again.

Last week of term and the agony of Sovereign’s Banner Parade. This must have been a proud moment for the Final Term, and I could only stand at the Present, arms protesting, and long for the moment that I would be in their place. After the parade, the Steeplechase – a tiring hilly run and chilly swim through the Wishstream – brought the term to a graceful close. Amidst a flurry of kit packing, we prepared for the recess and Adventure Training.