Reserve soldiers from Horsham and Crawley join fight against Covid

D Company (D Coy) is an Infantry Reserve Sub-Unit, part of The 4th Battalion Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (4 PWRR) also known as ‘The Tigers’, based in Crawley and across the south of the UK.

Normally members of D Coy train as infantry soldiers, as well as other roles including medics and chefs. But, in addition to supporting Op RESCRIPT – the operation supporting the fight against Covid – in 2020, members of D Coy have once again stepped up to support the Covid effort.

Captain Chalk, from Horsham, has mobilised into Joint Military Command South East for six months as part of the planning cell.

He said: “Normally my role is to head up the training of new candidates and recruits for 4 PWRR, this is a very alien job for me and, although lacking in experience of staff work, I jumped at the chance to play my part as I realise that times are quite hard for many people at the moment, and if I can make a difference then I should.”

Lance Corporal Murphy who runs an outdoor military fitness company was fulfilling the role of a team leader on Op ROSE – the task to assist the civilian authorities with haulier testing in Kent.

He added: “Being self-employed I rarely get the opportunity to help out.

“Being in lockdown I get to serve and, at the same time, run my business remotely. I am very pleased to be able to have this opportunity.”