Craftsman Magazine - December 2021

THE CRAFTSMAN

Magazine of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

December 2021

Corps Formation: 1 October 1942 Corps Motto: Arte et Marte Corps Patron Saint: St Eligius (Celebrated 1st Sunday in December)

Editor: SSgt Andy Chammings + Corporate Communications Officer RHQ REME, The Prince Philip Barracks, Lyneham, CHIPPENHAM, SN15 4XX  craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk (preferred method)  subscriptions@reme-rhq.org.uk (for changes of address) ( Mil: 95481 4529 Civ: 01249 894529

Contents DECEMBER 2021

Volume 77 No. 12

FEATURES Col REME End of Year Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Global Reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

SUBMITTING ARTICLES TEXT: should be submitted in MS Word and name saved as per the article. No formatting, columns, power point etc. Articles to be cleared by CO/OC/EME or appropriate REME CoC, or nominated substitute and should be submitted as soon as possible.

PHOTOGRAPHS: MUST be submitted separately, in jpeg format and be at least 500kb preferably 1mb or more. Only photos over 3mb can be considered for the front/back covers and please remember captions.

FILESHARE: websites, such as dropbox are ideal for submitting larger files.

EMAIL: The ONLY email address which should be used is: craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk. Not MODnet.

Please use the article title not ‘Craftsman Article’ as the email title.

TIMINGS: The latest submission date is the first day of the month prior to publication. This does not guarantee the article will be published in that specific edition.

Engineering Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Births, Engagements, Marriages and Deaths: These will be inserted free to all past and present members of the Corps.

We are Back, Bristol REME Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Contents: The contents of The Craftsman are strictly copyright and all rights are expressly reserved. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Editor, the Corps or the MOD, therefore no responsibility for these will be accepted. Whilst including an advertisement we are not necessarily endorsing the product and as a result, the publisher and its agents do not accept responsibility for any transaction between the reader and the advertiser.

Whilst we take all precautions with regard to advertising, readers are advised to take professional advice before entering into any commitments.

Letters concerning reproduction, contributions or any other matter should be addressed to the Editor.

Art Avionics 17 50th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Ex OMAN DWELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Corps History WW2 Commandos from REME Ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Op MAKARA 2B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Remembering Our Dad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Cateran Yomp 2021 3rd Bn The Rifles LAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Operating within the Information Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Lifting the Decks 1 Royal Welsh LAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Crossing the Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Ex NORTHERN CRAFTSMAN 6 Regt RLC LAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 REME Sports Symposium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 REME Wakeboarding and Water-Skiing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 REME Corps Cricket Season 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 REME Arms School 2* Commendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 From the Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

REGULARS Guest Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Global Reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Year in the Life - 3 Cdo Bde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 REME Sporting Fixtures 2021/22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 From the Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Corps Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Corps Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

© Published by RHQ REME. Funded by The REME Charity. www.remecharity.org.

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Sustainably produced on paper sourced from responsible sources using vegetable based inks.

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Front cover: Sgt Paul Adams (5 FS Bn REME) paying his respects on Remembrance Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Steve Swain Photography .

Colonel REME End of Year Message Scribe: Colonel Jason Phillips ADC REME

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s 2021 draws to a close, I sense this year has proved to be another demanding and difficult one for many. COVID has impacted on our daily lives for far longer than we perhaps imagined and certainly hoped, and for some members of the Corps family it has been deeply affecting. We were all also greatly saddened by the passing of our Colonel in Chief, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. And most recently, watching the turbulent events unfold at pace in Afghanistan in July and August.

Yet throughout this difficult period, we can be immensely proud of the stoicism, commitment and performance of our people. REME people at the front of 101 and 102 Logistic Brigades delivering vaccines to the nation, the REME contingent led by our Master General alongside our Colonel in Chief at his funeral, REME soldiers using their engineering skills on Op PITTING to provide vehicles to support the repatriation of Afghans to the UK. And there is much more of course, including REME support to Whole Town Testing and other MACA tasks throughout the year and the Public Duties Reinforcement Company shining on parade at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace this autumn.

All of this goes to show the incredible agility and talent of all of our people; rising to the challenge as always.

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Thank you and congratulations.

Next year will contain challenges too of course, including the start of our Future Soldier work to transform the Army for the digital age and the pursuit of the REME Skills Review to ensure we keep pace with that change.

But that’s for next year… Until then may I take this opportunity to wish all members of the REME family – Veterans and serving; Regular, Reserve as well as those amazing Civil Servants that support us and your families – a very happy upcoming festive period and a prosperous New Year. Rest well and look after one another always.

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Guest Editorial

Colonel Nick Doyle CEng FIMechE Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Equipment, Field Army Headquarters

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s DACOS Equipment I have found myself in the centre of the greatest structural change the Fd Army has seen in a decade as the Integrated Review (IR) realigns Defence aspirations while the Army Operating Model (AOM) rebalances the Headquarters to support its delivery. Much has been done and there remains much to do, but I believe these changes genuinely present opportunities for the Corps as we look to the future.

The Army Operating Model The AOM has not only changed our structure but also the way we operate, providing greater coherence, clarity of command and influence. In Sep 20, Phase One saw the Fd Army’s Operational Support department divide into its CSS functions. This merged the equipment-facing elements of the Land Operations Command with that of the Fd Army, forming a single pillar under DACOS Equipment (me) working alongside DACOS Log, Med and Pers.

Phase two, in Sep 21, has seen the Fd Army re-enforced by the Equipment Through Life Support team from Army Headquarters to form the Fd Army Equipment Team under the newly appointed ACOS Equipment, Brigadier Phil Prosser CBE; a single point of contact for all Fd Army equipment. It also aligns responsibility for demand and supply, improves situational awareness and communication, and provides a direct link into the Project Teams of DE&S. Wider coherence across the CSS functions is provided from the newly established DCOS Fd Army, Maj Gen Neil Thorpe CBE, who now sits next to COS Fd Army, providing us with a 2* equipment (and Corps) champion into CFA. Col Doyle

Operations

Our Corps’ primary purpose remains delivering ‘success on operations’ and I can confirm that our stock remains very high across the Fd Army. While our routine operational commitments of Op CABRIT and Op SHADER remain, they are joined by the deployment of Op NEWCOMBE, the UK’s contribution to the UN mission to deliver integrated stabilisation in Mali. Deploying a Long Range Reconnaissance Group capable of operating across Mali, at reach, for prolonged periods of time has presented a number of ES challenges which the deployed LAD continue to successfully manage with support from the wider ES community.

Our withdrawal from Afghanistan showcased the diversity of our soldiers. The small element who deployed with 2 PARA on Op PITTING proved their Soldier-Trade credentials, operating in JACKAL repair on Op NEWCOMBE in Mali

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unfamiliar territory (professionally not physically) to enable success. Falling back on engineering principles, experience, and training, they displayed professionalism and versatility conducting a variety of tasks including repair and operation of civilian equipment, destroying foreign weapons and providing security to the local population, all within a hostile, stressful and at times emotional environment.

Land Regional Hubs – The Army’s New Posture The IR directed Defence to deliver Strategic Hubs to provide reach, access, influence, and insight across the globe. The Army’s contribution is the development of Land Regional Hubs in Oman, Brunei, Belize, Kenya and Germany, expanding the primary focus from training to broader Defence operational outputs, wider UK influence and prosperity objectives. I have little doubt that this concept will provide exciting and relevant opportunities to our soldiers to gain experience.

Each of the hubs will operate in a different manner and at varying scale, however, common themes centre around maintaining regional situational awareness and coordinating activity to maximise the effect on our adversaries and allies. A summary of the direction each hub is going can be seen below: Germany. The Army is enhancing Sennelager as a Forward Holding Base, providing a training, storage and scalable C2 node, united under a single command (Comd NFS). It will ensure that armoured FEs can achieve speed of relevance in Europe, reinforcing our NATO commitment and setting the conditions for achieving the headmark of deploying the NATO Readiness Initiative (NRI) Bde in 2024. As a Corps we will continue to support this increase in activity in Germany alongside the development of an organic ES capability. This presents opportunities for the more experienced of us to return to Germany and, perhaps more importantly, for junior member of the Corps to understand what serving in Germany represented.

While much of the equipment to enable this concept has come from BATUS, there remains an enduring training footprint in Canada, albeit on a reduced scale.

Kenya. BATUK will continue to deliver world class collective training to UK forces. Concurrently it will widen its outputs to enable Land Component and Joint activity. Utilising and enhancing its network of relationships, it will provide coherence to activity through dedicated C2. In addition to Ex ASKARI STORMs, additional regional engagement will present greater opportunities for our soldiers.

Oman. Training activity has been increased in 2021 providing early substance to the Defence Strategic Hubs concept. Options to deliver Persistent Engagement are being developed and are likely to centre around delivery 2 x 4-month Unit dwells per year presenting excellent training opportunities.

Belize. The current footprint in Belize will be developed into a permanent Land Regional Hub that will increase understanding of hostile state activity in the region, support ongoing environmental training, project Land capability into Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), and act as a possible staging point for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the region.

While this hub is still being refined, greater roles for the Corps are anticipated.

Brunei. We also look to strengthen our Close Tropical Environment capabilities and reinforce our relationship with Brunei and other regional partners. Options increased activity including STTTs, HADR and the expansion of the forward network through engagement opportunities are being scoped and developed.

As the Army resets its posture to ensure Global reach, one thing remains certain, that where equipment goes, so do REME soldiers. The concept of Land Regional Hubs, in addition to operations and enduring training activity, presents an exciting opportunity for our soldiers to travel and experience operating oversees.

Land Regional Hubs Overview

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Year in the life

Supporting 3 Commando Brigade during the COVID-19 pandemic OC: Maj J Sewell REME. 2IC: Capt B Carter REME

ES Squadron, Commando Logistic Regiment Scribe: Capt Carter

C

HYDRA, this time practising CQB, fort assaults and helicopter extractions. Traditionally heavily involved in Norway, this year the Sqn provided RLS before and after Christmas for Ex AQUILA 21 and exercising troops. Finally, the Brigade validation of the LTG was achieved in May with Ex GREEN DRAGON, proceeded by training exercises of GREEN GECKO and GREEN LIZARD. These series of experimental exercises were the first time the CSS Troops were formed and refined as part of the FCF construct.

ommando Logistic Regiment (CLR) Royal Marines (RM) Equipment Support Squadron (ES Sqn) provides Level 3 Equipment Support and Level 2 reinforcement to Units within 3 Commando Brigade. The Sqn is held at R2 as part of the Lead Commando Group (LCG). This year has been an extremely busy one, not just with the complexity of being at R2 during the COVID-19 pandemic but also the transition of 3 Cdo X to a Future Commando Force (FCF).

Though the majority of ES ranks are Royal Marines, there are opportunities for REME personnel with currently 12 serving in the Sqn. Throughout May 20 to Jul 21 the Sqn has deployed on many exercises and deployments. The first, Ex GREEN HYDRA in May 20 was a testing 2week CT1 and MATTs package in Sennybridge. The requirement for CLR to remain at R2 meant that the Sqn was able to train during this uncertain period. The ES Sqn also deployed as part of the Logistic Task Group on Ex DOCTRINE DRAGON; a small-scale exercise testing the unit’s readiness. There was also plenty of activity in barracks too, with VMs tasked to repair BFAs on standby for Op RESCRIPT, Tels Techs using our state-of-the art 3D printing facilities to print face visors for NHS workers.

In September the Sqn were exercising again on Ex COMMANDO Dry Firing CQB training

End Ex

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CQB simulation training

the driving force behind the new equipment being procured and the courses we are trialling. Advanced Battle Damage Repair courses will mitigate our ES Mat burden, modular and interoperable tooling across CEGs has force multiplied the effect of our FRTs, the use of MODNET enabled iPads in the hands of Class 1’s has streamlined processes and improved situational awareness from the most junior level. The role of an Artificer in a CSS Tp offers distinctive experiences and encounters. As the ES IC (and 2IC to the Tp Comd) for this strategic asset working at reach, and potentially in isolation, the breadth of involvement and effect you can have in the planning and execution is unique to this role. For budding (and current) Artificers who have a desire to work with Commando Forces and be part of this special environment, I wholly recommend CLR as a posting.

TROOP COMMAND EXPERIENCES – LT HARPER & PATEL Lt Harper, V&G Troop Commander

Quad bike under repair, using a wiring diagram on a ModNet tablet

ARTIFICER PERSPECTIVE – SSGT CROWE I have the honour of holding the role of Artificer for the Bde’s Forward Repair Group (FRG); a task historically filled by a Royal Marine VM. Typically operating out of BV 206 FRTs and SVRs, the 26 pax strong Troop is aligned to support the Lead Commando Group (LCG) and is being heavily utilised for the newly formed CSS Troop.

With this change in employment model comes opportunity and development; the introduction and development of innovative methods to deliver ES, as well as the overseas deployments to test and refine concepts.

Concurrently, the FRG is tasked with the delivery of the Bde’s Viking Reduction Project; the requirement of regenerating 27 ATP(V) for submission into Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE). Although a sizeable challenge on paper, but theoretically achievable, this project has been the perfect way to build cohesion, establish a healthy battle rhythm, develop and progress trade classes and allow the Troop to aim towards a common goal. Numerous factors will prevent the project from being a full success, namely the depth and complexities of the issues with the vehicle, but also an initial lack of SQEP, the conflicting priorities presented whilst being held at ‘Very High Readiness’ and a crippling deficit of ES Mat. It has tested my resilience and may have been the source of a few ‘flashes’, but it has served as an incredible tool for both professional and personal development.

