Military exercise Felix Assault sharpens specialist skills in high pressure environments as the head of Essex Masons presents £1,600 to Felix Fund.
Charing Cross and the disused tube station at Aldwych which are near to Freemasons’ Hall, the HQ of the United Grand Lodge of England with around 175,000 members, were stormed during Ex Felix Assault by the Royal Marines and bomb disposal specialists from the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC).
Famous tourist attractions including The Aquarium on the South Bank and The London Dungeon were also targets. A Fleet Contingent Troop assaulted the Royal Albert Hall and after specialist room clearing, a team from11 EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and Search Regiment RLC was tasked to neutralise two dummy IEDs (improvised explosive devices). On 1st July, Alex Candlin of Forces Net reported “After two days of training the integration of the capabilities was well established between both forces.”
On Friday 28th June, at the St Giles Masonic Centre close to Colchester Garrison, the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent of Essex Freemasons, Paul Tarrant, had presented cheques for £1,600 to Lt Col (Retired) Matthew (Matt) Middleditch MBE QGM in his role as an Ambassador of Felix Fund, the bomb disposal charity. Matt had given a presentation about bomb disposal and explained how personnel face high-pressure situations every day which can lead to intense stress with lasting effects.
The Felix Fund supports men and women from the Army who have been involved with EOD and Search duties, Royal Navy Clearance Divers, RAF Bomb Disposal and SO15 (Met Police Counter Terrorism Command of which Matt is now the Head of Unit, EOD Technical Lead and Senior Explosives Officer). Matt also recounted several firsthand experiences involving EOD and Search duties during his 23 years of Army service. These included Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and gave comparisons of the differing mentality of the bombmakers he has had to contend with.
The money from the Freemasons will go towards Felix Fund delivering more mental wellbeing Dashboard Courses and Training which helps to combat the exceptional stress of those involved in EOD and Search. £800 was presented on behalf of nine Royal Arch Chapters attending the combined meeting, hosted by Pyefleet Chapter No. 8913. The Province of Essex match-funded to make £1,600. Paul Tarrant said “Every Essex Freemason has the highest respect for the bravery and courage of those protecting others from terrorist bomb threats”.
