Rayleigh and Wickford MP and Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois recently paid a visit to the home of the Royal Engineers in Chatham, Kent, where he had a chance to get out on the River Medway with the Royal Engineers Maritime Unit.
Mark spent the morning visiting the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) which has been at the centre of life for the Royal Engineers since the 19th Century. Mark was shown a wide variety of Royal Engineer training, from engineering apprentices through to the driving of heavy combat vehicles which are used in Afghanistan and also maritime support equipment, such as Rigid Raider craft and logistic support boats.
As part of his tour, Mark was given an opportunity to pilot a Rigid Raider on the River Medway, under the strict supervision of Royal Engineer instructors. As well as being great fun, this gave Mark an opportunity to appreciate the considerable skills which Royal Engineer troops employ, both on land and in the water, in support of the wider Armed Forces.
Commenting on his visit Mark Francois said:
“I had a really good day with the Royal Engineers and as part of that it was great to get out on the water and to be shown how they use Rigid Raiding craft in support of our Armed Forces, including the Royal Marines. When I served in the Territorial Army during the Cold War, I always had great respect for the Royal Engineers as a regiment and now having had an opportunity to go and visit them at their spiritual home in Chatham that respect remains undiminished. The RE are a great part of the British Army and it’s good to know they are as committed and professional today as they have ever been.”