As we reconstruct and rebrand into the Commando Force, so too must we adapt as a Regt and Sqn. Fast and Agile, disaggregated by design; the underlining premise of how we will be employed as a force and as ES ranks. It is

Ex AQUILA 21 was not the usual annual deployment to Norway. As has been the case for everyone, COVID-19 played a major part in what CLR were able to do once deployed. Consequently, a smaller cohort than usual deployed to Bardufoss, Norway with the intent to complete Cold Weather Warfare / Survival courses (CWWC/CWSC) and other environment specific courses in order to facilitate the 2021/22 deployment to Norway.

Once deployed it was apparent that COVID-19 was going to dictate how much freedom deployed personnel could have. As soon as we departed the plane, we were subject to COVID testing, somewhat more thorough than in the UK, and put into rooms of between 4-6 people. Here we remained inside with food being delivered to us for the next 2 weeks. From there everyone was then exposed to the average -15°C temperature and allowed to start their CWWC/CWSCs and subsequent courses thereafter. The CWWC consists of 3 weeks; The first week is the survival week, acclimatising to sleeping in a 10-man tent, 4-man tent and then a survival night using the local area along with basic cross-country skiing. The second week consists of mobility training. This gets the Marines used to longer cross-country skiing with more weight and pulling pulks. It also introduces them to the tactics specific to the Cold Weather Environment (CWE). The final week of the CWWC is the tactical week.

This consists of large company moves, utilising the ground to their advantage and to be an effective fighting force in the CWE. Throughout the deployment we were in the eyes of the local media and were only allowed the freedom of leaving the camp nearing the end of the 3-month deployment. This restricted physical activity opportunities such as skiing and longer runs. However, an artic half marathon was organised with 52 of the finest 3CDO X has to offer partaking and was deemed a huge success with some impressive times being displayed.

Surviving on the CWWC!

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Lt Patel, FRG Troop Commander Being posted to the CLR was both daunting and exciting at the same time. Exciting to command Royal Marine Commandos but daunting to attempt the arduous All Arms Commando Course. To be eligible to start AACC you must complete an AACC Conditioning package (beat up) which runs for 4 weeks. This can be done either with CLR, 24 Cdo or 29 Cdo. The beat up brings you to the start state standard of the course which is to be able to climb a 30ft rope, complete a lap of bottom field in under 5 mins and a 200m fireman carry in under 90 secs. They also throw in a Royal Marines Basic Fitness Test (RMBFT) and Swim Test all in one day.

Once you pass these initial tests, you secure a position on the AACC which is now an 11-week course. Weeks 1-6 will see you on the infamous bottom field every morning, building to the bottom field pass off at the end of week 6 which is - being able to climb a 30ft rope, a lap of bottom field in under 5 mins, 200m fireman carry in under 90 secs, a full regain. All tests are completed carrying 21 lbs and a rifle. Amongst all of this, you deploy into the field to conduct basic navigation and section level tactics culminating with the week 5 nav test whilst in the field.

Failure to complete the nav in under 90 mins means removal from the course. At the start of week 7 you complete the 6 mile speed march signifying the start of the “Commando Phase”. This means you switch your head dress from beret to cap comforter and double everywhere. It also means the start of the Commando tests with test week being week 11. The 4 commando tests being: 1. Endurance Course 2. Tarzan Assault Course 3. 9 mile Speed March 4. 30 miler.

Test week starts a day after final exercise and ends with the 30 miler which is when you are presented your Green beret if successful in all of the tests.

AdM – CPL PARKES ES Sqn, CLR has been the lead in trialling the concept of Additive Manufacturing (AdM) for 3 Cdo Bde for the last 3 years. In the past 12 months the ES Sqn has made great progress with its ability to produce parts and has several prototypes awaiting stress testing from the Testing and Development Unit (TDU) to see if they can be used as spares or as a Battle Damage Repair (BDR) alternative.

ES Sqn has several AdM printers and the ability to print in a number of different materials. These range from Onyx to carbon fibre, Kevlar and heat resistant plastics. Having the scope to print in different materials has led to the department now producing parts for a range of platforms.

Over the last year the Squadron has seen large investment in new equipment and training for soldiers. In April last year we acquired a new high-powered workstation to run Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and an Artec Leo scanner. The Artec Leo Scanner gave us the ability to scan equipment in full and use the scanned model to design replacement parts.

Recently on Ex GREEN DRAGON, numerous opportunities arose to utilise the AdM capability. Notably in the manufacture of a Land Rover slave cylinder rod clip. During a night-time clutch change the clip went missing. The Tels Techs were able to design and print a new clip within 4 hours having only a basic AESP drawing as reference. A spare clip was not taken out as part of the spares Force Element

Land Rover slave cylinder rod clip on the left and the 3D printed replacement on the right 10 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

Blade protection made to prevent damage to the drone propellers Table (FET) that would normally be carried on ship. This showcased the vital role that AdM will play in future deployment in enabling fast production of parts and the ability to carry less spares out on the ground.

Alongside the AdM concept the ES Sqn has also been experimenting with Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) repair.

Members of the team identified some common faults coming into the workshop, notably snapped arms due to the drones crashing into objects then falling from the sky and breaking on impact with the ground. The solution from the Tels Techs was to produce covers for the propellers, which don’t hinder performance and prevent damage to the blades. The Prints have been successful in early testing and are currently awaiting Field trails by 40 Commando on Ex GREEN DAGGER (USA deployment) for final approval for their use.

To further aid to the RPAS capability, Tech Troop have printed cases for the phones used to pilot the drones. These cases can be mounted onto MOLLE straps and provide protection as well as rapid deployability of the piloting software.

Moving forward, the ES Sqn will continually look toward reducing the spares which are deployed on the ground. This will be done by testing new prototypes with the aim of creating a catalogue of parts that can be printed. The ES Sqn are also in the process of applying for funding for a CNC milling machine which can be used to produce parts out of metal. This will expand our capability, the range of materials available and is more deployable than any metal printer currently on the market.

Phone cases which can be attached to body armour via MOLLE straps for piloting RPAS

The importance of Professional Registration in the Armed Forces By incoming IET President, Air Marshal Sir Julian Young KBE CB FREng CEng FIET Professional Registration is increasingly important in the Armed Forces and plays a significant part in creating a competent and skilled work force across the UK. Qualifications and associated Continued Professional Development should help bridge the gap between military and civilian trades. Although simply being registered doesn’t guarantee ex-military engineers a job, it could level the playing field and get someone an interview.

After a 40-year career in the Royal Air Force (RAF), I’ve always supported people developing themselves further through additional qualifications. The route often is through distance learning, which is hard work in a busy job. However, when you’re dipping into academia and then back into the workplace, the first time you answer a question or write an essay, you are better in your role because you are instantly applying that new knowledge and thinking.

I led the team with the MOD and HM Treasury that helped the roll out of the Defence Engineer Registration Scheme (DERS) across different branches within the Armed Forces; the scheme demonstrates clear value in people. The streamlined application process is excellent, and the Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) that step forward and take on the work to translate military skills and experience into qualifications will benefit greatly from doing so. I’m proud to be a member of the IET, because when I started campaigning on professionalisation within the RAF some 15 years ago, it was the first PEI to offer a streamlined route to Chartered Engineer (CEng). The IET for me was the RAF’s PEI of choice. Anything that can help streamline both the route of people into a PEI and the payment of fees is a positive.

As well as the DERS agreements, the IET is working hard to implement Central Payment Schemes in the Armed Forces. Having been successful with the RAF, with over 1,000 members Professionally Registered, we should be looking to roll Central Payment Schemes out for the other Services as widely as we can, including more companies in industry that already have had a lot of success with it. The IET welcomes engineers and technicians from all backgrounds; if you care about engineering in any or multiple sectors, the IET can be your professional home and has a unique position to fill. We need to be engaging with seniors and Fellows in all engineering organisations to promote the value in their people being Professionally Registered.

I’m looking forward to my term as IET President (2021-2022) and follow in the successful steps of all past Presidents. My specific area of focus will be to champion technicians and seek to facilitate the continued growth in their membership. I believe the majority of the ‘missing 3 million’ mentioned in Professor Uff ’s 2017 review of our engineering profession are technicians. We need to understand better what technicians are, what it means to be a technician and then offer them more through membership of the IET.

Find out more about becoming professionally registered by attending our latest webinar: What you will learn: – Benefits of membership and professional registration – Professional registration categories and application process – Our guidance and support

Register here:

theiet.org/craftsman-magazine The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698).

The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY, United Kingdom.

Eat, sleep, engineer, repeat Julian’s President’s Address will be broadcast live on 14 October 2021 at 1pm BST

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Engineering Excellence

Churchill Medal Award Winners 2020 British Army Training Unit Suffield Workshop – Electronic Support Group

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n the challenging conditions of the Southern Alberta Prairies, Canada, a small team of highly skilled British Army technicians have been quietly pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence. They have solved problems that had been previously deemed unsolvable, found imaginative solutions to technical issues and, most importantly, delivered improved availability of critical equipment, significant manpower efficiencies and financial savings to Defence. They have enhanced the British Army’s state of readiness and its ability to protect the nation, exemplifying all that the Churchill Award represents.

The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) is home to one of the largest and most demanding live firing training facilities in the world, designed specifically to deliver complex Combined Arms Live Firing training to forces preparing for, or deploying on Operations.

The Electronic Support Group (ESG) forms part of BATUS Workshop and is responsible for the electronic Equipment Support of over 1200 vehicles and 2500 pieces of equipment deployed in Canada. ESG is formed of eight young but exceptionally talented technicians who are at the pinnacle of their trade abilities. Despite the relentless day to day requirement to provide technical support to units exercising in BATUS, they have found time to innovate, improve safety and drive efficiency. This exceptional team of dedicated engineers have found solutions to issues with in-service capabilities that had been deemed too complex or difficult for many years, even by the Design Authorities (DA). They have delivered three engineering solutions of particular significance which have genuinely improved the ability of the British Army to fight and win.

The TITAN and TROJAN (T2) Armoured Engineer vehicles form an important part of any Armoured Force, providing mobility and counter-mobility to the Force, enabling them to overcome obstacles

including minefields, gap crossing and other impassable terrain.

These battle winning pieces of equipment are used extensively within BATUS to deliver the highest level of combined arms manoeuvre training. A serious fault with the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) pannier cover has allowed the ingress of water into the T2 for eight years, with debris and dirt rendering them, at times, un-usable. No solution to this issue has ever been developed by the Design Authority (BAE Systems) or by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). The complex challenge was to prevent this ingress whilst maintaining the correct level of air flow, operating temperature and allowing the NBC system to function correctly. In just 4 months, Cpl Bloomfield of ESG had solved this issue. He has designed, assisted with the manufacture, and trialled a modified cover, testing it both statically and dynamically. Robust engineering embodiment testing confirmed he had eliminated the issue and fully restored the capability of this battle winning asset. This modification alone will save BATUS 250 man hours a year, and £200,000 of spares and materiel. Having been unable to resolve the issue themselves BAE Systems have taken it forward as a pan fleet modification, saving the British Army thousands of hours of inspection and repair as well as up to £1 Million in spares annually. More importantly this modification will deliver the correct level of NBC protection to soldiers, should they need it. 2 Not content with solving only one issue, Cpl Bloomfield and the ESG team have identified a unique way of simultaneously testing the 600 digital communication systems in BATUS. These systems had been tested individually against the platforms that the radios are fitted to since being introduced into service in 2004, consuming thousands of man hours in bringing together the platforms and vehicles. Testing more than one radio at a time had never previously been attempted because of the system’s sensitivity as they require the correct voltage and power from the parent platform to function correctly. The team used commonly available spares and resources to produce a test rig that can easily and efficiently test multiple radios simultaneously. During its recent use, the test rig saved 2000 man hours allowing several highly qualified technicians to focus on other priority tasks. When this saving is replicated across the Army’s fleet the man hour savings will be huge.

A major problem with the Army’s BOWMAN digital communication systems is the difficulty in fully testing their output before they deploy on to the training area. Every year, during initial use, several radio systems would be returned to camp for being incapable of fully transmitting within the prescribed area. Although the systems have a Built-In Members from ESG receiving their Churchill Medal Award from Air Marshal Sir Julian Young

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Test (BIT) these have proven to give erratic readings. In tackling this third issue Cpl Snape designed and procured the parts to build a test device capable of accurately confirming the transmitting power and acceptable Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of every radio prior to deployment. This was only possible because of his incredibly detailed understanding of the outputs of these radios, to a level surpassing that of any other tradesmen in the Army. ESG can now fully diagnose any BOWMAN radio system with transmission faults before it is given to the training audience, giving exercising troops the confidence to train safely without the delays resulting from faulty communication systems. Since its introduction the issue of faulty radios being returned on initiation has been eradicated.

Over the last 12 months ESG has driven forward engineering innovation at a level that far exceeds what would normally be expected of their ranks and experience. The collective efforts of this small team will save the MOD over £1 Million each year in ES materiel and manpower, and all of this has been achieved whilst at the same time delivering exceptional day to day electronic support. Colonel

Dan Scott CEng, FIMechE, MIET, the senior Engineer within the UK’s Armoured Fighting Division declared “the unique engineering solutions developed by REME technicians in the Electronic Support Group of BATUS Workshop have already delivered: exceptional influence on training; reduced engineering failures; financial savings and ultimately enhanced the British Army’s operational effectiveness in protecting the nation’s interests.” It is for all these reasons that the BATUS Workshop Electronic Support Group should be awarded the prestigious Churchill Medal.

