The Army has introduced a number of measures in the light of the COVID19 situation, but there are no troops deployed in the South West at the moment. Salisbury Plain units are all armoured and they are heavily involved in the Estonia roulement.

This places a severe strain on both soldiers and their families and Lieutenant Colonel Chris Head, Commanding Officer First Fusiliers sent a letter to all ranks and families: ‘Our deployment (to Estonia) remains vitally important. First Fusiliers Battle Group are playing a vital role on behalf of the UK to promote and maintain peace in Europe.’

“I fear that the greater challenge, and the one that is probably causing you most concern, is the situation here in UK and how you families may be affected…I appreciate the additional burden you will carry because your loved one is deployed with me in Estonia.’

He then lists all the contact numbers for families who may need assistance and ends ‘We ask an awful lot of you, and I’m afraid we are asking for even more now. Please be kind and look after each other, ask for help if you need it and as a Fusilier Family we will overcome.’

All overseas training has stopped and a company of 1 Royal Welsh on exercise in Germany will return. All military sporting fixtures have ceased. Sone troops are being withdrawn from Iraq and face-to-face recruiting has stopped.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) refused to confirm whether or not personnel would be involved but added “There are absolutely no plans to send military personnel to guard supermarkets.”

Scientists at Porton Down laboratories are among those contributing to the Coronavirus response.

SPEEDY HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY

The Regimental Cresta team have recently taken part in the Cresta championships in Switzerland. Their pairs came 1st to 5th in the Inter-Regimental Paris competition, 1st-4th in individual, with 3 of their novices qualifying for the Army Squad!

NATIONAL AWARD FOR SAPPER

Lance Corporal Dee Bolakoro of 6 Headquarters & Support Squadron of 22 Engineer Regiment has been awarded the 2019 Communities Fiji Britain Inspirational Woman

Dee is an Army netball player and is a member of the Celtic Dragons netball team