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05 Oct
08 -
AWSA
NORDIC RULE BOOK
The
draft 2009 AWSA Nordic Rule Book has been published. There are few
Biathlon changes but some important changes concerning female
qualification; the "Novice" Rule and the composition of the Patrol
Race.
More |
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05 Oct
08 -
NEWS BLACKOUT - AN APOLOGY!
Some
readers of this site will be aware that quite bit of activity in
GBR and International Biathlon has taken place in the 6 weeks
since our last update! We are sorry not to record this, but quite
a bit of activity has also been taking place for the webmaster!
It
is our intention to have a large update on the web by the end of
this week. |
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23 Aug
08
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BARRY
("HOPPY") HOPKINS
It is with
deep regret that we announce the death of Barry ("Hoppy")
Hopkins on Friday 22nd August 2008.
Hoppy had an
extraordinary career in the Australian Armed Forces and
served as a Biathlon Coach to the Army, Air Force and
Australian Biathlon Association. However it is as a long
term supporter of British Biathlon that he was best known to
the UK and British Army Biathlon Family.
 For over a
decade he, and partner Tina Willmett, were regular attendees
at the British Championships where he spent many long cold
hours spotting on the range and photographing countless
hundreds of athletes. For many years he was an assistant
coach at the East Grange Biathlon Centre for the autumn
courses, and also at the Infantry Championships in Norway.
He made many friends in the British Championship venues of
Ruhpolding and Obertilliach.
His
enthusiasm for Biathlon and the support he gave to young
biathletes was matched only by his generosity and legendary
gifts of the best Australian reds and was as
infectious as the courage he showed fighting a long battle
with leukaemia. We extend our profound condolences to his
family and friends in the military and sporting worlds and
to Tina.
Hoppy, we will
all miss you; you were a true friend and "Coach to the Guns".
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23 Aug
08 -
MARTINA GLAGOW MARRIES
Our
favourite German Biathlete, Martina GLAGOW - daughter of GBR Wax
Technician Martin - was married on 26 July and is now Martina
BECK. We wish her and Günther as much success in married life as
she has enjoyed in her Biathlon life.
Full Story |
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18 Aug
08 -
BRITISH CHAMPS PROGRAMME
Just
over 5 months until the first race of the 2009 British
Championships on Sat 24 Jan! The programme has now been issued,
with only the date of the BBU AGM to be confirmed. Please remember
that both Biathlon (first week) and Cross Country (second week)
will be held in Obertilliach AUT, which is not the easiest place
to get to!
British Champs (Ex Rucksack)2009 Programme |
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18 Aug
08 -
PROVISIONAL WORLD CUP PROGRAMME 2008 - 09
The
second edition of the 2008 - 09 World Cup programme has been
released by the IBU. Changes from earlier versions are shown in
red. Please note all times are Central European Time (CET),
which is one hour ahead of GMT.
World Cup & World
Champs Programme
(We
do not have a detailed IBU Cup programme yet - see outline
programme below (as at 27 May 08). |
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18 Aug
08 -
WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS WEB SITE GOES LIVE
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The first ever Biathlon World Championships to be held in Asia
take place in Pyeongchang (Korea) from 14 - 22 Feb 09.
The official website has now opened - click the logo!
Although we would be delighted to welcome as many British
supporters as possible, we regret that we are unable to book
flights or arrange accommodation. it should be a memorable ten
days and well worth the visit. Pyeongchang lies in the north
of South Korea, very close to the Border with Communist North
Korea. Excursions to the DMZ and visits to some of the tunnels
will be amongst the highlights when there is no racing. To
meet European TV requirements all races, bar one, will in fact
be floodlit.
Currently the best value fares are with Finnair via Helsinki,
but both BA and Korean fly direct from London.
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08 Aug
08 -
GOOD LUCK TO TEAM GB
As is
customary, the BBU has sent a good luck message to all the
Athletes and Support Staff from Team GB on the opening of the XXIX
Olympic Games in Beijing. We have been told it shares a notice
board with similar messages from The Queen and Prime Minister! |
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03 Aug
08 -
TEAM RACES AT SKANDIA COWES WEEK
Athletes Simon ALLANSON, Rob CHUDLEY, Marcel LAPONDER, Amanda
LIGHTFOOT and coaches Walter PICHLER and Jason SKLENAR together
with their wives, sailed in blustery conditions today in the final
Skandia Cowes Week. A great time was had by all, and many thanks
go to Skandia for making it all happen. |
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18 Jul
08 -
DRUGS CHEAT BANNED FROM BEIJING
After a day in the High Court, the British Olympic Association's
life-time ban on convicted drugs cheats was upheld in the case of
sprinter Dwain Chambers (who received a 2 year ban in 2004 after
taking 7 different drugs).
