Soldiers of 225 Field Squadron (Fd Sqn) Royal Monmouthshire, Royal Engineers (Militia) (RMONREM) have undertaken a busy action-packed year of training which has seen soldiers develop Soldier First Syllabus, specific to role, and conceptual training covering a host of topics and disciplines.
225 Fd Sqn RMONREM recruit and deliver training weekly on Wednesdays across three locations from Stoke, Cannock and Oldbury and undertake various training weekend exercises throughout the year. Ranging from Adventurous Training, field-based exercises, shooting, demolitions and battlefield studies, the 2024/2025 training year has seen our soldiers continue to build upon already taught skills and knowledge whilst developing new ones.
With an opportunity to undertake eight Sub-Unit Weekends (SUW), four Regimental training weekends, and three Professional Development weekends throughout the year, our soldiers have proved once again that life in the Army Reserves, along with a good balance of civilian employment, can be as exciting and worthwhile as ever before.
Training Year (sub-unit) 24/25
SUW 1 Ex BOARS CHALLENGE, 19-21 Apr 24
Adventurous training weekend at Halton Training Camp (Lancaster), Hartsop Village, Lake
district. Took part in navigation, mountain biking and paddle boarding.
SUW 2 Ex BOARS TRENCH, 17-19 May 24
Light Role Combat Engineer training weekend at Caerwent (Monmouthsire). For four person
battle trench / field fortifications and Military Plant Engineer training.
SUW 3 Ex BOARS SHOT, 19-21 Jul 24
Range weekend at Beckingham (Lincolnshire) for Annual Combat Marksmanship Test (ACMT)
SUW 4 Ex BOARS BANG, 06-08 Sept 24
Demolitions training weekend at Winterbourne Gunner (Wiltshire) for basic demolitions,
navigation and CBRN.
SUW 5 Ex BOARS ARROW, 18-20 Sept 24
Light Role Combat Engineer training weekend at Swynnerton (Staffordshire) for
orders process, command leadership of JNCOs and Soldiers.
SUW 6 Ex BOARS REMEMBRANCE, 09-10 Nov 24
Remembrance Weekend at Army Reserve Centre (Oldbury) for ranges, foot drill, Remembrance
Parade.
SUW 7 Ex BOARS CRACKER, 06-08 Dec 24
Festive Celebration at Vauxhall Camp (Monmouth) for festive seasonal dinner and geo-cashing.
SUW 8 Ex BOARS CASSINO, 26 Feb-02 May 25
Battlefield Study and Cassino, Rome (Italy) for study of the Amazon Bridge Crossing
(May 1944).
Highlights
Annual Continuous Training
In June 2024 the Squadron deployed to the Bailiwick of Jersey to conduct the Regimental Annual Continuous Training Camp. The camp was the first opportunity for soldiers from across the Regiment to tick off en-masse some of the mandated Individual training requirements as part of the Army Reserve Certificate of Efficiency. They put Reservists through their paces ranging from, shooting, basic casualty drills, section competition, field exercise, bayonet training and urban operations. There was also an opportunity to upskill soldiers and officers across all ranks in Health & Safety, in the form of SRM Assessor and Practitioner training.
Ex BOARS CRACKER
This was the first opportunity to conduct an all-ranks (silver-service) festive dinner in the opulent surroundings of the Officers Mess at Regimental Headquarters in Monmouth. The dinner was well received by all and in particular the Junior Ranks due to not naturally experiencing such an occasion.
Ex BOARS CASSINO
This was the Squadrons first overseas Battlefield Study in a few years and the first sub-unit planned and executed battlefield study of the Battles for Monte Cassino, specifically the Amazon Bridge crossing 11-13 May 1944 famously depicted in Terence Cuneo’s painting, ‘Bridging the Rapido at Monte Cassino’. This is of specific interest to the Squadron as it is celebrated annually by way of an Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers dinner due to the Squadrons predecessors, 225 Field Company Royal Engineers playing a key role. This was the first time in 81 years that a serving Officer Commanding (OC), Major Martha Fairlie and elements of the sub-unit would have the opportunity to stand on both banks of the River Rapido in commemoration of the heroic efforts played out during World War Two.
Certificate of Efficiency.
On completion of a fantastic training year, a total of 45 Soldiers and Officers from the Squadron successfully completed all mandated training and attained their Certificate of Efficiency for Training Year 24/25. A great effort by all!
Recruiting, postings and service leavers.
Sergeant Nigel McIntosh and his team as always have ensured there has been a steady stream of new joiners into the Squadron this year culminating in five recently fully qualified recruits either having successfully passed or about to pass their Phase Two Combat Sapper, combat engineer training.
Best of wishes go out to all those who have taken up posting elsewhere across the Army Reserve or upon leaving service. Particular thanks and best of luck for the future to the recent Squadron Sergeant Major, WO2 Shaun Dolman on completion of 34 years of service.
As Major Martha Fairlie prepares to handover command of the Squadron to Major Anthony Harmes we would like to pass on our best wishes for the future and look forward to welcoming the new OC into the fold.
New challenges.
Training Year 25/26 will see the sub-unit conduct more of the same training as last with the added task of developing new skills and knowledge in preparation to work alongside 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron. 225 Fd Sqn RMONREM as part of the Regiment will now operate in the Bank Support role to the British Army’s Amphibious capability with the first test being the deployment to Sennelager, Germany later in the year on Ex TITAN STORM 25.
Round-Up.
A massive thank you to all within the Regiment and Squadron and far afield who have help shape and deliver another successful training year, without such efforts the end product would never be the same. From the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, Royal Engineers Association, the range staff up and down the country, your efforts are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to continuing these valuable relationships into the future.
Find out more at 225 Field Squadron, RMONREM.
Find out more about the Army Reserve.
Published 05/06/2025