Members of ESG: Warrant Officer Class 2 (AQMS) David Thomas Sergeant Graham Baker Sergeant Matthew Clayton Corporal Christopher Bloomfield Corporal Kate Bramley Corporal Steven Kendrick Corporal Isaac Royals Corporal Samuel Snape

Engineering Excellence

Churchill Medal Award Winners 2021 Captain Fionidi Parker (3 Battalion REME) and Captain Ian Taylor (6 Battalion REME)

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n extraordinary year has provided for an extraordinary nomination, but the contribution to the nation of two exceptional young engineers cannot be understated. Captain Fionidi Parker (3REME) and Captain Ian Taylor (6REME) are jointly nominated for the Churchill Medal.

There is no doubt that Captain Parker and Captain Taylor have improved the delivery of ‘operational’ engineering, demonstrating the competence and capability of the REME’s Junior Engineers. They have shown the best of Armed Forces Engineers and delivered positive impact across Government. They are an example of the engineering brilliance that the REME and Armed Forces is able to provide in protecting the nation.

Captain Parker and Captain Taylor receiving their Churchill Medal Award from Air Marshal Sir Julian Young.

At exceptionally short notice Captain Parker and Captain Taylor volunteered to undertake a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities task within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in support of the Nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Employed within the UK Government’s Test and Trace Programme, they have delivered a world leading rapidly deployable capability that supports UK Local Authority COVID-19 mass testing. In short, they delivered beyond DHSC’s expectations. Their engineering skill, unflinching dedication and ability to question and challenge unproven assumptions has enhanced the UK’s ability to conduct mobile COVID-19 sample processing from a deployable (trailer based) laboratory. To achieve this feat, they were required to integrate into Other Government Departments, work alongside a civilian engineering workforce and NHS institutes; they did so seamlessly. They communicated effectively with a mixture of individuals from a range of professional backgrounds: PHD professors; virologists; and industry partners, traversing potential commercial pitfalls with a confidence and professionalism that belied their experience.

Captain Parker and Captain Taylor were tasked to design and build a mobile processing laboratory prototype that delivered an organic sample processing capability for Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) to be used in COVID-19 outbreak response. In just 30 days, based out of the DHSC at 39 Victoria Street, London, but operating from the Blizard Institute at Bart’s Hospital and from a vehicle fabricator in Billericay, Essex, they designed and built a proven working COVID-19 mobile processing laboratory.

The prototype they have produced was described by the DHSC Director of Laboratories, Dame Anna Dominiczac, as the “best small laboratory she had ever seen”; a world leading scientist not given to false praise. Their technically outstanding engineering report will enable the DHSC to manufacture the COVID-19 mobile processing laboratory in their 10s and possibly 100s. An initial order for 50 was immediately placed with industry upon Captain Parker and Captain Taylor proving their concept.

Working together Captain Parker and Captain Taylor have delivered engineering of such exceptional quality that it has the potential to have a profound impact on the UKs ability to win the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic. What they have achieved in such a short timeframe has been nothing short of incredible. It will save lives.

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Overseas Exercise

Ex OMAN DWELL 21: UK-RAO STTT Overview (Capt Heron, 15 Fd Pl Comd)

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x OMAN DWELL was a Combat Service Support (CSS) Short Term Training Team (STTT) deployment delivering training to 230 Omani students across various locations in Northern Oman.

The environment consists of hot desert clustered with jagged mountains, presenting an austere challenge for operations in a realworld environment. Repair and logistic functions in this environment are stretched to the extreme, presenting a need for expertise from the British Army’s CSS elements to instruct the Royal Armed Forces of Oman (RAO) on how they can develop their practices.

On 6 September 2021, 20 instructors from 5 Force Support Battalion REME deployed for a month. This deployment was the first UK-Oman STTT since March 2020 and the first ever iteration of a CSS STTT in Oman. It was also the largest CSS STTT globally, covering 10 subjects across 5 different RAO camps over 3 weeks of instruction.

SSgt Chammings instructing engineering safety The RAO use platforms that the REME are privy to, such as Challenger 2 and CRARRV. Therefore, the expertise of the instructors on these platforms, coupled with early liaison and engagement with the RAO allowed the training teams to develop their courses based on specific requests from the host nation forces. Included subjects were: engineering safety, CR2 repair, recovery mechanics principles, B Fleet repair, electronic technician principles and technical stores specialist principles. The instruction also included two new subjects – additive manufacturing and project management; topics that have never been taught as part of an UK STTT delivering external training to other forces. Additionally, a Combat Estimate course was also delivered to 47 RAO Officers.

“Work hard, play hard” springs to mind when the instructors were able to find some time in a hectic schedule to undertake some Adventurous Training - diving with whale sharks and cultural visits historic local souks (markets), ancient forts and mountain peaks.

Vehicle Mechanic CR2 repair (LCpl Hayles VM Class 1) Lt Thorner instructs the Combat Estimate

We finally arrived in Oman in the early hours of Saturday 11th September after a long day travelling. On exiting the airport, we

Instructors ascend Jebel Sands

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were hit with hot, thick air and we knew it was going to be a hot one! The next day we were straight in to delivering a CR2 package to the RAO; we had a mixed group of VMs and Tech Elecs. Day one consisted of icebreakers and luckily for us some of them could speak pretty good English, which aided the course massively.

After getting to know them we could see they were very similar to the average British soldier, so across the course there were plenty of jokes and morale was high. They were very keen and interested in what we had to deliver, and keen to show us how they worked. They learnt from us and we learnt from them. Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to be able to get out and do something like this. Hot weather and a good time had by both parties.

Additive Manufacturing course (Lt Abbas, 1 Fd Pl Comd) The Additive Manufacturing course consisted of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing instruction, followed by student application of the knowledge. The culmination of the course saw a bespoke serial; tying all the lessons together with an end product of creating a 3D printed model of the CAD. The students had vastly different levels of previous experience, which created a positive dynamic whereby those with greater understanding were able to assist me as an instructor. The engagement was highly positive throughout and I got

Whale Shark hunters

Vehicle and Recovery Mechanic instructors do on the back of a deployment!

All in all, a fantastic deployment for its first iteration, paving the way for future successful CSS STTTs in Oman and around the globe.

Inshallah!

LCpl Taylor instructs MAN SV fault diagnosis

the impression that the RAO were very keen to expand their technical innovation, gearing a focus towards additive manufacturing.

Adventurous Training (LCpl Taylor VM Class 1) At the end of a busy three weeks of instructing across five RAO camps in Northern Oman, we were all lucky enough to be given the opportunity to undertake some snorkelling for Adventurous Training. We departed the marina on a small powerboat which took us 27 miles off the mainland of Oman to the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve. Here we witnessed some spectacular coral reefs which was home to an abundance of marine life including many large turtles. We also managed to swim with whale sharks which was a fantastic experience and something I would never had thought I would be able to

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Corps History

WW2 Commandos from REME Ranks Cfn Edward Holland No. 3 Commando

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ollowing the interest from the November 2020 edition of the Craftsman Magazine, I decided to continue my research on REME soldiers who became Army Commandos in WW2. It was at this point I was presented with a transcript from a recording of Ted ‘Dutch’ Holland REME; kindly donated by his Daughter Liz. At the age of 17, just before the war Edward John Holland, ‘Ted’ had a job making wooden propellers, all carved by hand, for all types of aircraft including Tiger Moths, Spitfires and Hurricanes. He did this right up until war eventually broke out and Ted and his best friend, Bob Barnes, decided they wanted to join the RAF. However, Ted was not so fortunate, being only 17 he was refused. A year later Ted joined the Army and was selected for the REME, which was newly formed in 1942.

He attended training courses on vehicles, and he worked on weapons, including 25 pounder and 6 pounder guns. His first posting was to Weymouth, to No.1 Experimental Workshops. This was where the waterproofing of vehicles took place in preparation for D Day. Ted was training men from the MT sections of other regiments, including Commandos and Royal Marines, showing them how to waterproof the vehicles, passing the knowledge on. When he spoke to a lot of them after D Day, he was pleased to hear that only small amounts of water had got in; causing no serious effects. This is a role carried out by REME soldiers within 3 Commando Brigade to this day.

Before D Day, Ted was looking at the REME noticeboard and like many of us today, saw a notice inviting volunteers for the Commandos and the Airborne. Straightaway he volunteered for the Commandos and was posted first to Wrexham, North Wales, which was the primary training area for the Commandos, then finishing up in Scotland for the main training in Achnacarry, where he was successful in gaining the Green beret.

Achnacarry is renowned for its Commando history. Potential Commandos would disembark the train at Spean Bridge railway

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Cfn Edward ‘Dutch’ Holland station and have 60 mins to run the 6.7miles to Achnacarry House. If the soldiers weren’t under the hour, the gates would be shut, and they would be turned around. This test is recreated every year known as the Spean Bridge Commando Speed March. Ted was one that made it amongst others, passing the test and arduous training, and was then assigned to No.3 Commando.

During his time with No. 3 Commando, his driving skills also came in use. He often drove jeeps, sometimes as an officer’s driver, his skills being in demand in dangerous places, particularly Germany as you can imagine! He drove many vehicles, including massive tank recovery vehicles, alongside his regular duties as a Commando, going on evening patrols and raids.

No. 3 Commando was responsible for small, harassing raids. Destroying gun positions under the cover of night and causing havoc in order to

disrupt the Germans behind their own lines. The sabotage was so successful Hitler release the famous Commando Order on 18 October 1942; declaring the immediate assignation of any known British Commando, without trail.

The Commandos were ‘bold as brass’ and had to be. They were equally resourceful and had to find their own food and shelter, which could be anything from an old barn to a ditch. In one case for Ted, he spent the night in a slip trench covered in snow, in the morning he realised it was actually a German trench; luckily for Ted it was abandoned.

In Teds own words; “I remember when we were going through Germany, and we had to find somewhere to stay, we found this old bombed out house and thought we’ll kip here. I found some lovely daggers, which I’ve still got. I found out afterwards it’s an actual Luftwaffe dagger, vintage 1935. I also found, a bayonet and a Nazi armband which I’ve still got. It was a deserted house, everyone gone.”

When the Commandos came back from Germany, it was expected that they would go to the Far East, where the war was still being fought. The Japanese then surrendered and the decision was made to disband the Army Commandos and they were sent back to their units, in Ted’s case back in REME. He still had the Green beret, and asked if there were any postings abroad. Within a week he was offered a posting to Kenya in East Africa, to work with the Kings African Rifles. He learnt much of the language (Swahili) in the six months he was there.

Ted was honoured for his contributions during WW2. He sadly passed away this year on 23 September 2021.

Scribe – WO2 Gaz Hooson from transcript kindly donated by Teds daughter, Liz Milne.

Cfn William Meek No. 5 Commando

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o. 5 Commando were famous for many raids such as the one at St Nazaire in 1942. A lot to live up to for a young Cfn who had recently passed WW2 Commando selection! By this time the Commandos were almost fully established but it wasn’t until 1943 that Lord Louis Mountbatten set up command in South East Asia (SEAC), prior to this the Japanese had relentlessly taken Burma in some of the most brutal fighting seen during the war. March 1944, the Indian Army had launched a significant attack on the Japanese Empire fighting through from its own borders and taking back a city called Maungdaw, North of Burma. This was one of Cfn Meeks first deployments as a young Commando.

The Japanese planned a counter-attack with similar force called the ‘Ha Go’ offensive, 5 Commando and 44 Commando Royal Marines were mobilised in order to carry out a surprise attack from the coast and link up with the Indian Army; clearing through Japanese positions on the way. This would be called ‘Operation SCREWDRIVER’ quite fitting for Cfn Meek who joined the Commandos from the REME. Operation SCREWDRIVER commenced and saw No. 5 and 44 Commandos carrying out beach landings on the 11 March, attacking and harassing their enemy from the South. Reading through war

Cfn William Meek diaries and testimonials I found a lot of common events about the weather of all things, which means it must have been bad. Torrential seasonal monsoons were common in Burma and the Commandos had landed just in time for rainy season. Bergans and stores were washed away in flash floods, knee deep wet-lands were at the bottom of hills, Japanese gun positions at the top. It must have been nothing less than horrendous, a success, nonetheless.

Not a great deal is known about Cfn Meek, although we can accurately estimate quite a lot. The duties carried out by the Commandos in March 1944 saw some intense fighting, if Cfn Meek wasn’t killed upon landing, he was most probably killed attacking a well defended Japanese position.

If anyone has any further information his family would love to know more. His Great Nephew, is also currently an Army Commando; clearly it was in his blood. Cfn Meek now rests at piece and is remembered with honour at the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Myanmar, which was formally known as Burma.

He was killed in action on 15 March 1944 whilst serving with No. 5 Commando at the age of 20.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Are you ex-serving REME? Did you have a partner or family who were in REME? Where Are They Now? is a new feature, giving you the chance to share your stories with the wider REME Family.

