Just over 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are now actively involved in supporting the NHS including soldiers now carrying out coronavirus testing at various locations. Sappers from 26 Engineer Regiment from Perham Down have been working on the Birmingham Nightingale Hospital.

A total of 9.1 per cent of the defence workforce have reported as being absent from their usual place of work due to reasons related to COVID-19. Fewer than 100 service personnel have tested positive for coronavirus.

Over the Easter weekend 105 British Army families were repatriated from training bases in Kenya and Nepal and allocated fully furnished newly built SFA in Larkhill.

A call has gone out to former military personnel who have left the Army in the last 12 months to invite them to rejoin their former regiments.

In Tidworth, 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion, REME celebrated their 20th birthday with a virtual birthday cake competition. Photos of the cakes were uploaded and the cake with most likes was made the winner.

Despite social distancing, the Bn is still carrying out military training. Soldiers go to the Guardroom, pick up a map, compass and question sheet and complete a navigation exercise, they can go in pairs if they keep the two meter distance.

n On 17 Mar 20, sappers deployed on Ex SAILFISH 20/1 conducted defence engagement with the Belize Defence Force (BDF) Light Engineer Company. 7 Tp’s Belizean national, Cpl Pinks, took the lead and taught a section of BDF light Engineers the principles and skills of basic field force protection. This skill was then put to practice as the BDF section along with three sappers from 33 AES completed a 200m type 1 concertina fence.

n 8 members of 4 Bn REME are competing on Thursday night in the World Tactical Racing League Team Time Trial, putting their teamwork to the test against around 150 teams from across the globe. All team members are distancing and/or isolating to do their bit.