102 Bn REME Driving Local Engagement

102 Bn REME

Driving Local Engagement

Youth Engagement at 153 Coy

Nothing is closer to the heart of the Bn and Corps than its responsibility to professional engineering, dedicated service and engagement with the local populace. A large part of that is ensuring continued support and drive for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities, as well as Esprit de Corps –right from the lowest level. As such the Sub-Units of 102 Bn REME take their associations with their local communities and Army Cadet Force (ACF) detachments seriously; routinely supporting the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV) in the conduct of military training and hosting Cadets and college students to look at life events in their local Army Reserve Centre (ARC).

157 Coy welcome a new group to the REME family

(Scribe: Capt Sharrott)

As all good stories go, this one began with coffee and a chat. The result of which was a new affiliation between the local Holywood RLC ACF Detachment and 157 (DS) Coy REME. To put the story into context, Maj Brian Cuthbert-Imrie (OC 157 (DS) Coy) was approached by Lt Col Scot Rankin (Cadet Executive Officer 2nd (NI) Bn ACF) to gauge if there was any interest between 157 (DS) Coy and the local Cadets getting together. Over the coming months internal meetings were held within 2nd (NI) Bn ACF to discuss the viability of a move from their RLC affiliation to REME.

Subsequently OC 157 met with Lt Col Rankin over Skype (on New

Cadets with cap badges ACF building bridge structures

Year’s Eve no less!) to discuss plans on how to best approach the layout of the event, plus the added G4 responsibilities. Later that afternoon and happy on how we were to proceed, Capt

Kelly Sharratt (2IC 157 (DS) Coy) and WO2 (CSM) Johnston met with Lt Col Rankin and his SSM in Kinnegar Logistic Base to conduct a visual walk-through talk-through of the upcoming event. It was to be presided over by Lt Col M Leach (CO 102 Bn

REME) and WO1 (RSM) Pearson with VIP guests such as: Col J

Rollins MBE (Chief Executive, Reserve Forces and Cadets

Association NI), Col D Kane OBE (Col Cdts 38X), Col S Anderson (Comdt 2nd (NI) Bn ACF), and three ACF Padres. On the night of the event, 157 (DS) Coy were prepped and ready to go at 1900hrs.The Cadets in attendance were looking both a bit nervous and excited but all were extremely well turned out and a credit to their unit. CO 102 Bn REME warmly welcomed the Cadets into the REME family and presented each

Cadet with their new REME cap badge. To bring the evening to a close, the Cadets were taken over to the main workshop and introduced to the REME trades within the Company. A thoroughly good evening was had by all in attendance, and 157 (DS) Coy will continue to engage with the new REME Cadet

Detachment to drive and grow within the community both interest in STEM and strong relationships with the Corps.

ACF Leaderless Task

Local Cadets and Youth Group enjoy a fun excursion to 153 Coy

(Scribe: Sgt Swan)

Approximately 40 Cadets from Glasgow & Lanarkshire ACF and local youth group (with many a tag along visitors - probably due to the renowned “lovely lunch” provided by the military chefs on strength!) attended a one-day excursion to visit 153 Coy. Viewing various stands on the multitude of kit and equipment utilised within the REME Reserves. The Cadets and members of the youth group had a fantastic time as always and left the engagement team with many a heart-warming comment, a snippet of some of the feedback received was:

“The uniforms were amazing!” from James.

“Was fun and learned a lot” from Allan.

“Very interesting” from Dina.

“Amazing!” from Charlize

“I enjoyed the Pipes & Drums - especially the drumming bit” from Callum.

Cadets from Scunthorpe partake in a look at life visit to 146 Coy

(Scribe: SSgt Ruvino)

It had been some time since the Cadets last visited Budd VC Barracks; due to Covid it had taken a lot of planning to get them there and so it was a concerted effort to make sure the Coy provided a fun and informative event. Several stands were set up for them, one being led by LCpl Morrisroe with assistance of Pte Patchett on the various pieces of kit that are used in the field on exercise and the vast contents that can be magically squeezed into a bergen!

Afterwards and more on the fun side, to break up some of the more serious stands, LCpl Lenton asked them to build a bridge of their own design using dried spaghetti and marshmallows. There were some very interesting constructions and some clear early engineering talent in the audience, but I think the highlight of this for the majority was that they could eat the marshmallows afterwards!

Sgt Croot then gave them an informative insight into layering systems and dressing for outdoor activities, so not just their parents were telling them to put on a hat when it’s cold or to protect themselves in hot weather! This lesson got them thinking more than the previous two on the seriousness of climatic conditions and provided good food for thought to end the evening on.

A great evening was had by all, with the CFAV Instructors saying it made a nice change to observe them being taught by someone other than themselves and they looked forward to making this a routine occurrence again post Covid-19.

Durham ACF learning about field kitchens

Durham Cadets put through their paces at 124 Coy

(Scribe: WO2 Downs)

102 Bn REME offers various opportunities for REME affiliated Cadets, to attend organised trips to their local REME Reserve unit to undergo a round robin of stands. Recently 124 Coy were please to host Belmont School (Durham) Cadets on one such event, with the day including a host of command tasks, military stands with equipment, a vehicle stand with our Service Vehicle Recovery (SVR), and an insight into cooking for troops

Durham ACF bashering up

with a field kitchen. These practical leadership and STEM events help further develop their skills and open their eyes to new pathways and essential attributes such as teamwork and critical thinking. Imparting important skills which will be invaluable to them in later life.

Cadet forces are nationally recognised, so joining is a great way to impress universities and prospective employers in the future. These bright young individuals are a credit to their organisations and demonstrate a very good motto which is appropriate to all to remember – it is never too early to be prepared!

Capt Yarker presented with his fourth Jubilee Medal

Durham Cadets at 102 Bn REME

as the representatives of Her Majesty the Queen for each county in the United Kingdom. Each Lord-Lieutenant is appointed directly by Her Majesty, on the advice of the Prime Minister. 102 Bn REME were honoured to host the 2022 Durham Lieutenancy Awards Ceremony at the Newton Aycliffe Army Reserve Centre; especially as one of our own, WO2 (RQMS) Kev Mumford, was due to be presented with his own award by Mrs Susan (Sue) Snowdon Esq, HM Lord-Lieutenant (HMLL) for the County Durham. The event was exceptionally well organised and ran by 124 Recovery Company personnel, predominantly by the outgoing Permanent Administrative Staff Officer (PSAO), Captain Kevin (Kev) Yarker, who was imminently due to retire after an astonishing 48year career in uniformed service! In recognition of his hard work in organising a spectacular event and for his long and dedicated service, HMLL gladly agreed to surprise Kev by presenting him with his Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal miniature at the event; highlighting his unique situation in being one of only a few people in the country to have received all four Jubilee medals. The biggest surprise perhaps of all though was that the Adjt managed to get through reading out all 21 award citations on the evening without losing his voice! The entire night was enjoyed by all and was a great example of how to recognise outstanding achievements and dedication across the whole spectrum of service.

102 Bn host Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Durham Awards Ceremony

The annual Lord-Lieutenants’ Awards for Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs), Cadets and employees of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Organisations of the Armed Forces are also recognised with additional laudatory honours throughout the Ministry of Defence. These awards are intended to supplement the Honours bestowed by HM The Queen in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists, and, in precedence, rank after such awards. Each year, these awards are presented by the relevant regional Lord-Lieutenant

Post re-badging group shot