If you have a story to share, email it to craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk # T h e R E M E Fa m i l y

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Overseas Operations

Op MAKARA 2B

Scribe: Cpl Bacon

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The undulating terrain kept the Recovery Mechanics busy

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iven just two weeks to turn the fleet around following Op MAKARA 2, it was always going to be a challenge to get the vehicles ready for Op MAKARA 2B and meeting the deadline was always going to be tight; so much so that just minutes prior to deploying, repairs were still being carried out on the FOXHOUNDS. But thanks to the tireless efforts of the LAD, the vehicles were ready to deploy as planned. Except it didn’t go quite to plan. This Op would promise to be more exciting when just hours after arriving at its designated area of interest, C Sqn detained a suspected ISGS insurgent, and found an RPG and ammunition. This led to A Coy Gp, Fitter Section included, being crashed out 24 hours early to provide support and protection to the Task Group.

The main objective of Op MAKARA 2B was to provide an escort and protection for the UN Human Rights Investigation Team, allowing them to carry out an assessment of the area following a recent atrocity in which over 50 people were murdered in a mass shooting carried out by insurgents in the ANSONGO circle.

After achieving this we were to push around 30km off-road to an area called TinAzir, a former home of an ISGS Commander and a suspected location for weapon caches. On completion of this phase the C Sqn and a small contingent from A1 Echelon were to recce a route in preparation for our final Op. Sounds easy enough but given the extreme heat and undulating terrain, the LAD, VMs in particular, would end up doing an incredible amount of work in the 12 days that we were out on the ground for.

After a 120km road move through the night, we finally arrived at the location of the A1 Echelon Leaguer, but any hopes of getting in and going to sleep were immediately dashed when we were met by the Fitter Section IC, Sgt Wakerley, who informed us that a FOXHOUND needed a new steering box and a COYOTE needed a final drive replacing. Both jobs which would have been challenging enough back in camp, never mind in the middle of the desert. But without complaint the VMs from both A1 Echelon and A Coy Fitter Section, with support of the Recovery Mechanics, got to work, spannering through most of the night and the following day, enduring the extreme heat and lack of sleep to get both vehicles back on the road just in time for the next phase, a road move South to the border town of LABBEZENGA. After a hectic and challenging start to the op, the Fitter Section, LCpls Yates, McKernan and I were looking forward to getting back into the routine of heading out each day to provide support to A Coy and their temperamental FOXHOUNDS. Though this would prove to be wishful thinking, as on arrival to the Leaguer location just outside of LABBEZENGA we were told that one of the C Sqn’s JACKALS required a final drive replacing. It would again prove to be a late night, though at least this time there would be more help on hand, with VMs being dropped off from C Sqn to assist with the repair, making this a joint effort between all three sub-unit Fitter Sections and after almost three days of relentless effort from the LAD, the JACKAL was back in, with the VMs once again proving their worth as an invaluable asset to the Task Group.

The next day would see us back to our normal routine of pushing out with the Coy, this time we were heading right down to Mali’s Southern border with Niger, some 200km away from camp, it felt like the Long Range Reconnaissance Group was really earning its name. With the everpresent threat of young officer map reading causing an accidental invasion Niger, we risked a quick photo on the border and then made our way back to LABBAZENGA. We escorted the Human Rights Team around the local police station before heading back to the leaguer.

Fortunately, the FOXHOUNDs managed to make it through the day without any serious issues which meant we had plenty of time to rest when we got back in.

The next morning the Human Rights Team were flown back to camp,

A usual sight, working into the early hours

Spannering throughout the night

A combined effort from the A1, A Coy and C Sqn Fitter Section to repair a final drive on a JACKAL

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A Coy Fitter Section on the Niger Border

All leaguered up and ready to deploy again

Vehicle repairs in the desert often see multiple trades working together to fix the problem

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concluding the second phase of the Op. This allowed the Task Group to conduct a 24hr maintenance period, the objective being to get the vehicles in as good a state as possible prior to the third phase, a 30km off-road journey to an area called TIN-AZIR, a suspected hotbed for terrorist activity.

After some more impressive work by the LAD, the fleet was back in good order and ready to begin the journey, with some of us even making the bold statement that the vehicles would all get there in one piece, though we would soon be proven wrong. Just an hour into the journey A Coy Fitter Section were called on to try and assist with the recovery of a COYOTE that had managed to get stuck in the soft sand in the middle of a 50ft wide wadi. On initial assessment we assumed it would be a relatively straight forward recovery, not too dissimilar to the recoveries we had conducted on previous Ops, but on closer inspection we discovered that the COYOTE had snapped its final drive, meaning no power was getting to the wheels. This fault was quickly becoming the bane of the VMs’ lives. Around four hours and multiple recovery attempts later, the decision was made to leave it to the Recovery Mechanics and the SVR, which made light work of pulling the COYOTE to solid ground. Much to the delight of the VMs, the choice was made to recover the COYOTE back to camp and repair it there, sparing the VMs another gruelling final drive change out in the field. Luckily the rest of the journey went according to plan, this being an indication of just how good the Task Group had become at negotiating the difficult terrain, as opposed to the first Op where there seemed to be a recovery task every ten minutes. We arrived just before last light and moved straight into a sub-unit leaguer, and with only eight vehicles in the leaguer, there was plenty of stags to go around!

The next couple of days would prove to be mostly uneventful, with the Fitter Section only being called into action a couple of times to repair minor faults on the FOXHOUNDS and the Coy being unsuccessful in their search for weapon caches. The only thing worth mentioning would be the weather. Despite being told that rainy season had ended and that there would be no more rain, we were hit by probably the worst rainstorm we had seen so far, and with the Fitter Section working from a COYOTE, we had no escape and we were in for a wet night’s sleep on sodden camp cots, not that this dampened spirits too much as the next day we were embarking on the long journey back to camp and to the relative comfort of air con, showers and fresh food!

Over the twelve days that we were deployed, the LAD, VMs especially, did an exceptional amount of work to keep the vehicles moving, working all hours of the day in the blistering heat on minimal sleep, they commanded the respect of the entire Task Group and proved themselves to be a battle-winning asset.

Charity

Remembering Our Dad

Dad meeting HRH Prince Philip, at the REME 50 Gala Concert in 1992, modelling the uniform of yesteryear

Scribe: Kim Angove

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ur Dad, Dave Roulston-Bates, sadly passed away in February 2021. The whole family have been devastated by the sudden loss of losing Dad; he really has left a huge hole in all of our lives, it’s been a very tough year without him.

Dad was a very proud REME Veteran. He left the Army as a Corporal in 1992, but in his heart, and after all those years being out of the Army, Her Majesty was still ‘Boss’, right up until the end. He was very proud.

Throughout the first few months after losing Dad, my Sister Adele and I found a lot of comfort on The REME Facebook groups. Chatting to people that knew Dad & sharing stories.

We then found the Virtual 10k and decided to take part.

We had our horses kitted out in REME Corps colours, to honour Dad, and entered the 10k (we actually did a 5k run/walk and a 10k horse ride, all on the same day) and managed to raise a fantastic amount - £1,000 for The REME Charity.

We wanted to be connected to something that Dad truly loved and we think he’d be very proud of us for what we achieved.

Some pictures below of us during our Virtual 10k.

In July we took part in a 30k Endurance GB National Ride, and were lucky to be gifted these fab REME T-shirts from Gaz Hooson! Thank you Gaz. We are looking forward to taking part in next year’s 10k, and for many years to come.

Keeping REME in the family - for you Dad.

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Charity

3rd Bn The Rifles LAD – Cateran Yomp 2021 OC: Capt Sean Hunter

ASM: WO1 Michael Foster. Scribed: Sgt Graham Campbell

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he Cateran Yomp is an arduous 24hr event that takes place annually in the Cairngorm National Park in Scotland. It is an ABF soldier’s charity event, aimed at raising money for veteran soldiers and their families. The event consists of three challenging distances, Bronze (22 mile), Silver (36 miles) and Gold, a gruelling 54 miles trek across the stunning Scottish wilderness.

Setting out from Blairgowrie early on Saturday morning, the team’s spirits were high until we identified that someone had moved a place marker, sending participants off route. Following a 3-mile detour so early in the challenge, it created flashbacks of D:Ream on Top of The Pops in the 1990s singing; “‘Things Can Only Get Better”. The first drag to checkpoint 1 was “only a half marathon”. With good terrain underfoot, this seemed to pass with ease and the team’s varying levels of ability remained unnoticed. This was the first meeting with our ‘Support Crew’ and wet feet seemed to be a common

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trend. A quick talc and change of socks, reinvigorated morale and the team set off for the Checkpoint 2, which would be the 22-mile Bronze Medal achievement at the Spittal of Glenshee.

An arduous slog through a never-ending wood was eventually met with some beautiful views across an open valley. This view was short lived by the colossal incline that lay ahead. Being based in Dreghorn Bks, at the foot of the Pentland Hills has it benefits. For those who have served there, they will be familiar with ‘brown track’, a key feature to the CO’s Friday PT regime. Well hydrated, the team tackled the steep incline, eventually reaching the summit in small groups. Not long after the summit, the Bronze checkpoint was in view, albeit several hours of descent remained between the team and check point.

Successfully achieving the Bronze award, the team set off on another ‘half marathon’, however at this stage the varying abilities of the group were becoming evident. A difficult slog through a long bog was exasperated by the battering Scottish rain and wind, before easing off to “flatter” ground.

Arriving at the next formal water stop, we were all happy to discover a ‘gin stand’. To the disappointment of the team, this was only a shot and not the whole bottle. The remainder of the leg to the Silver checkpoint seemed to pass without much of a challenge. A few inclines and some undulating ground were all that stood between the team and the 36-mile Silver Medal achievement.

As darkness closed in, the team deployed their head torches and the pace began to slow due to poor visibility and uneven ground. The remaining 18miles included three water stops and was understandably the slowest leg of the overall event.

Approaching the 44-mile point, morale improved with the knowledge that there was only 10 miles remaining. A lengthy water stop, and intake of carbohydrates set the conditions for 3-mile tarmac hill towards Alyth. Entering the final 4.1 miles, questions were raised by the team over who measured the route, as this seemed more like 6 miles. With the end in sight, the team completed the final mile dragging their heels across the finish line in the early hours of Sunday morning. All participants from 3 RIFLES LAD had successfully achieved the 54-mile Gold award.

A glass of Prosecco and a quick photo concluded the challenge, with some very tired and weary individuals debating over the actual distance trekked. 3 RIFLES LAD were proud to announce that in addition to achieving the Gold award, they raised just over £1,300 for ABF - The Soldiers Charity. A great effort all round.

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Lifting the Decks

1 Royal Welsh LAD Lifting the Decks Challenge Mental fitness + physical fitness = Driven and Determined soldiers OC: Capt James Forster MBE. Scribe: WO1 (ASM) Paul Townsend

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o be the Best LAD in the Army, sometimes you must prove yourself and take on Challenges. There is a healthy competitive team in the LAD from STRAVA workouts to the Welsh Warrior work out of the week, you will always find the LAD competing for something.

This year has seen members from the LAD complete the National 3 Peaks challenge in under 24 hours raising £2000 for Mind Wiltshire.

SSgt McLuskey challenged other Bde LADs to take part in the Spartan Trifecta, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute due to COVID restrictions. When the initiative of “Lifting the Decks” was introduced, members in the LAD saw this as another opportunity to challenge themselves, whilst raising the profile of Mental health awareness. 31 members took part in the first challenge the “REME 10km”. With October being Mental health awareness month, it was quite fitting to take part in a month-long challenge raising awareness. On the Birthday of the Corps the challenge had started.

3 Peaks Challenge - Summit of Ben Nevis

I like to think I lead the way in the LAD, raising the profile about Mental Health; so, supporting any “Lifting the Decks” challenge is a given. I decided to go big, I chose to complete 6 out of 7 events (I didn’t do the 50km Tab). I must admit the first week was a big shock to the body, swimming, running and cycling daily; to gauge timings, distances and body fatigue. With the first week completed and

100km cycled, the OC informed me something wasn’t right with his cycling times, after investigating we realised two bikes in the gym were set to kms and two were set to miles, so I had actually completed 100miles not 100km. The hardest part for me was reading a book, I’m more of an audiobook fan. Since I was on the bike for an hour a day it was the perfect opportunity to read; I chose to read Allen Carr’s Easy way to stop smoking; this was now becoming a personal challenge, to stop smoking. I highly recommend this book, it makes you see smoking in a different sense, and the book worked for me. An MOD smoke free zone is coming, make it your choice to be free of the addiction.

Many Soldiers and officers will experience a mental health disorder, this is not to be stigmatised, it’s a natural reaction to a stress, I have personally experienced mental health issues and

WO1 (ASM) Townsend on my last 25km

Rough terrain, made the challenge physically and mentally challenging

WO1 ASM Townsend

26 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

always conformed to the benefit of its soldier’s mental health by qualifying personnel for the workplace and deployments. I personally was qualified and assigned as a TRiM Practitioner in preparation for upcoming deployments.

Mental health has always been a sore spot, not only in the Military, but also within our Civilian counterpart’s lifestyle. Stigmatisation has massively decreased over the past few years and I would recommend any individual struggling to seek out signposting, follow this up and make a personal effort to take care of your mental health, which will benefit yourself and the soldiers around you.

LCpl Beeley B Rorke’s Drift Fitters

Sgts Topping and Potts leading the way on Ben Nevis unfortunately lost friends to their own battles. Adjustment disorder is the most prevalent disorder we are likely to experience, being posted to a new unit, a new job, moving section/Pl/Coy, a change in family circumstances, a birth or bereavement are just a few causes that may trigger an adjustment disorder. It’s how we manage our soldiers afterwards, to ensure they recover as quickly as possible.

