ON Wednesday 12th October 2016, members of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) (R Mon RE(M)) said farewell to long serving colleague Ken Roberts at Great Castle House, Monmouth.

The event was filled with a mixture of tears of sadness and celebration, with so many kind words being said about Ken from all members of The Regiment, Royal Engineers Association (REA) and Sodexo, Ken’s current employer.

Ken has been part of the Regiment in one form or another since 1948 and has decided to retire for the third time at the end of October.

Training Major Phil Ord led the speeches with an overview of Ken’s fruitful career and then presented Ken with a golden boot, appropriately named the ‘Final Final Boot’ to match the silver boot presentation named the ‘Final Boot’ in 1985.

Maj Ord also presented Ken with a single malt whisky for the cold nights ahead and vouchers to spend on woodwork equipment for his workshop.

Major Ord paid tribute to his wife Nannette before presenting her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Sodexo services manager Gary Niblett also paid tribute to Ken’s loyalty and dedication to the company over the previous 13 years before presenting him with vouchers.

Major Phil Ord later said: “Ken Roberts epitomises everything the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) stands for, his loyalty and dedication to the Regiment has been unbounded, he is a true ‘Militiaman’ through and through”.

Ken said: “Nanette and I are truly overwhelmed with the kind generosity and words of thanks everyone has given.0

“I have loved every minute of being in or with the regiment and genuinely feel honoured that I could follow in my brothers Harold and Eric’s footsteps”.

Ken’s brothers Harold and Eric both served in the R Mon RE(M) with Ken matching Harold’s appointment at the Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant (RQMS).