Reservist’s exceptional leadership shines amid flurry of gold medals

A Lance Corporal serving with the Queen’s Own Yeomanry (QOY) received high praise for leading his depleted team to the end of Exercise Cambrian Patrol.

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Lance Corporal Buckley from Queens Own Yeomanry presents his individual award.

Lance Corporal Buckley is pictured with his award after completing the 66th annual Cambrian Patrol.

A group photo of Queens Own Yeomanry alongside Albanian 3rd Battalion Infantry.

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Matthew Buckley, 30, stepped up when three of the eight soldiers in his joint QOY and Albanian Army patrol were withdrawn.

They were unable to continue on the 40-mile route through the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) due to a mix of exhaustion and injury, sustained on the first 24 hours of the two-day arduous test.

Lance Corporal Matthew Buckley, from Manchester, said: “It was a trial by fire really and a bit of a disaster, initially dealing with losing members of the section, including the patrol commander.

“It was a case of stumbling through some of the first serials, but it was very clear the rest of the section still really wanted to get the job done.

“We wanted to get something from the whole experience, particularly some of the soldiers who travelled from their home country and spent months training for Cambrian.

“One Albanian soldier and two QOY members had to withdraw as we approached the water crossing.

“This was caused by a mix of sheer exhaustion and some badly damaged feet along the way, having gone through some particularly nasty, muddy ground, with a lot of weight on our backs.

“Losing three of the eight was a bit of a morale low point for everyone.”

At that point Matthew stepped up as patrol commander and also appointed a new second-in-command to continue on what is regarded as the toughest test of basic military skills, endurance, and will to win anywhere in NATO.

“There were translation issues throughout, but we managed to do what we could to understand each other and that got smoother as we went along.

“But that first night and the constant struggle with the 40kg weight on our backs, having to navigate the thick mud, was probably the toughest element to contend with.

“People were falling in and using so much energy to haul themselves free from the heavy ground.

“This exercise absolutely lived up to its reputation as the most challenging patrols test in the world I think, with incredibly realistic training scenarios.

“We don’t often train in such realistic situations with the Reserves, so it’s all valuable experience.”   

Deputy Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade, Colonel Sion Walker OBE, presented Matthew with a Commander’s Coin and Completion Certificate for this team on behalf of the head of the Army in Wales, Brigadier Mark Davis CBE.

Matthew, who previously worked in information technology, said: “Yes, it was very nice for your efforts to be acknowledged in such a way, especially when it’s done in front of a room packed with patrols who received gold medals.

“Plus, the PSAO (Permanent Staff Administration Officer) promised two weeks adventurous training skiing if I got through, so that’s a nice bonus.”

Colonel Walker said: “LCpl Buckley displayed exceptional leadership over the 48 hours and this is what Cambrian Patrol is all about.

“When members of his team were unable to continue, he stepped up and got the rest of his combined patrol to where they are today, here in front of what is an unprecedented awards ceremony which features nine gold medals.

“That amount of top awards in a single phase has never happened before.

“LCpl Buckley’s efforts in getting the combined Queen’s Own Yeomanry and Albanian Army patrol all the way through this event will feel like an elite award in itself, given the circumstances.

“An outstanding display of leadership and determination to complete the exercise.”