Sometimes just providing an empathic ear is enough to lift someone, make time to listen. 1 Royal Welsh LAD provide a stigma free, openness about mental health, we believe in talking to each other we also promote the website ‘Togetherall’ and the Headspace App. By understanding the mentality of the team allows us to develop everyone’s potential.

Cpl Bishop B Rorke’s Drift Fitters I have been taking part in the “2021 Lifting the Decks Challenge” in support of Mental Health through physical activity. I have conducted 5 of the 7 challenges, which are 50km TAB, 12,500m swimming, lifting 40,000kg, reading a book and zero alcohol. I personally chose these challenges as I identified them as my personal weaknesses.

This all had to be conducted within the month of October and although it has been tough, I feel as though this has not only helped me physically, but also strengthened my Mental wellbeing by focusing on weaker areas of my lifestyle, changing them for the better by identifying, altering and focusing on further improvement in these areas.

Mental health has affected me personally in the past and there will always be a time in my life which I identify as a struggle, however, that being said, I was helped massively by the Chain of Command and was signposted; where I found help was readily available. I am now an advocate for mental health and 1 Royal Welsh LAD has

SSgt McLuskey being taken for a Tab by Odin

When I heard about the lifting the decks challenge, I jumped at the opportunity to get involved as it seemed a fun addition to my regular fitness programme. I really enjoy swimming and have swam for the REME team in the past, however with lockdown and a busy schedule recently, I have found it hard to make the time to get down to the pool. This challenge has given me the motivation to get back into it which is what I needed! I also chose the run and tab challenges which has given me a bit more focus in terms if my cardio with a target to hit as opposed to the same 5 or 10km I would normally do. The lifting challenge was the final option I chose as it has incorporated nicely into to my regular gym visits. I think everyone should get involved in any capacity that works for them as it may reignite a former passion like with me or give you an achievable goal to work towards. Mental health is being discussed more, removing the stigma it once had. There is more training and education out there nowadays and everyone should make it their business to gain some understanding. The CoC of in 1 Royal Welsh LAD, create a stigma free approachable and take time to listen to individuals with concerns and sign post them when needed.

This month have given us a challenge to focus on and created some healthy competition within the LAD, something we thrive on.

In total the LAD members ran 1600km, swam 137,500m, tabbed 400km, cycled 3000km, lifted 520,000kg, read 2623 pages from books and 10 of us went alcohol free. The challenge has come at a perfect time for the LAD, we are just about to deploy to Germany on EX GOTHIC DRAGON, for BG training in preparation for EX TALLIN DAWN. Thanks to this challenge, 1 Royal Welsh LAD now has soldiers that are in better shape physically, mentally and focused on deploying on OP CABRIT 10, mental fitness and physical fitness go hand in hand.

Carlsberg don’t make LADs, but if they did it would be 1 Royal Welsh LAD. #liftingthedecks #welshwarriors #mind #bestLAD

WO2 (AQMS) Gething ‘ Lifting strong’

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Charity

Crossing the Atlantic? In a rowing boat? Why wouldn’t you…

Scribe: Lt Col Mac McCarthy (Team Elijah’s Star)

‘Y

es’. It’s an easy word to say. Rolls off the tongue, and is probably one of the most commonly used words, just behind ‘No’. And so, when friends, on a Zoom call during lockdown back in April 2020, asked me if I wanted to row across the Atlantic, it was easy to say ‘Yes’. I think I was still a little delirious coming off the back of a bout of CV19 but the question was asked, I looked at Julie, my long suffering far better half, who rolled her eyes as if to say ‘whatever’, and said ‘Yes’.

But there are implications to saying ‘Yes’…

Now, with 6 weeks to go before departure (less by the time you read this), the implications of that one small Home! Lady Jayne – our Rannoch R45 Ocean Rowing Boat, two in the front and two in the back word are looming large. Some quick facts and figures about rowing the Atlantic… closest people? – international space station; nearest land? – about 5 think that this might be quite a social time with boats rowing together miles – straight down; more people have been into space than rowed for long periods, but the reality is you probably won’t see another sole any ocean; more people climb Everest every year; storms and 40-foot until arriving in Antigua. Within days, the fleet can be hundreds of miles waves; capsize (most boats go over at some point); salt sores and apart. blisters; hallucinations and fatigue; sea sickness and cramps; daily As to safety, we’re entirely self-sufficient carrying all our rations and calorie intake – 6.000kcal but regardless, average weight loss is 12kg. supplies and we rely totally on a solar powered water maker – mission We’ll row for two hours and then rest for two hours. And then row for critical equipment. We carry a comprehensive medical pack including two hours and rest for two hours, constantly. 24 hours a day. For about anti-biotics (I’m the medic) and we have satellite comms and a BGAN 6 weeks. for safety and social media. We have a GPS system that tells us where We are a team of four, I’m serving, two ex-Army (one REME) and one we are and what might be near-by, an auto-helm for the rudder and of ex-Navy, and we’re going to sit down on our 28-foot Rannoch R45 course, a compass - just head West! We each carry a personal locator rowing boat on the 12 December 2021 and not get off until sometime beacon (PLB) at all times on a safety belt and we are always harnessed in mid to late January 2022. And none of us are rowers in any true to the boat – unless going over the side to clean the hull when we can sense. We’ll row 3.000 miles due west from La Gomera in the Canaries, be on a longer rope and then we conduct Shark Watch in the very real to the island of Antigua in the Caribbean and this will all take place sense of the phrase. We carry a fully equipped life raft and emergency under the banner of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. This is an food and water along with a hand-held water maker. The loo is a bucket annual race organised by Atlantic Campaigns and is simply described and, oh the luxury, it’s got a seat! There are two Atlantic Campaigns as ‘The World’s Toughest Row’. No arguments there. This year, there will safety yachts out there, somewhere, but if we get into trouble they can be nearly 40 boats – from solos (absolute nutters), through pairs, be 5 days away. The ability to maintain and repair the boat and its threes, fours and fives. There’s a staggered start in La Gomera with the systems is essential to a successful crossing. It really is about being selfsolos leaving first and 5 minutes between each departing boat. You’d sufficient.

For those that remember him, Phil Bigland is still scruffy. Have to admit though, the best fresh mackerel I’ve ever eaten

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‘The Paddock’. 2020/21 start line, San Sebastian Harbour, La Gomera. Christopher Columbus sailed from here when he discovered the America by accident

Pickling the Schenker water maker – Mission Critical Kit! We’ve trained and prepared well. Of the 40 boats going, three have made the ‘no concerns’ list at the initial inspection with the Safety Officer, and we’re one of them. I won’t deny, the lessons learnt from military planning, preparation and execution have done us proud. As a team, we’ve logged around 200 hours of ocean rowing experience but I don’t think anything will truly prepare us for what the Atlantic will offer.

It’s a question of being mentally prepared to face whatever comes and having confidence in the kit. That’s a definite read across to a military approach isn’t it? Physically, we’re all doing a lot of stretching and mobility work. It’s a walk, not a sprint, and much of the training has been focused around resilience and strength - a rowing stroke is effectively a squat followed by a deadlift and then a bit of biceps – oh, and we’ve learnt to row! The bottom line is that you can’t afford to pick up an injury. There is simply no opportunity to recover without staying off of the oars, and then someone else has to cover your shift, not ideal.

Overall though, it’s the mental challenge that is daunting. Getting through that knock on the door every few hours and the words ‘you’re on’ are going to be the truly tough bit.

So why on earth would anyone say ‘Yes’?

The front cabin. Known by the ‘back cabin boys’ (half the size) as the luxury en-suite of you and me say ‘Yes’ to these sorts of things relates to what we all do for a living, the career path we have chosen. Why wouldn’t I say ‘Yes’? It took me about 3 seconds to decide. Perhaps it’s my huge dose of FOMO but there’s no way, having been presented with such an opportunity that I was going to let it slip by. And, unsurprisingly I think, that’s the response I get from nearly all of my military friends and colleagues. I’ve got quite a long list of reserves in case one of us drops out! It’s in our nature, or at least it should be, to be a bit expeditionary in our approach to life. It’s what we do. Can you imagine, in a year’s time, how you’d feel if you said ‘No’ and you had to listen to those that said ‘Yes’ banging on about it? I want to be banging on about it. I encourage all of our younger soldiers and officers (and older – hey – I’m over 50 now but still think I’m 25) to grasp these sorts of opportunities where they can. And importantly, if they’re not coming and finding you, go out and make them happen.

We’re raising money for a great charity called Action Medical Research and I’d ask you all to google them and see the fantastic work that they do. There’s also a connection to our team name, Elijah’s Star, and I challenge anyone not to need a tissue after reading the story.

You’ll find us on Facebook and Instagram with #Elijahsstar and we have a website with more information about the team, the charity and the challenge at www.elijahsstar.com. It’s also worth having a look at the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge website and see if it whets your appetite…? Any future Atlantic rowers out there? A future REME team?

Other Services, Regiments and Corps are getting into this now. More and more military teams are entering. For us, it would be fantastic to attract a load more followers throughout the Corps, present and past – there are also some opportunities to help us with the challenge signposted from the website.

Final two points; firstly, a huge vote of thanks to the Corps and the Corps ASM for supporting the two of us who are / were REME with a grant from the REME Adventurous and Enterprising Activities Committee, and secondly, a promise to follow this article up in February of next year to let you know how it went when I (hopefully) get back. But not before a well-earned week or two of rest and recovery in Antigua!

Well, there’s a lot to look forward to. The wildlife that previous rowers have seen and experienced is just incredible. We’ve been lucky enough to be accompanied by pods of dolphins on some of our training rows off of the south coast of the UK, but those have been groups of 10-15.

Imaging being surrounded by 500 to a 1000 dolphins? Or being in the water with Whales. And we’re learning a lot too. Sharks have always been at the back of my mind as the ultimate apex predator, but guess what!? They’re not. They’re scared of Orcas that hunt them just for their livers and tongues and, pleased to say, there’s not been a recorded incident of Orcas ever attacking humans in the wild (at least not that anyone survived to report…) Still not sure I’ll be entirely comfortable going over the side with Orcas. I’ll make that call if the opportunity presents itself. Turtles, Portuguese Man’O War, Tuna (we’re taking a fishing rod) and Marlin are also on the list of things to see – although Marlin have presented the most danger to rowers on the last couple of crossings when hulls have been pierced from underneath by the Marlin spikes when they’ve been hunting and decimating Tuna under the boats. A 15 foot Marlin will knock a boat through 90 degrees when it hits, with the power to push its spike 6 to 9 inches into the sleeping compartments which, if lucky, will snap off sealing the hole. There was serious talk about Kevlar lining the floors. On several occasions a ‘willing volunteer’ has then had to go into the blood-soaked water to apply an epoxy patch to stop the boat sinking. I’ve offered to organise the lottery for that task…

There’s also the incredible sense of space and isolation. It starts as an uncomfortable feeling but all who’ve completed the row say it becomes something you relish. The night skies, horizon to horizon of crystal-clear stars with zero light pollution, have to be seen to be believed and the sheer sense of power that the Atlantic shows you means you’ll learn more about yourself than perhaps you’re prepared for. And of course, let’s be honest, there’s the bragging rights. And Lady Jayne. Team Elijah’s Star. 3-day training row, sunrise did I mention the 12kg weight loss? near Eddystone Lighthouse, south of Plymouth But more fundamentally, I think the reason the likes

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Adventurous Training

Ex NORTHERN CRAFTSMAN Scribe: Sgt Richie Taylor

6 Regiment RLC LAD Sailing Expedition 19 – 24 Sep 21

E

x NORTHERN CRAFTSMAN was designed to deliver a challenging yet achievable sailing package for 6 Regiment RLC LAD. 10 Service Personnel arrived in sunny Gosport, Portsmouth, where we stayed the night at Fort Blockhouse, before meeting up with our skippers on Monday morning. That evening, we all enjoyed a pre-sail meal after the long drive down thinking it might be our last good meal of the week, how wrong we were!

The Craftsman Crew enjoying the view: Cfn Stokes, WO1 (ASM) Radford and LCpl Moore

The Seahorse Crew consisting of Maj Triblenig, Cpl Taylor, LCpl Devlin, Cfn Hubberstey, Cfn Coulson and Cfn Smith 30 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

Enjoying the Poole Harbour sunset Upon meeting our skippers, we were given a tour of the boats and our mandatory safety briefs. We then quickly set sail as our instructors unloaded their wealth of knowledge upon us, much to the bemusement of some as they sat there looking confused. We were split across two boats hired from the REME Sailing Club, ‘Seahorse’ and ‘Craftsman’. Both fantastic vessels and very well equipped.

Throughout the week we learned a range of skills which are detailed in the course syllabus to gain our Competent Crew Qualification. We covered multiple knots, crew overboard drills, how to bring the boat to a halt and most importantly, how to make a good cup of Yorkshire tea under sail.

Although not ideal sailing weather; calm seas, low wind and lots of lovely sunshine it was ideal for novice sailors and meant no one got sea sick. The ASM was quick to remind us all we were on a tight budget and couldn’t afford any more wind in true Yorkshireman style.

After our first successful day’s sailing, we moored up in Yarmouth Harbour where we had to haggle on the price of the mooring fees. We ate on the boat most nights either cooking on the move or

destination first; although this was certainly not a race. But Seahorse won. This was the first night we weren’t moored up in a harbour and had to tackle a mooring buoy in the dark before hitting the pillows for a good night’s sleep on the calm sea.

