3RAR soldiers claim silver distinction at international Cambrian Patrol

Each year over 100 teams take part in the Cambrian Patrol with many of them unable to finish due to the physical and mental demands of the course. See how the soldiers from 3RAR fared.

Winning section of the Duke of Gloucester cup 2024 from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment went on to participate in the Cambrian Patrol held in Wales, the United KingdomPHOTO: LSIS Nadav Harel

In the cold early hours of the Welsh morning, eight Aussie soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) received their orders for what would be one of the toughest 48 hours of their careers as they fought to prove themselves on the world stage.

Situated in the Cambrian Mountains in Wales, the Cambrian patrol pushes 113 army teams from around the world to their limits.

Characterised as mentally and physically challenging, sections have to cover 65 kilometres in less than 48 hours while navigating various military scenarios and the unforgiving wet Welsh weather.

Section Commander, Corporal Walter Lawrence said they began the patrol at 2:50am and trekked around 40 kilometres in the first day, navigating suspected chemical attacks, water crossings and a mass casualty helicopter crash.

“We had to go over this heinous marshy moorland to get to one of our final stands at night which was a downed helicopter crash,” Corporal Lawrence said.

“I think we did really well on that stand. Everyone was looking for work and knew their role and I really just had to manage security and give quick orders so it was really good.”

The Cambrian patrol is held in the Cambrian Mountains in Wales and forces soldiers to navigate marsh land and rugged mountain terrain.

After a short two to three hours of rest, the section was back on the move spending the second day navigating mine fields, conducting reconnaissance and evading enemy drones.

“That was a big thing this year for the 65th anniversary was incorporating that type of new technology particularly with the backdrop of Ukraine,” Corporal Lawrence said.

Corporal Lawrence said navigating across the mountain range was made even more difficult by an onslaught of wet weather and thick fog.

3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) Section Commander Corporal Walter Lawrence. Photo: CPL Brandon Grey

“A lot of teams pulled out right before we started because there was torrential rain … that really got to a lot of people,” Corporal Lawrence said.

“It can be really hard. If it’s completely fogged out you can’t see any landmarks and you’re navigating some really long distances which can be very tricky.”

He said a number of the scenarios were their “bread and butter” which led them to an impressive silver level grading.

Eight soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) participate in the Cambrian Patrol 2024 where they received a silver medal.

“For the section attack the guys who have been doing this for a long time said we were one of the best sections they have seen in the last five years,” Corporal Lawrence said.

“I think it’s massively important that we show up to these events and represent Australia to the highest standard.”

The experience has also highlighted situations in which infantry soldiers may need more exposure to such as dealing with chemical warfare.

“Because we’re infantry we gotta be prepared for that and operating in that type of environment … looking forward we probably need to work a lot closer with our engineers so everyone can be all over that,” Corporal Lawrence said.

Originally published as 3RAR soldiers claim silver distinction at international Cambrian Patrol