This year’s Exercise Cambrian Patrol saw the usual mix of torrential weather, demanding tasks and exhausting terrain.
Cambrian Patrol 2025, group image of Northumbrian University Officers Training Corps. Front row kneeling is Officer Cadet Adam Wilson and Officer Cadet Jack Morgan. Top row is Officer Cadet Euan Hansen, Officer Cadet Tristan Rich, Officer Cadet Anne-Marie Harding, Officer Cadet Danielle Johnstone, Officer Cadet Charles Eccles and Officer Cadet Jack Morgan.
1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps patrolling towards the final phase, section attack.
1 Regiment, the Royal Logistic Corps are going the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear warfare phase.
1 Regiment, the Royal Logistic Corps are going the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear warfare phase.
Officer Cadet Anne-Marie Harding from Northumbrian University Officers Training Corps
But from the two weekend phases involving Reserve and University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) teams, one standout patrol emerged.
That was Northumbria UOTC who were awarded the most marks among the 30 patrols during those phases and helped them win an illustrious gold medal.
"I was so proud of everyone when we finished and it was a massive team effort."
Patrol Commander, Officer Cadet Anne-Marie Harding, 23, described the achievement as “massively rewarding” for the effort her team put in over 48-hours across the notorious Welsh hills of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
Team effort
“I was so proud of everyone when we finished and it was a massive team effort,” said Anne-Marie, who is studying history and Russian at Durham University.
“There are always peaks and troughs when you’re doing it, quite literally, especially in mid-Wales in October and you know you’re in for a hefty challenge on Cambrian Patrol.
“No matter how much you prepare you know things are not always going to go to plan, but it’s then about how you quickly adapt and push on.”
"I’ve completed three previous Cambrians, but didn’t know anything about it before I went to university."
Exercise Cambrian Patrol is organised and run by 160th (Welsh) Brigade, based in Brecon, the British Army’s headquarters in Wales.
It has been held annually since 1959 and is respected by military partners around the world as NATO’s toughest patrolling test.
This year more than 100 teams were entered into the eight phases: 56 Regular; 12 Reserve; 18 UOTC; and 34 international patrols, with two combined British Army Regular and International patrols included.
Anne-Marie, who is from Ealing, London, said: “I’ve completed three previous Cambrians, but didn’t know anything about it before I went to university.
“To do well you have to immerse yourself into it.
“It’s down to each team member to pull each other through, even during the silly things like getting stuck in a bog in heavy ground.
"It’s really demanding on the legs and with the additional weight on your back."
“I think I’m bringing a lot of the Welsh landscape back in my bergen.
“It’s really demanding on the legs and with the additional weight on your back.
“But then there’s the adrenaline of the tasks when you approach them and that lifts you from your tiredness.”
The exercise presents a mock operational scenario and troops battle prep before proceeding on the 48-hour mission.
As Northumbria UOTC navigated a 40-mile route they came across a series of events and challenges, such as: medical and casualty evacuation scenarios; a test of their ability to move through minefields; intelligence gathering; response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats; the ability to conduct artillery fires and vehicle recognition; all before having to attack an enemy position and deal with prisoners of war.
To complete the challenge Anne-Marie had to write a report and recall all key information at the debrief, which forms a key part of the scoring process to assess whether they were awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal, or a completion coin.
Getting the gold
“The key thing was ensuring we trained in advance of getting to Wales and building that team cohesion and I had a great 2IC (Second-In-Command) as well,” said Anne-Marie.
“On some of the drills I felt we’d done well, but you always feel there’s more to learn when it comes to crafting military skills.
"Cambrian Patrol certainly lives up to its reputation and presents an excellent challenge."
“It means everything to get a gold medal and there’s a smaller percentage of those who achieve the elite award, so that feels hugely rewarding for the effort we put in.”
Anne-Marie will be on the September intake next year to join the Regular Army through Sandhurst.
She said: “Cambrian Patrol certainly lives up to its reputation and presents an excellent challenge.
“The UOTC offers great opportunities, this event being one of them, and I’ve been able to take advantage of the Army Bursary too, which helps fund your studies.
“It’s been a great experience and I’m looking forward to so much more.”