Our final full day took us from Thorney Island area back over to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. We all spent the day rotating through the helm repeating tacking and jibing the boat along whilst finessing our crew overboard drills.

Friday morning, we set sail back to Gosport to get the boats ready for handover back to the REME Sailing Club and after a lot of boat cleaning, we thanked our instructors for what was a most memorable week. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, group or instructors and wholeheartedly thank our instructors, Major Sullivan and Major Tribelnig, and the REME Sailing club for assisting us in completing our competent crew course. The crew would all strongly advise anyone to organise a sailing package using the REME boats, as you always hear, “civilians would pay thousands for this”, in this case it’s most definitely true.

LCpl Devlin strutting his stuff on the final day in the sun cooking whilst moored up; this first night feeding some hungry sailors we had a lovely chicken curry and made best use of the harbour showers.

The sleeping arrangements are a bit of a squeeze. Six people on each small boat seemed impossible, some got a little closer than others, but we just about managed it, the smaller people sharing the Seahorse Final – Cpl Taylor, Cfn Smith, Cfn Hubberstey, two doubles and one on each sofa. Luckily, the two snorers were on LCpl Devlin and Cfn Coulson the Seahorse and given their age had to take the sofas, obviously!

As the rest of the week went on the crews became more confident and competent on sailing, although one boat seemed to sail a lot more than the other as it was always under engine power. The Seahorse must have thought they were at Thorney Island as this is where the motor boating goes on.

Wednesday was to be the longest day, the morning brought us safety boat training and rope coiling, whilst the afternoon and late into the night we had a 52-mile sail to tackle to gain our night sailing hours. The crew of the Craftsman took this in their stride and had a great team bonding session in the light of the moon, music on and sailed off into the sunset. The Seahorse saw the other teams relaxed attitude and decided to be consummate sailing Seahorse and Craftsman showing off their boats and Crew shirts in Poole Harbour professionals and reach our Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover 31

REME Sporting Fixtures 2021/22

FOOTBALL: 10 Dec 21 21 Jan 22 25 Feb 22 04 Mar 22 01 Apr 22 13 May 22

Men’s RLC vs REME, at Aldershot, KO 1030hrs.

REME* vs Infantry, at Calne, KO 1030hrs.

Royal Corps of Signals vs REME, at Blandford, KO 1030hrs.

REME* vs Royal Corps of Signals, at Calne, KO 1030hrs.

REME* vs Royal Artillery, at Calne, KO 1030hrs.

RE vs REME, at Chatham, KO 1030hrs.

*All Men’s Home games are played at the Beversbrook Sports Complex, Calne, SN119FL. FOOTBALL: Women’s 03 Dec 21 AGC vs REME, at Worthy Down, KO 1030hrs.

RUGBY UNION: Men’s 01 Dec 21 REME* vs RA, at Royal Wootton Bassett, KO 1400hrs.

12 Jan 22 RE vs REME, at Chatham, KO 1400hrs.

02 Feb 22 REME* vs RLC, at Royal Wootton Bassett, KO 1400hrs.

18 May 22 Corps Union Finals, at Army Stadium, Aldershot. KO TBC. *All Men’s Home games are played at the Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club, Swindon, SN4 8DS.

Advertise your sporting fixtures and results here, contact:

craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk 32 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

Sport

REME Wakeboarding and Water-skiing Scribe: Cpl Kieran Kelsall

2

021 saw the establishment of the REME Wakeboarding Association. Kickstarting the sport was the Grass Roots Training Day; testing out the cable wake-park and as of May 2021 establishing its very own wakeboarding team.

The team commenced its first year with a strong sense of competition and hunger for the sport, subsequently placing 3rd across all competing Corps whilst competing at the annual Army Water-Ski and Wakeboarding Championships at Box End Park, Bedford. With great competitive vibes, the competition week consisted of 3 training days followed by 2 days of competition.

This was behind both powerboat and cable wakeboarding and water-skiing at novice, intermediate and advanced level. Members of the team were then selected to compete at Army level in the Combined Inter-Services. Unfortunately, no medals were won this year for the REME team competitors however, next year the REME team will exert its full force to bring home some silverware.

To do this, various training days/weeks between now and the next Army competition, the Summer of 2022, will be executed.

This is for all interested individuals who want to learn and enhance their skills on the water. The next training days/weeks will begin mid-spring 2022. For further information or an opportunity to become involved please follow/message ‘REME Wakeboarding’ on our Instagram and/or Facebook page and hopefully, we’ll see you soon!

LCpl White at the Army Championships

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Sport

REME Corps Cricket Season 2021 Scribe: Sgt Tom Smallwood

The squad sporting the new T20 strip

W

ith the long, cold lockdown winter of 2020 finally coming at an end, the REME Men’s Corps Cricket Team were itching to get back to competitive sport. After many months of waiting around to get the pads and gloves on, the Army was given the green light to allow outdoor sports matches and the go ahead was given. Despite having to play under strict social distancing guidelines, the excitement was building.

The Inter Corps T20 The first competition began in May and was a great way for the team to become reacquainted after a lengthy period apart. WO2 Pugh and SSgt Jhajj didn’t hold back in ensuring that enough cones were used in the first training session. We could have easily lined the route of the London Marathon.

The theme of the week was wet and windy weather, followed by glorious sunny spells. This rang true prior to our first game against the Infantry. Heavy downpours and hail looked likely to put an end to proceedings before they had even started, however thanks to the hard work of the Tidworth groundsmen, we managed to get the game underway.

New skipper LCpl Liam Fletcher lost the toss and we were put into bat. Strong batting performances from LCpl Fletcher (46) and WO1 (ASM) Dixon (21) saw REME finish on 143 – 9 from 20 overs. An impressive afternoon of fielding from the team, including tight bowling from SSgt Jhajj with figures of 2-32, ensured we kept the Infantry at bay and secured the win.

The Army Air Corps fixture was reduced 10 overs per team due to poor weather conditions. All batsmen were in fine form with the team finishing on an impressive total of 117 – 2 after just the 10 overs. Notable performances from Cpl Watts (35), LCpl Fletcher (39) and Cpl England (25*). Some impressive bowling

from newcomer Cfn Kerry Powell (3-6) and Sgt Hayward (3-13), saw the Army Air Corps finish on 46 All Out. This comfortable win saw REME finish top of the group and into the Cup Semi Final, to be played against the Royal Artillery.

Winning the toss and batting first, the Gunners got off to a flying start which only momentarily slowed during the middle of the innings. A tough 20 overs for fielders and bowlers ended with the Royal Artillery finishing on an impressive total of 195 – 4.

Early wickets early in our innings saw us at 14 -2 after 3 overs and in trouble. Sgt Jay Boynton came to the crease. Some big hits from him and LCpl Fletcher saw the mammoth total required being quickly reeled in. The loss of LCpl Fletcher for 42 didn’t slow the chase with Sgt Boynton joined by Lt Naker to continue to push on. A tense finish saw the team keep within touching distance all the way up to the final over, unfortunately falling just short and finishing on 181, Sgt Boynton finishing with 89 Not Out from just 56 balls.

This was the end of the competition for the Corps. An impressive start to the season and only narrowly losing out to the Royal Artillery who went on to lift the Inter Corps T20 Cup.

Power Cup Competition 2021 With the T20 competition done and dusted, the team switched fire to 50-over fixtures in the Power Cup League.

Our first fixture was against the RLC at Larkhill. Batting first, a good performance saw REME finish on 249 all out, with contributions from Lt Naker – 69, LCpl Pirie – 46, LCpl Pallett – 32.

In response the RLC began well, cruising to 119-1 but were reeled in after some quick wickets in the middle overs, and being reduced to 164 – 8, Sgt Smallwood taking 5-54 and Cfn Powell 242. Frustratingly, the RLCs ninth wicket pair stood up to the

Graft all season long battling against the rain

34 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

Lt Naker keeping the RLC Bowlers at bay

challenge and steadily got the runs to secure victory.

The following fixture against the Infantry was another difficult day at the office for the team. After some tight bowling and fielding, the Infantry managed to close their innings on a competitive score of 192 all out. In response, the Infantry bowling attack showed great discipline and REME never really got going. We were eventually all out for 98 all out.

After two straight defeats, in order to reach the Power Cup Final, we now needed to win all our remaining 4 fixtures and have other results going in our favour… The challenge was on and with backs to the wall our performances improved.

Bowling well in Chatham in wet and windy conditions, the Royal Engineers were all out for just 150. SSgt Jhajj doing especially well with figures of 4-19. In response, a good start from the opening batsmen was followed by a middle order collapse. In the end we crawled over the line to finish on 151 for 8 with only 2 overs to spare.

Up next was the Royal Signals. Fielding a strong side, the Signals posted a respectable score of 211 all out, with Cpl Joseph being the pick of the REME bowlers taking 3-45 from his 10 overs.

After a very early wicket, skipper LCpl Fletcher cruised to an impressive 121 not out from 106 balls, ably supported at the other end by both LCpl Pirie (38) and Sgt Boynton (42 not out).

This saw the team cruise to victory, chasing the total down for the loss of just 2 wickets.

Momentum was now with us, and the next hurdle was the Royal Artillery. Arguably the strongest opposition we would face this season, who themselves had been unbeaten throughout the year. As per usual, the weather was playing havoc throughout the day, however, pulling out all the stops, we managed to get a game going with 21 overs per side. Batting first, 2 early wickets

brought Lt Naker and WO1 (ASM) Dixon to the crease. Knowing overs were reduced, they certainly were not hanging around in upping the run rate. Lt Naker scoring 50 from 46 balls and WO1 (ASM) Dixon scoring 76 from 51 balls. REME finished on 160 – 3.

In response the Gunners batted well edging ever closer to the target and requiring 9 runs from the last over. Up stepped Cfn Candler for the last over of the match. An incredible piece of death bowling saw 2 wickets fall in just 3 balls, and the opposition falling 5 runs short on 155 – 7. With other results going our way we had done all within our power to push ourselves to second in the table with 1 game remaining.

The final game saw the team travel to Cove to play the AGC. A must-win game to give ourselves the best opportunity to reach the Power Cup Final. With a full squad available, on paper, the team was looking as strong as it could be. We batted well – a quick fire 42 from LCpl Fletcher and 75 from Sgt Boynton saw the team finish on an impressive 281 all out. Some very tidy bowling never allowed the AGC to get into their stride and they were bowled out in just 31 overs for a total of 119. The pick of the bowlers for the day were Cfn Candler (3-16) and Cfn Powell (323).

Unfortunately, other results did not go our way and the Corps just missed out on making the final. A tough pill to swallow but an exceptional turnaround from the squad, who are eager to put things right next season. A pre-season tour to St Lucia in 2022 should also help us get over the disappointment!

Before signing off, it is appropriate for me on behalf of the Chairperson of REME Cricket, Col Phillips ADC, the committee and players to thank the REME Charity and Carwoods Motor Units Ltd for their continued and invaluable support to REME Cricket once again this year. It is hugely appreciated.

Textbook long barrier from Cpl Watts during the warm up

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Achievements

REME Arms School 2* Commendations M

aj Mick Willoughby RLC and Sgt Abin Subba from the REME AS were both presented with 2* Commendations by Lt Col Danny Leslie REME (COS DSEME) on Wed 20 Oct 21.

Maj Willoughby received an AOC 22 Gp Commendation for his work throughout the COVID 19 pandemic to deliver and lead online training. This ensured that, despite the lockdown and other restrictions, the REME AS managed to meet the requirements of the Statement of Training Requirement and deliver all the scheduled courses. The presentation was combined with his leaving presentation; he leaves the REME Arms School following four years as SO2 ES Mat training and the Army after over 30 years of service.

Sgt Subba received a GOC 3 (UK) Div Commendation for his outstanding work supporting 4 Bn REME, his previous unit. As a Cpl he stood in for both the CQMS and TQMS, provided G4 for his company when deployed lead and coached the Bn shooting team.

Sgt Abin Subba and Maj Mick Willoughby, with COS DSEME Lt Col Danny Leslie

REME Association

WE ARE BACK …!

Scribe: Maxine Williams. Photo: Chris Parker, Maxine Williams

W

ell we didn’t ever go away but being without a cracking party was getting a little tedious. So, after a little interaction with some vaccines the Bristol Branch set out to make up for lost time.

Brilliantly organised by Andy Badman and Gerry Spiller the night began with a LOT of chat (anyone would have thought we hadn’t had a good chin wag for a couple of years.) Good food, great stories and memorable toasts brought us all too soon to the speeches. Chairman Phil Clarke summed up our Association life since our last meeting in precis style and then presented the George Stevens Trophy to Mike Evans in recognition of his stirling work as Secretary for the last 7 years. Thank you Mike.

Members once again took an ‘interesting’ array of raffle prizes home, and my winning cup was filled with this blue furry chap. Just right for the grandson.

All in all, a cracking night and we can’t wait for our Christmas meeting. Come and join us if you are in the Bristol area.

Bristol REME Association 36 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

My winning ‘star’ prize from the raffle

Museum

Collections in Focus: George Galsworthy Palmer The REME Museum has recently acquired a large collection of items relating to George Galsworthy (GG) Palmer.

Photograph of the Drawing Office, 2 Base Workshops REME, c 1941-44, A:1960.0245.193

B

orn in 1913, GG Palmer studied at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the 1930s and went on to become an art teacher whilst continuing to produce his own works.

