A PERHAM Down-based soldier has been recognised for his innovative and inspirational training methods at the recent 2018 Corps of Royal Engineers Awards and has been acknowledged as the Corps’ top instructor.

Corporal Daniel “Frank” Skinner of 26 Engineer, aged 28, received the award for being instrumental in delivering an extensive training programme across a wide range of military skills during the regiment’s eight-month deployment to Estonia on Operational Cabrit, often sacrificing his own time to do so.

Speaking of the award, he said: “It was massively humbling to be nominated and I was just looking forward to the award ceremony in London, so when I was told by the squadron officer commanding that I had won just before we left for the ceremony well I could not believe it. I was well chuffed.”

During his time in Estonia, Frank initially provided training for his section only but his lessons were so successful that he was soon providing training on field engineering and infantry assault bridging to the whole NATO Battlegroup.

The lessons throughout the deployment included participation from both Estonian and Danish soldiers where knowledge and experiences were exchanged.

Frank made such an impact on the deployment, that his citation for the Corps’ top instructor award reads: “Corporal Skinner designed and delivered a series of training events that set the tone for interoperability and it is a testament to his instructional, inspirational leadership abilities that soldiers seek him out for extra tuition in their own free time.”