At the start of this month we welcomed a very important visitor to the museum as part of celebrations for REME’s 82nd birthday.

In 2022, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh was appointed the Corps’ Colonel-in-Chief. This is one of several military appointments held by the Duchess of Edinburgh. An annual competition is held by Her Royal Highness in which her affiliated regiments and corps from the UK and Canada compete against one another in a series of challenges, to foster cooperation. This year, it was held at MOD Lyneham in honour of the Corps’ birthday on 1 October 2024.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Challenge saw teams of personnel from each of the various regiments and corps, including REME, competing in tasks including recovery, shooting, obstacle course and, of course, a quiz around the museum!

Competitors making their way around the museum searching for answers.

Throughout the day, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited and watched each of the tasks as the teams competed. We were honoured to host Her Royal Highness at the museum, where she was given a guided tour by our Museum Director, Major (Retd) Rick Henderson. During the tour, she was able to see the Princess Marina brooch, which was placed on display in our REME Life gallery on her last visit to the museum, as well as try out some of our interactives like the SVR recovery task! We were particularly happy to be able to present our newest display, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross awarded to Corporal Adam Miller in 2007, which was made possible earlier this year with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery Players, and with generous support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. Finally, Her Royal Highness was able to try out some of the quiz questions and witness teams taking on the quiz in real-time.

The Duchess of Edinburgh being greeted and shown around the museum by our Director. Taken by official photographer, Guy Butler. © Crown, OGL.

Overall, the day was positive for all involved. Very fittingly, the REME team won this year’s competition on home turf - though they had to take second place on the museum task, the Queen's Own Yeomanry team taking that particular win! We were delighted to be part of the competition and have since received wonderful comments from the team members of other regiments, who are eager to re-join us for a proper look at the museum.

The Duchess of Edinburgh presenting the competition trophy to the REME winners. Taken by official photographer, Guy Butler. © Crown, OGL.