Although not originally serving with REME, Corporal GG

Early Sketch

Palmer began his service with the Army in September 1940 with the Royal Tank Regiment. He was initially posted to Egypt in 1942 where he was involved in the Battle of El Alamein. As a result of a head injury sustained during battle, he was later attached to ‘D Camp’, 2 Base Workshop REME, Middle East Forces (MEF) in 1944.

2 Base Workshop REME was located in Tel-El-Kebir, Egypt. The workshop was responsible for vehicle modification, particularly for desert conditions, and repair. Due to its location near the Suez Canal and Port Said, 2 Base Workshop worked on many of the vehicles arriving in Egypt.

Whilst there, GG Palmer is thought to have worked as a draughtsman.

History of the unit reveals that the Technical Records Branch, of

Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover 37

which Cpl Palmer may have worked, was responsible for drawings, record keeping, photography and design among other tasks. George Galsworthy Palmer’s creative works are well documented in the recently acquired collection and give a unique insight into the social activities of the workshop.

A production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, Christmas 1944, proves to be the best recorded event in the collection. George Galsworthy Palmer was responsible for designing the scenery for this production as well as producing pamphlets and programmes to publicise the event.

He kept a scrapbook documenting each scene.

An early sketch found on the reverse of a drawing clearly reflects later set designs for the production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and gives insight into Palmer’s process. 2021.64 REME personnel acted in the production, including Cpl Palmer, of which we now have an extensive collection of photographs.

Coincidentally, 693 Base Manufacturing Workshops, based in Italy at this time also put together a production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ over Christmas 1944/45.

Annotations provide an added level of detail that photographs alone

Final Production Backdrop

Final Set Design Painting

Annotations on the reverse of performance photographs add insight into the details of the production. 2021.64

38 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

Extract of the script from Jack and the Beanstalk production, 1944, 2 Base Workshop REME, E:08.0404.08

often are unable to offer. In the case of this collection, GG Palmer not only annotates the reverse of photographs to describe the scene of the production but also anecdotal information regarding the set. One amusing account reads ‘The beanstalk was a pole hinged to the spot where it had to be [?] with the axe. Incidentally at the first performance Jack was so enthusiastic he ripped a foot off the back cloth!’

Research across the Museum’s existing collection has drawn some strong connections with the work of GG Palmer. The scriptwriter of 2 Base Workshop’s annual pantomimes also compiled a scrapbook of his work at the same time as GG Palmer. Productions Propaganda Poster, Ink Drawing, including ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and ‘Dick Whittington’ are recorded. These add further Signed GG Palmer. 2021.64 understanding of the production and the evolution of its scripts in conjunction with the scenery sketches.

A group of handwritten letters from an English School based in Cairo express gratitude to the Workshop for performing the play to their students.

These were retained by the scriptwriter and show the performance’s widespread reach in the local community outside of the Workshop.

From the material that we now have in the collection, there appear to be three distinct categories within which GG Palmer’s work and collection sits during his time serving with 2 Base Workshop REME: Theatre productions, social events and propaganda. The example of GG Palmer’s work in propaganda (below) reflects the efforts of initiatives such as the government’s ‘Careless talk’ campaign around this time.

Further photographs from Palmer’s collection give an insight into daily life with 2 Base Workshops REME, c1944. George Photograph titled: ‘Cycle Meeting, ‘D’ Camp, 2BW, ME, Sept 1944’. 2021.64 Galsworthy Palmer made efforts to add extensive annotations to the reverse of many photographs in his collection, many of which he can be seen in, including cycle meetings.

It is thought that GG Palmer was eventually transferred from REME to the Royal Army Education Corps. He returned to the UK from Egypt in 1946/47 where he resumed his role of teaching art, a career that he had begun in 1938 and continued to pursue whilst with 2 Base Workshop REME. George Galsworthy Palmer passed away in 1972 as a result of complications from the head injury that he sustained on the battlefield in El Alamein.

Every effort has been made to ascertain the copyright ownership of the material in this article. Please feel free to contact the author of this article with any concerns regarding the copyright ownership of the material included, enquiries@rememuseum.org.uk.

Laura Stewart, Assistant Curator, REME Photograph of an arts and crafts exhibition by 2 Base Workshop.

Museum Cpl Palmer is credited as Art Instructor. A:1960.0245.390 Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover 39

Art Avionics 17 50th Anniversary Art Avionics 17 started in November 1971 and finished in July 1973. Of the 6 of us, 3 were commissioned, 1 served until aged 55 and then became a Civil Servant to normal retirement age before passing away, the other 2 moved successfully into industry, with one of them becoming a JP. We are all still in touch.

Art Avionics 17 50th Anniversary

RAJA Careers and Employment Support Event Wednesday 26 January 2022* Open to all REME personnel who are in the resettlement process. REME Reservists, and Veterans are also invited to attend.

A fantastic opportunity to engage with companies that have an Engineering and Technical focus.

Sponsored By Figure 1 www.engage-ltd.co.uk

Figure 2 www.Jacobs.com

The event will be held in the Catterick Garrison For Service Leavers, this is Leisure Centre, DL9 3EL. an excellent networking The majority of opportunity to assist with exhibitors attending are the transition into civilian national companies and employment. have vacancies available across the UK. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact info@rajareme.org *This event could be postponed dependent on COVID-19 social distancing measures at the time.

40 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

Obituaries Lieutenant Colonel Ken Chenneour, 20 January 1930 – 11 October 2021 Lt Col Ken Chenneour passed away peacefully at his Surrey home on 11th October 2021 at the age of 91.

Conscripted for National Service, Ken started his military career in the Royal Signals with postings to Korea and Japan where he immersed himself in the culture learning to speak, read and, to a limited extent, write in Japanese.

Having achieved a commission and completed his National Service, after a brief interlude during which he shelved his plans to become a rubber planter (as this would have entailed indefinite shelving of marriage plans), he re-enlisted. Having seen the error of his ways, this time he enlisted not in the Signals but in REME which was to be his military home for the rest of his service.

The late 50’s was a busy time as Ken completed the degree required to be a REME Officer, married his beloved Eileen and was once again posted to the Far East. The posting to Malaya was quite lively due to the civil unrest of the time but was followed by a posting to Hong Kong, then as now a lively cosmopolitan hub so different from the war-scarred London he had grown up in. Ken and Eileen’s two daughters were born in Hong Kong and after a home posting at Arborfield, the family were posted to Singapore, taking holidays across the causeway in Malaya, a far more peaceful place than it had been 10 years earlier.

Some of Ken’s almost unlimited fund of stories from this period have appeared in the REME ‘Craftsman’ Magazine.

Still in service during the Falkland’s War although very much from a home base, the inevitable retirement loomed. One of the

Lt Col Chenneour

42 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

dafter ideas was to run a shop in the Dales, his mother’s home turf but fortunately, before this came to fruition, Ken was head hunted for the then fledgling organisation BABT – the guys who put the green spots on phones. The job could not have been better suited; with Ken’s REME electronics knowledge combined with his love of all things Japanese, as the market in phones (land line and mobile) exploded, Ken spent a large portion of his working year flying out to Japan whilst dusting off his rusty linguistic skills much to the confusion of his hosts.

The Army and REME, in particular, offered a life that a London lad such as Ken would otherwise never have been able to access; in return he was proud to give decades of service to his Regiment.

Major (Retired) Richard Perryer REME

By Major (Retired) Mike Bailey REME My long-standing friend Richard Perryer who, over the past few years, had slowly developed dementia died in a care home, in Lymington on the 27th August: a service of thanksgiving was held in St Thomas’ Church, Lymington on the 30th September.

Born in Muree on the 30th June 1928 in India, now Pakistan, one of three sons of Brigadier Harold Perryer RE (later REME), at the age of 6 months, returned to the UK with his parents and brothers.

Over the next few years prior to WW2 he and his brothers remained in the UK whist their parents moved between postings both in the UK and abroad. In 1936 Richard entered prep school followed 5 years later when he started at Wellington College: here he remained until joining as an Engineering cadet at Dudley and Staffordshire Technical College.

In 1949 he entered the Army as a Private soldier undergoing basic training before later, in the October, gaining a commission into REME. There followed a spell at Eaton Hall and postings to a variety of units based in BAOR with the Rifle Brigade, Korea, and Libya with the 5th Royal Tank Regiment and as an instructor in military history at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst: many of the friends he made during those years remained with him throughout his life.

Susan writes, “It was at Sandhurst that he met Rosemary, getting married in Brighton in August 1958 and celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversar y this y e a r. Te a c h i n g m i l i t a r y histor y stimulated a new interest but his main pull was towards science, mechanics, c yc l e s a n d m o t o r b i k e s, aeroplanes and machines of all sorts. He was fascinated with cine-cameras, calculators and computers”.

It was in November 1960 that I first met Richard. The train pulled into Taiping station in North Malaya, the doors opened and in marched Richard. “Is Captain Bailey and family here”, he enquired Major (Retired) Richard Perryer i n a f o r t h r i g h t m a n n e r.

“Here”, I responded and gathering up all our belongs including our 9-week-old baby daughter and my wife Netta we hurriedly left the train. We were carted off to stay with Major Harry Malthouse, OC 2 Infantry Workshop REME. At the time there were insufficient married quarters and many families were accommodated in hirings throughout the town. Richard was no exception and come Christmas he invited us over to his place for Christmas lunch, it was there that I became conscious of his hobbies and interests for there as a centre piece in the middle of the table was a stripped-down motor cycle engine!! He loved all things mechanical and would spend many an hour stripping things down and putting them

together again. Eventually we were all allocated a married quarter in the Lake Gardens in the town and it would be nothing to see Richard cycling around the area on his motor-powered bicycle much to the amusement of all of us.

It was normal practice in the unit on a Wednesday to be spent engaged in some form of sport: it was no joke playing football in a temperature of 35 degrees or so and humidity’s upwards of 80%. My interest was motor sport and it was Richard who encouraged me to take part in grass track racing in Kuala Kangsar half way down the road to Ipoh. He was a motor sport enthusiast and along with myself and others would drive the unit’s go-carts in races as far apart as Penang. In 1962 he was posted to Singapore and attached to 99 Gurkha Brigade. I had been posted to 34 Company Gurkha Army Service Corps in Kluang. I entered the euphemistically named Singapore Grand Prix and Richard was there to do all the servicing and time keeping for me.

Susan writes, “He loved spending his time buying and exchanging motor cars, often from colleagues who were being posted on to other places and had a record of ownership of more than 50 cars over his lifetime of which only two of them were new”.

Richard was posted to HQ BAOR Rheindalen in 1963 and later to 23 Base Workshop in Wetter followed by a posting to SEME Bordon finally resigning from the Army in September 1969.

The family now consisting of 3 children, Susan, Caroline and James established themselves in Camberley. Richard joined the firm of Towry Law followed by Willis, Faber and Dumas (WFD) visiting clients on their behalf. Retiring from WFD he and Rosemary, who for many years had been a qualified nurse set up a care home for the elderly, Richard did all the admin and Rosemary did all the caring.

Finally, they moved to Lymington where they both felt much part of the community. He joined the Lymington Sailing Club where he took part in many club activities. He bought a 1936 Bentley and joined the Rolls Royce enthusiasts club: cycling and sailing with many friends they thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years, His son James writes, “We’ve heard a bit about his cars: for me the most memorable of them was a clapped out A35 on which he taught us all to drive; I remember backing the car down to the bottom of the gravel drive and roaring up towards the house, around the rockery and back to the road. This was accompanied by an unwelcome spray of gravel onto the front lawn and being told in no uncertain manner, to remove all the gravel off the grass and remove the tyre tracks. I know how much joy he took from the fun I had in that car. He loved motor bikes especially his Honda 500cc on which I learnt to ride. He was a hard taskmaster and became very annoyed if I should blunt his tools or leave them out in the rain to rust, he was however quick to praise. He had a good and fulfilling life, devoted to his family and a great dad, we shall all miss him”. Hurrah to all that.

B y n ow 1 9 5 1 a n d t h r e e years of service in the Middle East started with No 2 Base Wksp REME Tel-el-Kabir in Eg ypt over hauling 100 engines a week. A brief period of leave involved marrying Joan on 12th July 1952. No 3 Base Wksp Benghazi followed with work on Centurion AFV w i t h a m i x e d M i l i t a r y, German civilian and local staff.

The end of 1954 saw the start of 6 years with BAOR including 2 Armd Wksp REME Lippstadt and LAD at Divisional Signal Regt Herford. The latter included conver ting his 12-year engagement signed during his Artificer training in Bordon to 22 years.

He was selected to join a At Arborfield Technical DEME (BAOR) Work Study School, aged 16 Team in 1959 at Cranfield working on various REME Field projects. This included producing the first standard Procedures for AFV Major Assembly exchanges in the field.

A posting to Gibraltar 55 Garrison Wksp in 1961 followed.

Brigadier M F Scott, then the Inspector of REME took time out from a formal inspection to award the then Artificer Quarter-Master Sergeant T Grant his Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.

Promoted to WO1 a return to the UK followed in 1963 to DDEME Inspection Team at Catterick and then joining 41 Comd Wksp REME in York.

A successful application for a LSR Commission in February 1965 resulted in Promotion to Lieutenant and then joining 19 Tank Transporter Sqn Wksp at Ranby Camp, Retford. On being commissioned his CO noted “Grant is a Warrant Officer of

Major (Retired) Thomas Grant REME Scribe: Alastair Grant (Son) Major (Retired) Thomas Grant REME passed away suddenly on 1st July 2021 aged 93.