The immediate past and current Presidents of the BBU made
statements, which are completely backed by the Board and athletes
of the BBU.
Comment by Lord Colin Moynihan, Chairman BOA & Past President BBU
"We are respectful of the Court’s decision in all aspects. The
British Olympic Association (BOA) has rules which are not only
recognised and understood by all Olympic athletes, but our Bye-law
has been in place for 16 years at their request and for their
benefit.
I have to say that it is a matter of regret that Dwain Chambers –
an athlete with such undoubted talent, a winner of the European
Youth Olympic Festival 100m as a young man - should by his own
actions have put himself out of the running to shine on the
Olympic stage in Beijing.
However, on behalf of the athletes the BOA will continue to send a
powerful and important message that nobody found guilty of serious
drug cheating offences should have the honour of wearing a Team GB
vest at the Olympic Games.
The Court’s decision allows us now to focus on and support those
athletes who will be travelling to the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Games to represent Team GB in just 21 days time. We must now
focus on their interests."
Comment by Colin Jackson CBE, former World Champion 110m hurdles
and World record holder & President BBU
"I'm really happy Dwain has lost his appeal . This is more about a
principle than anything else and the decision has sent out a clear
message that we are not going to accept people in our team who
have committed offences such as this. Dwain, get on with your
life, whatever that might be - we don't want you in our team."
The BBU fully supports and enforces the strict anti-doping
policies of UK Sport, the BOA and the IBU, and will be publishing
and implementing the 2009 WADA Anti-Doping Code in due course. |
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17 Jul
08 -
SKANDIA STRATEGY DAY
The Board and some athletes attended a most enlightening
Strategy Day last week in Southampton. Hosted by Skandia and
superbly run by David Pearl and Denis Burke from David Pearl
Associates one of the main aims was to develop a "Vision to
2018"; before then we just have the small matter of
Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Incidentally, Munich is, so
far, the only declared candidate for 2018.
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17 Jul
08 -
ATHLETE PROMOTIONS
Congratulations to Simon ALLANSON & Kevin KANE in getting their
promotion to Bombardier and to Pete BEYER who gained his first
stripe and is now a Lance Corporal. |
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17 Jul
08 -
BBU BABY BOOM
CONGRATULATIONS to athlete Paul WHIBLEY & Sarah on the recent
birth of Kai Daniel and also to the manager Liz WINFIELD & Chris
on the birth of Olivia. |
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17 Jul
08 -
NICKY
ARRIVED
Nicola WALKER has now raised
£ 13,900
+ a further £ 1500 earmarked for the Erskine Homes.
Persistent knee pain over the last
3 days became so acute after 40 miles on Day 6 that Nicky was
forced to accept a lift from backup man Bill Laurence. Due to
this Nicky was further forced to have a rest day as the pain in
her knee could results in permanent damage. The Ride was
continued by Nicky's support riders.
She arrived in Nice after giving
her knee some rest, ready to do the Ironman a few days later.
Nicky started the Ironman and completed the swim without getting
stung by jelly fish in 1 hour 25 mins. She then started the bike
stage where she had to travel 145km, unfortunately she only made
115km and was forced to pull out as she had missed the cut-off
time check and had to hand her race bib in.
We,
the BBU and all our supporters would like to give a great big
thanks to Nicky in her enormous efforts in riding the massive
distance to Nice and giving the Ironman a shot. We hope to see
you out in Obertilliach this winter season for the British
Championships.
There is still time to
donate! |
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05 Jun 08
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NORWEGIAN TV LEGEND DIES
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Norwegian state broadcasting star TV commentator Kjell
Kristian Rike (63) died suddenly from cancer on 19 May after a
short illness. Although he was associated with many
winter, and other sports, it was his work as a Biathlon
commentator that was largely instrumental in raising the
popularity of the sport on TV throughout Europe. He was well
known throughout the Biathlon circuit by media, spectators and
athletes alike. |
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05 Jun
08 -
WORLD XC CHAMPIONSHIPS & OLYMPIC VENUES
Although the IBU will not vote on the choice of venue for the
2012 & 2013 Biathlon World Championships until 06 Sep 08 at the
Congress in Prague, the FIS Congress in Cape Town last week voted
Val di Femme ITA as their choice for the 2013 World Cross
Country Championships. Of more interest to some of our younger
biathletes and Cross Country athletes was the selection of
Chamonix/Pras de Lys FRA to host the 2009 World Junior Cross
Country Championships.
