Town’s troops honoured for humanitarian work abroad
Officers and soldiers of the County Town’s Army unit have been recognised for their humanitarian efforts around the world.
The 36 Engineer Regiment, based at Invicta Park Barracks in Maidstone, has been awarded the Firmin Sword of Peace for works overseas from July 2018 to January 2019.
It is one of the highest accolades that can be bestowed upon a military establishment and recognises activities above and beyond a unit’s normal role that are judged to have improved relations within a community either in the UK or overseas.
On July 21, 270 members of the unit were on parade prior to receiving the honour from Commander Field Army Lt Gen Ivan Jones.
It was a smaller representation than the normal 650 personnel from the regiment to allow for greater social distancing.
Among the endeavours earning recognition was the engineering support provided to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan with the building of a new hospital, work in Kenya on Exercise Askari Storm and disaster relief during Hurricane Irma.
The mission to Kenya involved exercises which included civil engineering projects and medical deployments to provide primary health care assistance to the civilian community.
In 2017 the British Army had hundreds of troops on the ground as part of relief efforts after Hurricane Irma left a trail of devastation when it swept through the Caribbean.
Part of the citation for the award read: “The regiment’s soldiers and officers were never found wanting and their collective efforts, professionalism and selflessness delivered relief that makes the world a safer place for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.”
The regiment was also specifically praised for its delivery of UK support on Operation Trenton, where it was charged with providing construction engineering support to the UN in South Sudan.
This involved the building of a new hospital, the reconstruction of another and the construction of a much-needed route for the world food programme to deliver aid supplies. Commanding officer Lt Col Mark Jones MBE began proceedings by inviting Lt Gen Jones to issue a number of commendation awards to individuals, before stepping forward to receive the sword on behalf of the regiment.
Lt Col Jones said: “It is fantastic to be receiving recognition for the regiment’s 650 officers and soldiers, a collective effort which has made a real difference to the world.
“We served in a number of different areas throughout 2018 and to receive the sword means that their collective effort in all things humanitarian has been deservedly recognised.
“To be part of something that has made a tangible difference to both the UN and more importantly to the local people of South Sudan is truly humbling. “We are one team amongst a bigger team in a truly remarkable organisation, of which I choose to be a part of and am very proud to serve in and alongside my officers and soldiers.”
Lt Col Jones was also honoured with the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service.
Among those also recognised for their individual service were, L Cpl Manoj and WO2 SSM Hurren.
Manoj, who has now been promoted to Corporal, was awarded the General Officer Commanding Force Troop Commander’s Commendation. He said: “I am very happy to be awarded a Commendation. I was a very young soldier in 2017 when I took the command for Exercise Cambrian patrol which secured the regiment a gold medal for the first time in history but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The deployment to Kenya on Ex Askari Storm and the efforts put in to ensure deployment took place was certainly a challenge but for me it was my job and I just got it done, it’s been fantastic and an absolute pleasure.”