35 Engineer Regiment granted Freedom of the District

35 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search) was awarded the honour by Uttlesford District Council in December and representatives from the Regiment were formally presented with a framed scroll to mark the honour at a Council meeting on Tuesday (25 February). 

Having the freedom gives the Regiment the right to march through the streets of the district. It is presented in appreciation of the services rendered to the country by its members in hazardous deployments throughout the world. 

Cllr Dan McBirnie, the council's Armed Forces Covenant Representative, said: "We are proud to have a prestigious and brave regiment in the area, and are delighted to be able to grant them Freedom of the District. This reaffirms our commitment to the Armed Forces community and reflects our appreciation of them and of the job they do under dangerous conditions. We look forward to the regiment exercising its new freedom with a march in the district soon." 

35 Engineer Regiment (EOD&S) is currently focused on its support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) with counter-explosive ordnance training in eastern Europe, as well as further training to AFU in the UK. The regiment also holds a major NATO readiness commitment through 17 Field Squadron. 21 Field Squadron recently deployed to Kenya to conduct a range sweep, which was a valuable opportunity for field squadrons to practice their search and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities. 

Lt Col Robert Hewitt RE, Commanding Officer 35 Engineer Regiment (EOD&S), said: "The Regiment in its recent history has been based in Germany and Wimbish is its first home in the UK. This is the first Freedom to be bestowed on the Regiment here which is a great privilege and of real value. We thank the council for its support and for awarding us this honour." 

Uttlesford District Council has a strong connection with Carver Barracks. It is signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant which promotes community cohesion between the Armed Forces and local community and is also a silver award holder in the MOD's Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. 

For information, visit: www.uttlesford.gov.uk/Armed-Forces-Community-Covenant 

27 February 2025