As a child he lived in Elie, Fife, leaving Scotland to join the Army Technical School, Arborfield at the age of 15 in 1942.

Signing on with REME on his 18th Birthday in 1945 brought a return to Scotland with REME Dumfries and Command Workshop, Stirling together with an LAD attachment to Bomb Disposal in Great Yarmouth clearing mines off the North Norfolk Beaches.

Two years in Malaya and Singapore followed and successfully passing Artificer selection tests meant promotion to Sgt and a return to the UK for training in Bordon. It was while here that he met a Joan Norris working in the NAAFI as a cashier. Finishing the course in second place meant promotion to SSgt and a role with 6 (Veh) Training Bn which involved setting and marking exam papers for all courses including Junior Officers.

Dad rarely talked about his Army career but he did mention a Vehicle water proofing exercise at Bordon. The test involved driving a Truck through Oakhanger Pond, naturally without testing water depth first. Taking the precaution of sitting on the roof of the cab Dad was swept off by the deluge and had to swim for it. The Driver carried on standing at the controls with Pipe clenched firmly in Jaw. Dad rued that the Camp had a special tank for that kind of test now and felt some of the fun had been taken out of it as a result.

Outside the British Army of Rhine (BAOR), Dad on the right.

Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover 43

outstanding ability. He has a positive flair for organisation and is more than willing to accept the burden of responsibility. Although his quiet manner may suggest otherwise he is in fact a very strong character and is completely loyal and reliable. Promotion to a LS Regular Officer Commission is an achievement gained in the face of considerable competition.”

A return to BAOR meant postings to Verden and Fallingbostel the latter with 7 Field Wksp. Mum and Dad both loved the Army life in Germany with the entertaining and Social Circle which went with it.

Two tours of Northern Ireland in the mid 1970’s were completed and then another return to BAOR finishing with 79 Railway Sqn Wksp.

Retirement as Major in 1981 prompted a return to Bordon and taking a Retired Officers role with HQ REME TA until final retirement in May 1992. This concluded a service career only 4 months short of 50 years.

The return to Bordon meant the chance to play more Golf which was a lifelong interest. He was a long-time member of Blackmoor Golf Club and was proud to be Club Captain in 1992-93.

His wife Joan passed away in 2019 and he is survived by children Pamela and Alastair, a Grandson and two Great Grand Daughters.

Death Notices BOORMAN – Former Cpl Herbert Boorman passed away on 07 October 2021 aged 81. Dates of service 1959 – 1971.

HUMPHREYS – Former SSgt Kenneth Anthony Humphreys passed away on 19 October 2021 aged 73. Dates of service 19711993.

LAURIE – Major (Retd) Robert Buxton Laurie passed away peacefully on 31 July 2021 aged 92. Dates of service 1948-1983.

PERRYER – Major (Retd) Richard Perryer passed away on 28 August 2021 aged 93. Dates of service 1949-1969.

WINTERBOTTOM – Former REME Association standard bearer WO Glyn Winterbottom passed away on 05 October 2021 aged 84.

Dates of service 1960-1982.

Death Notice Requirements In order to publish a death notice we require the following information: Surname, first name, rank, full date of death, ages and dates of service. An obituary with additional career and life information is welcome. To inform us of the death, please contact Ms Bev Bate, Corps Welfare Manager on ( 01249 894523 or  benevolence@reme-rhq.org.uk

Extracts from the London Gazette 12 OCTOBER 2021 REGULAR ARMY Regular Commissions Major C. W. JONES P903604U retires 4 July 2021 Regular Commissions (Late Entry) Lieutenant Colonel J. R. LEES 24755187 retires 4 July 2021 Major P. KENDALL-REID 24794798 retires 24 July 2021 Major R. HENSTOCK 559460 to be Lieutenant Colonel 1 October 2020 (Belated Entry) Major (Acting Lieutenant Colonel) D. WARD 24678638 to be Lieutenant Colonel 9 November 2020 (Belated Entry) Major (Acting Lieutenant Colonel) B. R. BLOOMFIELD 24763381 to be Lieutenant Colonel 14 November 2020 (Belated Entry) Intermediate Regular Commissions (Late Entry) Warrant Officer Class 1 Benn WATHEY 25089509 to be Captain 2 August 2021 Short Service Commissions Captain A. J. MCGINN 30068571 retires 21 July 2021 Lieutenant (Acting Captain) R. F. BLACKSTOCK 30266573 to be Captain 16 December 2020 (Belated Entry)

19 OCTOBER 2021 APPOINTMENTS Colonel I. J. PHILLIPS 535044 is appointed Aide de Camp to The QUEEN 3 September 2021 in succession to Colonel A. J. ROGERS 547179 tenure expired

26 OCTOBER 2021 REGULAR ARMY Intermediate Regular Commissions (Late Entry) Warrant Officer Class 1 Marion Margaret HOER W1040517 to be Captain 4 April 2021 (Belated Entry)

Officer Assignments NAME ASSIGNED TO Lieutenant Colonel COOPER GL HQ FIELD ARMY DCOS EQPT – SO1 ES RESERVES Major WOODS SR TANGHAM HQ – OP TANGHAM – DCOS Captain THOMAS DA 4 ARMD CS BN REME – UNIT WELFARE OFFICER Second Lieutenant ARBUTHNOT GK 1 CS BN REME – 4 COY COMD FWD PL BARRETT-CHAPMAN JAT 2 CS BN REME – 11 COY COMD FWD PL BOXALL RJ 3 ARMD CS BN REME – 20 COY COMD REC PL CHAMPAGNE ABP 6 ARMD CS BN REME – 13 COY COMD ELEC AND GEN PL DRYSDALE AN 1 CS BN REME – 4 COY COMD VEH PL GRIMES OP 4 ARMD CS BN REME – 10 COY COMD FWD PL B HOWE CJ 1 CS BN REME – 12 COY COMD FWD PL JACKSON SM 2 CS BN REME – 7 COY COMD RECY PL AND LAD LAUNDON JD 5FS BN REME – 1 COY COMD PACKS PL MERWAHA K 6 ARMD CS BN REME – 14 COY COMD FWD PL B MORRELL JP 4 ARMD CS BN REME – 9 COY COMD FWD PL A PEARSALL HLM 4 ARMD CS BN REME – 17 COY COMD VEH PL TURNER NS 5 FS BN REME – 2 COY COMD V AND G PL WHITAKER JR 7 AVN SP BN REME – 70 COY COMD ELEC AND GEN PL WILSON WCH 6 ARMD CS BN REME – 14 COY COMD RECY PL 44 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

DATE 14 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 01 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 10 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 10 Dec 21 10 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21 11 Dec 21

Share your global stories with the REME Family The Craftsman Magazine showcases the activities of the Corps all over the world in our monthly Global Reach feature. Whether you’re involved in an Exercise, an Operation, or participating in Sport, this is your opportunity to share your experiences with the REME Family.

To be featured, simply send a few sentences (and some photos) telling us where you are, why you are there, and what you are doing.

Send to the Craftsman Editor at: craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk Please ensure all Global Reach submissions have been cleared by the CoC. We cannot accept anything that is Of昀cial-Sensitive (OS) or higher AND it must have been cleared for public knowledge.

The REME Charity The Trustees of The REME Charity acknowledge with sincere thanks the donations received during the month of OCTOBER 2021. They also wish to acknowledge the regular subscriptions received from the Officers and Soldiers of the Corps and retired members of the REME Institution:

Donations

KEEP CALM AND

WRITE

FOR THE CRAFTSMAN

We need your stories.

Whether reporting on an Exercise or Operation, reviewing a Sporting Event, or detailing your trade or experience within the REME Family, we want to hear from you!

We also accept Covid-19-related content and welcome your news.

Please email your stories to: craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

21/09/2021 21/09/2021 21/09/2021 21/09/2021 21/09/2021 27/09/2021 04/10/2021 06/10/2021 05/10/2021 05/10/2021 05/10/2021 05/10/2021

26/10/2021 28/10/2021

From Amount Southern Venture 7 Regt RLC LAD . . . . . . . . . . .£15.23 Road to Glory White Collar Boxing . . . . . . . . . . .£30.00 Virtual London Marathon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£35.00 Swim the Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£20.00 Hayley Costanzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£15.00 CAFGYE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5.00 The Late Patricia Hughes . . . . . . . . . . . . .“£118,919.55” Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“£1,000.00” 2 CS BN REME 2BN Donation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£304.14 2 CS BN REME 2BN BurmaDonation . . . . . . . .£396.59 Money raised during OP TOSCA by a member of 1 BN attatched to 6 Reg . . . . . . . . .£190.30 Mal McWinnie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£20.00 Lifting the Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£70.00 1 Royal Anglian LAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5.00 Sam Melvin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5.24 Nick Brock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£30.00 Site Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£25.83 7RLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£115.81 Date sent to Craftsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29/10/2021 Total Donations (Oct) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“£120,602.69” Total £’s paid in Grants (Oct) . . . . . . . . . . .“£21,542.97” No. Grants (Oct) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Average Grant (Oct) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£652.81

If you would like to see how your money is spent, we welcome one or two observers at The REME Charity meetings. The meetings are held midweek, approximately every three weeks. If you would like to observe a meeting, please contact The REME Charity Secretary on ( Mil: 95481 4527 or Civ: 01249 894527 in the first instance.

The REME Charity is here for both veterans and serving personnel in times of hardship or need. Contact via SSAFA ( 0800 731 4880 www.ssafa.org.uk or The Royal British Legion ( 0808 802 8080  www.britishlegion.org.uk or your Unit Welfare if serving. All enquiries and information is dealt with in the strictest confidence. If you wish to discuss any benevolence need you can contact us on ( 01249 894523.

Anyone wishing to leave a legacy to The REME Charity, which is exempt from inheritance tax, can add a codicil to their will. Our registered charity number is 1165868

YOUR MAGAZINE NEEDS

YOU YOU The Craftsman Magazine exists for The REME Family but it is only kept going because you provide the articles in it.

From engineering to fencing, if it is about the Corps you can write an article about it.

See inside the front cover for guidelines.

Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover 45

SUDOKU Easy

Hard

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

Corps Diary Dates December 2021 For all event enquiries, please email REMERHQ-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

JANUARY 2022 19

Commanding Officers CABAL & Dinner Night

20

Corps Dinner Night

22

REME Reserves Management Board (Teams)

FEBRUARY 2022 25

Regimental Guest Night

MARCH 2022 10

Spring Guest Dinner Night

23

REME Reserves Management Board. (Lyneham)

23

Broxhead Dinner and AGM

M AY 2 0 2 2 19

Corps Dinner Night

JUNE 2022

Colonels Commandant Night

APRIL 2022 07

21

Corps WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess Dinner Night

46 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk

29-30

REME Festival of Sport (FoS)

30

REME Sports Association Awards Dinner Night

REME Reunion Weekend 2022 To be held ld at: 4* Eastwood Hallll Hotel, Mansfield Road, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3SS

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th Aprill 2022 Eitherr 1, 2 or 3 nights Half lf Board, en suite accommodation A 15% reduction in normal bar prices will apply all weekend Pre-Dinner Drinks receptions Friday and Saturday Gala Night Dinner and Port for the loyal toast Live entertainment each evening Free use of swimming pool and gymnasium facilities Saturday coach shuttle service to and from Nottingham city centre Numerous daytime fun activities throughout the weekend

Option 1 - 3 nights package £224 perr pers rson Option 2 - 2 nights package £174 perr pers rson Option 3 - 1 night package £95 perr person (Limited availa labilility) BOOKING FORM Package Choice(s) (Please indicate quantity required) Option 1 ________ Option 2 ________ Option 3 ________ Personall Details ls REME Assn Branch (if applicable) ______________________________ Name ________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________ Post Code____________________________________________________ Mobile/Telephone Number _____________________________________ Additional names included in this booking: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Total number of guests inclu luded in this booking _____ Numberr of Rooms required re Double ____ Twin ____ Single ____ Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate all special requests this can only be done on a first come first served basis and cannot be guaranteed. A limited number of disabled rooms are available.

Speciall Require rements (dietary/walking/hearing difficulties etc) ______________________________________________________________ All prices are inclusive of VAT at the current rate.

Book Now to avoid disappointment, places are limited.

Cheques to be made payable to IOW IO Tours Please return this form with your remittance to: Mount Pleasant (IO IOW) Ltd trading as IOW IO Tours 51 High Street, Shanklin, Isle Is of Wight. PO37 6JJ JJ *** Bookings can also be made by credit/debit card at the number below *** Tel elephone (01983) 405116

In 26 acres of landscaped gardens, this hotel is 15 minutes’ walk from central Eastwood, the birthplace of DH Lawrence.

It has a fitness centre, outdoor tennis court, indoor swimming pool and sauna.

Itinerary Friday 15:00 13:00

Arrive Lounge bar in the foyer opens

17:30 18:30 20:00

Welcome Drink Dinner Fun Casino and entertainment

Saturday 07:30

Breakfast Coach Shuttle to Nottingham City

*** V a r i o u s d a y t i m e a c t i v i t i e s *** 16:15 18:15 19:15

Standards Rehearsal Standards Parade Gala Dinner and entertainment

07:30 09:00 09:30 10:15 10:30 18:30 Monday

Breakfast Padre & Standards Rehearsal Church Service with Standards Tea/Coffee and Biscuits REME Association Conference Dinner

Sunday

07:00 11:00

Breakfast Final Departures

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