4MI, Britain’s premier intelligence battalion, based in Bulford, is to sign a community covenant with Marlborough, its adopted town. The aim is to cement its relationship, which has grown in stature since it began in 2011.
Marlborough Town Council decided on Monday to expand the relationship with a host of positive new activities following a presentation by Lieut. Colonel Jim Brown, who took over as 4MI’s commanding officer last August.
And in outlining this major step forward 40-year-old Colonel Brown revealed that the corps, which serves the nation round the world, including frontline operations in Afghanistan, has not been hit by the Ministry of Defence’s major cutback in our armed forces’ strength.
“Under the new Army structures, the reduction to 82,000, the 4MI military intelligence battalion is going to retain the same strength,” Colonel Jim Brown told councillors.
“With corps strength at 400, we do remain the largest battalion in the intelligence corps and, I would argue, the premier battalion as well.”
The covenant – some 400 have been signed with local councils across the country – works on a mutual, two-way voluntary basis and will now be used to encourage social, educational, economic and sporting activities with local schools and organisations such as cadet forces and with charities.
The Battalion’s knowledge and experience in leadership and teamwork training is also on the potential list of ways to grow the relationship.
“We were created on September 3, 2001, and we have been in operations since that date,” said Colonel Brown. “I know 2001 is young compared with yourselves having received your royal charter in 1204, but we do intend to endure too.”
He referred to the civic dinners, remembrance parades, sporting fixtures and reciprocal events held at Bulford, and added: “The purpose of this community covenant is to strengthen that relationship and make it broader so that more people are engaged in it on a voluntary basis, and in that way deepen it to make sure it endures.
“I see it as a community investment, career enriching and of great value to both communities.”
Co-operation included not only corps members helping with the sale of poppies on Remembrance Day, but also the adoption of the armed forces discount scheme to encourage retail sales in Marlborough’s shops.
And referring to last November’s parade in Marlborough High Street, Colonel Brown said: “This is the first chance I have had to say thank you publicly for the support you gave us for the medal parade.
“I cannot over-state the significance of that parade. It was a momentous day in the Battalion’s history. A number of soldiers and their families came up to me and said it was the best day they had had in their careers to date.
“Our relationship is strong and has been very positive. We are proud to wear the greyhound symbol of Marlborough.”
Town clerk Shelley Parker, together with the Mayor, Councillor Guy Loosmore, and deputy Mayor, Councillor Marian Hanniford-Dobson, will now prepare a covenant deed that relates specifically to Marlborough, which 4MI and the town council will sign.
“The aim is to build on our relationship so that we can make this happen in the very near future,” said the Mayor.
