Archie David rallies support for Household Cavalry Operational Casualty Fund
This year, Guards Polo Club’s leading eight-goal competition – the Archie David Cup – is raising funds for the Household Cavalry’s Operational Casualty Fund (HCOCF). Martin Young, the sponsor of the tournament and a former member of the Household Cavalry himself, has agreed that Archie David Cup Finals Day on Sunday 27 June will be a tribute to the members of the Household Cavalry who have been wounded in Afghanistan. This day will also highlight the work of the HCOCF as a number of casualties and Household Cavalrymen, along with their families, will attend the polo. These special guests will include Lance Corporal Martyn Compton, the only survivor of a Taliban ambush on his Spartan reconnaissance vehicle in 2006, who is still recovering from his extensive injuries.
The Household Cavalry, made up of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals, celebrate its 350th anniversary this year. The Cavalrymen have just returned from Helmand Province, Afghanistan, after a six-month tour of duty in which they sustained a high proportion of casualties, in addition to those suffered on previous tours. HCOCF helps provide financial support to those injured soldiers and their families, including families of those who have lost their lives on active service. The Fund, which was launched in May 2010, aims to raise £1.5m by October 2011. The committee, headed up by retired Captain Alistair Galloway, will restart campaigning again in April 2013 to raise a further £1.5m.
Looking at the action on the field, the polo will feature a thrilling final between the AFB and Asprey/Equibuild. The main final will be played at 3pm, but the first game of the day takes to the field at 11am. This is for the Claude Pert Cup, which will feature Clarita vsTasham Polo/Mei Kwei Leu. The Archie David Cup Final is followed at 4.15pm by the subsidiary final, for the Caterham Cup, between Shalimar and Puesto Viejo