Mr and Mrs Tosca: Couple awarded UN medal after first operational tour together

· Forces News
The couple have both undertaken operational tours separately throughout their military careers, but Op Tosca marks their first deployment together (Picture: BFBS)

A husband and wife have been awarded an operational medal while serving together in Cyprus.

Sergeant Lisa Rammage-Robinson and Corporal Paul Robinson deployed with the United Nations on their first operational tour together.

The couple, both in the Royal Engineers, are part of 39 Engineer Regiment, primarily based at Kinloss Barracks, but were deployed to sunnier climes in Nicosia in March.

Couples who train together… 

The sappers first met in Germany in 2004, when Lisa was based in Sennelager and Paul in Paderborn.

After losing touch, they reconnected 18 years later.

Over the course of their careers, Lisa deployed twice to both Northern Ireland and Iraq, while Paul served in Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland and South Sudan. Cyprus marked their first operational tour together.

The couple, originally from Galashiels and Sunderland, married in 2024 and live in Kinloss with Lisa's two sons.

"My wife works within the admin department, and I'm part of 53 Field Squadron," explained 44-year-old Paul.

"It's been a busy six months so far, but within that busy period we've had quite a bit of time off to explore."

"We've managed to bring the parents out as well to visit," added Lisa.

She said that she'll be giving her medal to Paul's mum as a thank you for looking after her children while the couple have been deployed.

Asked what she's most looking forward to about heading home, Lisa said that being Scottish and accustomed to the cold, it's having some rain and seeing the family

Op Tosca has been ongoing for more than 60 years, starting with the British Army's peacekeeping presence in Cyprus in 1964 (Picture: BFBS)

Protecting peace in Cyprus

Op Tosca medals were awarded to 156 British peacekeepers, including attached units and reservists.

The head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, Khassim Diagne, and Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Patrick Allen personally handed medals to the sappers.

British personnel are permanently stationed in Sector 2 of the Green Line Buffer Zone as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), with 8th Battalion, The Rifles taking over from 39 Engineer Regiment.

"It's nice to see them bonding on their days off," said Lisa.

The 48-year-old Sergeant is responsible for discipline but says she hasn't seen any problems among the sappers.

"When you're on an operational tour, the bond is really strong," she said. "I think it's made them stronger."