Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, as Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), has attended the 25th anniversary of 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME at their headquarters in Tidworth, Wiltshire.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh attends the parade.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh inspects and talks to soldiers and officers on parade.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh is standing on a dais looking out over a parade square.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh planting a tree.
In front of guests and families, Her Royal Highness inspected personnel from the regiment with a musical accompaniment provided by the Band of the Coldstream Guards.
We are here today to celebrate this wonderful milestone, and I would just like to wish you all a happy 25th anniversary."
Speaking at the event, The Duchess said:
“Congratulations to all of you for a truly magnificent parade."
"We are here today to celebrate this wonderful milestone, and I would just like to wish you all a happy 25th anniversary.”
4 Battalion REME, officially known as 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME, was formed on April 1, 2000. It was created by grouping together 9 Armoured Close Support Company, 10 Armoured Company, and 17 Field Support Company. The Battalion's primary role is to provide close equipment support to the British Army's armoured units. Initially stationed in Bordon, the battalion relocated to Tidworth Camp in March 2010.
In 2022, Her Royal Highness became the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of the REME, taking on the role held by The Duke of Edinburgh for over 50 years.
Today is very significant for us. Many of the soldiers may have missed parades in the past because of Covid restrictions or due to training or being deployed on exercises, so to have the opportunity to march in front of their families and march in front of our Colonel-in-Chief is really special."
During the event held on Salisbury Plain, The Duchess planted a Maple tree outside the Battalion Headquarters (The Maple leaf is a reference to the unit’s past when they were based at Borden Camp. It was here that they were associated with the Canadian Army during both World Wars).
Lieutenant Colonel Matt Cary, Commanding Officer of 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME:
“Today is very significant for us. Many of the soldiers may have missed parades in the past because of Covid restrictions or due to training or being deployed on exercises, so to have the opportunity to march in front of their families and march in front of our Colonel-in-Chief is really special.”
Looking ahead, we continue to modernize. We have our own validation training next year and we continue to support our NATO partners on Op Cabrit. So, lots to look forward to."
The Battalion has remained deeply engaged in European defence initiatives, taking part in Exercise Black Eagle – a multinational training operation in Poland, where the Battalion supported the King’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup in a mission designed to deter Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. The Battalion regularly supports Operation Cabrit and has played a major part in the wider NATO exercise, Operation Steadfast Defender.
A much-deserved summer break lies ahead for the personnel of 4th Battalion REME. Once autumn comes the work begins again, as Lieutenant Colonel Cary explains:
“Looking ahead, we continue to modernize. We have our own validation training next year and we continue to support our NATO partners on Operation Cabrit. So, lots to look forward to.”