In
Athens last week the IOC selected four "Candidature Cities" to
host the 2016 Olympic Games:
Chicago USA, Tokyo JPN, Rio de Janeiro BRA,
and Madrid SPA.
Election for the host city will be in October 2009. One year
later the host of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games will be elected
although the candidature process does not begin until summer 2009.
However, it is no secret that Munich GER hopes to become
the first city to host both summer and winter Games. Their venue
for biathlon is not yet known! |
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03 Jun
08 -
NICE TO GO ... NICKY'S GOING TO NICE
Less than a week until Nicola WALKER starts her great cycle ride
from London to Nice, followed by the Ironman Triathlon. So far she
has raised
£ 8539
in sponsorship for three great causes:
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Erskine Homes
(caring for Ex
Servicemen and women - every bit as important today as it was on
foundation in 1916)
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Disability Snowsport UK (the skiers and snowboarders
charity)
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British Biathlon Team
(that is why you are on this website!)
In addition an extra
£ 1000 has been earmarked for the Erskine Homes.
BUT ...
if
every member of the BBU Facebook or our Emailing list was to
contribute just £ 20, that would bring in another £ 6000 - shared
between the 3 great causes! Check out Nicky's
donation page
(and Gift Aid, if you can)
As a reminder there will be up-to-date route map on
www.nice-tri-nicky.co.uk
and a blog page that Nicky is going
to update every day after the days cycle ride. Moreover, Minty
from Eastenders has undertaken to drive the support bus - Minty?
Well, actually it's Bill Laurence from the BBU in one of his
various guises. |
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03 Jun
08 -
DEVELOPMENT TENDER 2009-10
In
accordance with a decision taken at the 63rd Board Meeting of the
BBU held on 28 Jan 08 and announced the same day at the 11th AGM
of the BBU held in Obertilliach, the Board of the BBU invites
applications from any individual or organisation who wish to
tender for BBU Development Training for the summer 2009 & 2010.
Normally the BBU annually trains approx 20 athletes, mainly novice
and junior, and mainly male, for a 6 week period during the spring
and early summer. The best students are then offered continuation
training during the late summer and autumn. Applicants should be
able to provide (or cost alternatives):
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Biathlon roller ski and range facilities;
classrooms and fitness training facilities; accommodation;
local transport; recreational facilities; weapon &
ammunition provision & storage; European firearm
certification; a reporting chain to the the BBU and the
Military Units or Civilian Clubs of the athletes.
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The
training may be conducted in the UK and / or abroad. Any
individual or organisation wishing to receive the full tender
document should apply to the
Sec Gen BBU by 01
Jul 08. The Board welcomes applications from UK and foreign,
civilian and military individuals or organisations. Radical
proposals are welcome.
Tender
Documents will be sent out by 01 Aug 08 for return by 01 Sep 08,
after which the Board of the BBU will contract the successful
applicant by 01 Oct 08. |
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03 Jun
08 -
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009
The AWSA has decided that the 2009 British National, Inter Service
and Army Biathlon & Cross Country Championships will be held in
Obertilliach AUT. Biathlon is provisionally scheduled for 24 - 29
Jan 09; Cross Country 31 Jan - 03 Feb 09 and the Military Patrol
Race on 05 Feb 09. The Championships are organised on behalf of
the BBU and SSGB by the Army Winter Sports Association. |
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27 May
08 -
WORLD
& IBU CUP SCHEDULE 2008-09
This
is provisional. We advise that you do not book any flights
etc until the IBU and European Broadcasting Union confirm the
schedule - hopefully in the next few days! However it is safe to
say that WC 4,5 and 6 will not move! The IBU Cup replaces the
European Cup.
