Page 27 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
tiple of soldiers re-roled into a rear area security multiple – returned to Nyati Bar- racks to return vehicles and conduct maintenance. Those that COVID had spared from the Tac Group joined the infantry companies and Battlegroup HQ for the TESEX phases. With all elements of the Battlegroup operating at about 30% strength due to COVID, it proved to be a very interesting TES phase. Bdr Popejoy, Bdr Cracroft and Cpl Collister all stepped up very capably into unfamiliar roles in the JFC and TACP at times, and Gnr Asp- den and Gnr Dickens even stepped up as FST Commanders to support some of the exceptionally tough Battlegroup attacks in both Archers’ Post and Lolldaiga Training Areas. Poor luck on this seemingly cursed exercise was to strike yet again though, and the training was brought to a sudden halt about a week early when a huge wild- fire ripped its way through Lolldaiga Train- ing Area. The Battery was to spend much of its final ten days in Kenya deployed on fire containment tasks to help protect the surrounding communities and the plentiful wildlife in the area.
Nervous days were spent by all waiting for their pre-flight COVID tests, with per- sonnel anxious not to test positive and be stuck in Kenya any longer after an almost three-month deployment. Fortunately, all personnel managed to make it home just after Easter after what had been an exer- cise like no other. It had been a hugely challenging period for all involved; it was tragic to see the Battery split apart by COVID and it was heart-breaking to see so many of its soldiers brought low by the virus. It was testament to the profession- alism of all that, despite not being able to enjoy the usual perks of Kenya such as Adventure Training and social trips into Nanyuki, the Battery performed so well. Some good training was achieved regard-
Officers enjoying the view in Lolldaiga Training Area
Bdr Popejoy recovering after a brutal company attack
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Bty Command Post in action
less of the frictions though, and the Battery is proud of having paved for subsequent sub-units to follow in its path and to enjoy all that Kenya has to offer as the pandemic starts to lift.