In March of this year, the Ministry of Defence initiated ‘Operation Rescript’ to assist the efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Following this, 10,000 British troops were put on standby to form the Covid Support Force. This included the Worshipful Company of Paviors’ military affiliate, the Third Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.
Soldiers from the Paviors’ affiliate manned eight mobile testing units who worked across the south east of England. These were demobilized on 21 June, but will continue to provide support for NHS England and both Surrey and Kent County Councils.
The images above show Second Lieutenant James Andrews and Private Sami Rai, both from Headquarters Company, the Third Battalion PWRR, which is the Territorial Battalion of the Regiment. Both are photographed at a mobile testing unit in Canterbury, operating from the University. James Andrews is studying at the University so, with his Covid-testing role, he has probably spent more time at the University this summer than any other student. Sami Rai is a Nepalese-speaker and has been supporting many families who have come to the mobile testing unit.
The Battalion has also been back on the ranges, gradually ramping up training and preparing for their main annual training exercise in August.
The Paviors Company offers its congratulations and thanks for the excellent work that 3PWRR continues to do.