The Countess of Wessex undertakes first visit to MOD Lyneham as Colonel-in-Chief, The Corps of REME

The visit to Prince Philip Barracks, marked Her Royal Highness’s first trip to the Headquarters REME since she received her honorary title as Colonel-in-Chief in March this year, the role previously held for over 50 years by The Duke of Edinburgh.

The visit gave The Countess an opportunity to meet officers and soldiers at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (DSEME) and School of Army Aeronautical Engineering (SAAE) where she was introduced to some of the REME trades being taught on site.

Colonel Jason Phillips ADC, Colonel REME said:

It was a great honour to welcome our Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Countess of Wessex, for her first visit to Lyneham.

This has been a truly special day for the many members of the REME Family who met with and talked to HRH. She saw everything from recovery training to avionics repair and additive manufacturing.

The Countess of Wessex was invited to observe a vehicle recovery exercise on the training area and a demonstration of how a vehicle is repaired post recovery.

This was followed by a display at 5 Force Support (FS) Battalion REME on how the technical training received is translated into operational effect in the Field Army including a 3D printing process to make functional components, including tools and the use of augmented reality. 

Her Royal Highness also unveiled a plaque announcing a new name for the REME technical workshops and offices of 5 FS Bn REME to ‘The Countess of Wessex Lines’.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Wigmore, Commanding Officer, 5 Force Support (FS) Battalion REME, said: 

Today we’ve been extremely lucky to welcome Her Royal Highness to the Battalion where we’ve demonstrated our peoples’ unique and specialist capabilities.

The visit culminated with HRH naming our new home ‘The Countess of Wessex Lines’ and completes our unit move to MOD Lyneham, the home of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.