Institution news
The British Army’s only field gun crew won the prestigious competition for the second time - the first was in 2005. The team was supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers with a £1,000 award from the Educational Awards Committee (EAC).
Constituted primarily of aircraft technicians from the REME battalion, the team won the three main trophies at the competition - commonly known as ‘the Brickwoods’ - after three months of intense training, showing great team work, impeccable timing, attention to detail and, above all, stamina.
Richard Gray BSc CEng FIMechE MCIWM, Chairman of the EAC at the Institution, commented on the success of the REME team, and the reasons why the committee backed the application.
Richard said: “We were delighted that the REME team were so successful in the competition. This was a rather unusual request for the EAC to consider but under the broad scope of our Special Purpose Award we felt that this was worthy of support for the huge team-building benefits gained from competing. As a bonus, it presented the opportunity to promote the Institution at this high-profile military event.”
Supported by the Institution
Lt Matthew Le Maistre, a naval exchange officer ‘running’ with the soldiers at REME throughout the preparation for, and victory at, the Brickwoods, thanked the Institution for its support.
Matthew said: “The £1,000 award enabled us to offset the cost of our running shirts, which bared the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ logo on the arms; and it also allowed us to purchase energy drinks and supplies for a week of training and competition at HMS Collingwood. Without this award the sustainability of our enduring commitment to this competition beyond this year may have been put into doubt.”
“This event allows REME technicians at Wattisham to show their courage, discipline, physical strength and commitment, to a large audience. The training proved to be physically gruelling, and was all carried out in the soldiers’ spare time. Every individual’s commitment was commendable, alongside a full day’s work as a technician,” he added.
The Brickwoods dates back to 1907, when it was held in celebration of a Naval Brigade action which took place during the Boer War in 1899. Artillery support was required in the garrison town of Ladysmith, and the urgent transportation of six two-tonne guns by makeshift carriages was undertaken, first by train and mules, and finally, on hard terrain, by sailors. The competition is named after the brewery in London that sponsored the event for many years, and is contested every year by up to 24 crews.
Matthew described the moment when – after four days of exhausting practice runs, and two days of intense competition at Collingwood, not to mention months of dedicated training – the crew learned that they had been victorious.
He said: “Elation set in and everyone exploded with excitement. This meant so much to us as a crew. Some had been involved for 12 years and this was their second victory - our captain had only competed twice and had won it twice; many had competed for several years only to lose in the final each time - and some had won it for the very first time!”
“I still believe that this was my greatest achievement in the military as it takes courage and discipline of the whole crew to win and the bond between crew members will never be broken. This is the hardest team sport in the world!”
Later this year the crew has the opportunity to perform a demonstration run for HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and to compete at the International Military Tattoo at the NIA in front of 8,000 people per night. Both events should draw maximum publicity and raise the profile of REME engineers.
The EAC has over £100,000 available for distribution every year to assist members of all grades with CPD, conference attendance, volunteering and personal development. We also have awards available for schools groups and clubs. More information is available at www.imeche.org/awards or email us at awards@imeche.org.