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WC 1 |
Östersund/ SWE |
03.12.- 07.12.2008 |
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WC 2 |
Hochfilzen/AUT |
11.12.- 14.12.2008 |
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WC 3 |
Pokljuka/SLO |
18.12.- 21.12.2008 |
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WC 4 |
Oberhof/GER |
08.01.- 11-01.2009 |
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WC 5 |
Ruhpolding/GER |
14.01.- 18.01.2009 |
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WC 6 |
Antholz/ITA |
22.01.- 25.01.2009 |
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Y/JWCH |
Canmore/CAN |
26.01.- 03.02.2009 |
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WCH |
Pyeong Chang/ KOR |
12.02. – 22.02.2009 |
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OECH |
Ufa/ RUS |
24.02. – 03.03.2009 |
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WC 7 |
Vancouver/ CAN |
12.03.- 15.03.2009 |
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WC 8 |
Trondheim/NOR |
19.03.- 22.03.2009 |
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WC 9 |
Khanty Mansyisk/RUS |
25.03. – 29.03.2009 |
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IBU Cup 1 |
Idre / SWE
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28.11. – 30.11.2008 |
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IBU Cup 2 |
Obertilliach/ AUT |
12.12. – 14.12.2008 |
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IBU Cup 3 |
Martell/ ITA |
18.12. – 20.12.2008 |
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IBU Cup 4 |
Altenberg / GER |
09.1. – 11.01.2009 |
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IBU Cup 5 |
Nove Mesto / CZE |
15.1. – 17.01.2009 |
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IBU Cup 6 |
Brezno/ SVK |
06.02. – 08.02.2009 |
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IBU Cup 7 |
Bansko/ BUL |
12.02.-
14.02.2009 |
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OECH |
Ufa/ RUS |
26.02.- 05.03.2009 |
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IBU Cup 8 |
Ridnaun/ ITA |
10.03. –15.03.2009 |
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27 May
08 -
GBR
SQUAD NEWS
The
first training camp in Ruhpolding has ended and the athletes are
now all at the Olympic Medical Institute (Northwick Park, Harrow)
for a week of testing under the supervision of the OMI's Stewart
Laing.
After a surprise 3000m race at the Ruhpolding athletics stadium on
the opening morning which was won by Pete BEYER (men) and Alanda
SCOTT (women), training under new Head Coach Walter PICHLER began
in earnest. So earnest in fact that Simon ALLANSON broke his wrist
when he forgot that the brakes on a German mountain bike are the
reverse of a British one! He is recovering.
From the list published below (01 Mar) Steve HILL and Shane CLASH
have left the squad, whilst Mark SCHROEDER did not join. So now we
are 15. |
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27 May
08 -
CHANGES AT THE IBU
IBU
Secretary General Michael Geistlinger left his post on 30 Apr 08.
A tersely worded statement on the IBU website on 28 Apr reported:
The Executive
Board of the International Biathlon Union has decided to conclude
with immediate effect as of 30th of April 2008 the cooperation
with IBU Secretary General Michael GEISTLINGER due to differences
of opionion concerning the future federation strategy. Nicole
RESCH will assume temporary office management in the interim
period until a successor has been appointed.
It
is understood that former Sec Gen Peter Beyer, together with
Nicole Resch will be responsible for the organisation of the
Congress, to be held in Prague on 04 - 07 Sep 08. After this Peter
will finally retire, as will his wife Paula who is the Office
Assistant. Sarah Fussek who has been responsible for ADAMS and
WADA procedures leaves at the end of June to become PA to the Sec
Gen of FIS. |
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17 May
08 -
FACEBOOK GROUP
We
have now over 120 members on our Facebook Group, please all
keep joining and giving your support. |
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10 Apr
08 -
OUR OWN FACEBOOK GROUP
This
is for all you facebook addicts! We have made an Official
British Biathlon Facebook Group for you to all upload all your
own Biathlon photo's & videos. You can post virtually
anything on the discussion
board; about how you think we should be getting more sponsorship
or have any fund raising ideas etc.
Click here for the link to the group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8001841717 |
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01 Mar 08 -
SELECTION FOR SUMMER TRAINING
The
following athletes are congratulated on their selection to train
in Ruhpolding from Mon 28 Apr 08.
Full Admin details and notification to Regiments will follow
in a few days - however any athlete who believes they can not
report on that date is to inform asap both EC Coach Marc
Walker at EC 7 or 8, and the BBU Sec Gen by
Email / phone (0044
7834 499830).
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LBdr Simon ALLANSON |
40
Regt RA |
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Spr Pete BEYER |
28
Engr Regt |
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LBdr Rob CHUDLEY |
3
RHA |
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Bdr Shane CLASH |
12
Regt RA |
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LBdr Stephen HILL |
3
RHA |
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LCpl Lee JACKSON |
2
Yorks |
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LBdr Kevin KANE |
40
Regt RA |
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LCpl Dave
LAMB |
1 LSR RLC |
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LCpl Marcel LAPONDER |
35
Engr Regt |
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LCpl John
NEWSOME |
1 LSR RLC |
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Pte Andy McCANN |
1
LSR RLC |
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Spr Mark SCHROEDER |
28
Engr Regt |
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LCpl Paul WHIBLEY |
28
Engr Regt |
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Sgt Emma FOWLER |
1
LSR RLC |
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LCpl Amanda LIGHTFOOT |
AGC Ladies |
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Olwen THORN |
Huntly NSC |
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Lt
Alanda SCOTT |
28
Engr Regt |
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Cpl Adele WALKER |
29
Regt RLC |
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