Officers and soldiers of the county town's army unit have been recognised for their humanitarian efforts around the world.

36 Engineer Regiment, which is based at Invicta Park Barracks in Maidstone, has been awarded the Firmin Sword of Peace for works overseas from July 2018 to January 2019.

On July 21, 270 members of the Regiment were on parade prior to receiving the honour from Commander Field Army Lt Gen Ivan Jones.

It was a smaller representation than the normal 650 personnel from the Regiment to allow for greater social distancing.

Among the operations earning the recognition were engineering support provided to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan with the building of a new hospital, work in Kenya on Exercise Askari Storm and disaster relief during Hurricane Irma.

Commanding officer Lt Col Mark Jones MBE began proceedings by inviting Lt Gen Jones to issue a number of commendation awards to individuals, before stepping forward to receive the sword on behalf of the Regiment.

Lt Col Jones said: "It is fantastic to be receiving recognition for the Regiment’s 650 Officers and soldiers, a collective effort which has made a real difference to the world.

"We served in a number of different areas throughout 2018 and to receive the Sword means that their collective effort in all things humanitarian has been deservedly recognised."

Earlier this year the Regiment, which includes the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, joined other military personnel and private contractors to build NHS Nightingale in London in a matter of days.

Invicta Park Barracks, which has been home to 36 Engineer Regiment since 1959, is due to close in 2027.

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