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Our Man in Basra
W.Bro M Caseman-Jones PPrGStwd PM and Sec Waynflete Lodge A full time serving Police Officer and Major in the T.A., W Bro. Mike Caseman-Jones was called upon to do his duty for us in Basra. His term of duty started in late May and as we go to print he is still out there. He is however not alone, seen here with Bro. John Dyer of the Pegasus Forces Lodge. Mike has written a diary of his visit to Iraq, which makes very interesting reading, please take time to catch up on his exploits
W.Bro Mike Caseman-Jones PPrGStwd (PM 4452) and Bro John Dyer (Pegasus Forces Lodge)
After 23 years of service in the Army two former recruits from the RMP training centre were re united whilst undergoing mobilised service in Iraq. Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire’s W.Bro Mike Caseman-Jones, PM and secretary of Waynflete Lodge 4452 met up with Bro John Dyer of the Pegasus Forces Lodge, meeting at Aldershot Hants and IOW.
Mike and John first met in the early part of 1983 as young recruits in training at the RMPTC in Chichester, W.Sussex. The two passed out of training and went their separate ways, only to meet up briefly whilst serving together as TA soldiers during the early 1990’s. TA wise, whilst John remained with RMP, Mike branched out through the Infantry finally ending up with the RLC, currently serving as Squadron Commander at Grantham.
Both brethren also followed suit with their civilian careers as serving Police officers, with John in Surrey Police as an area trainer, and Mike serving with Northamptonshire Police working at the Force Headquarters in Northampton.
Both men became freemasons and are as active in their respective Lodges, as they are in their TA and civilian careers, although John is currently working his way to the WM’s chair. Both brethren agree that this is an ideal opportunity to develop their military and managerial skills, with some opportunity of getting stuck in to the ritual book whilst time and circumstance permit.
Mike and John are currently serving on Op Telic 8 in Basra as part of the Security Sector Reform branch, where Mike has a Divisional Staff appointment, and John is directly involved in the Permanent Reconstruction Team (PRT) as the team leader for the rule of law project.
Mike is due home at the end of August however John, currently serving his third tour in Iraq, has asked for an extension, and is due back in the UK by the end of November 06.
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