Uk Army 11 2011

MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH ARMY
NOVEMBER 2011 3.50

SOLDIER
27 Bold and brave
Troops commended for Op Herrick 13
39 Experimental warfare
Brigade simulates tomorrow's conflicts
42 Force fixers
Civvy mechanics ramp up repairs
44 Front-line justice
Army barristers braced for conflict
47 Gilbert going solo
The Inbetweeners star on his new tour
49 A decade in the desert
Ten years of operations in Afghanistan
52 Sunshine state soother
Underwater action brings bulk benefits
54 Festive fervour
Soldier's Christmas giveaway launched
87 SoldierSport

Regulars
7 The Informer
57 Talkback
64 Bullet points
67 Home truths
76 Movies
78 Games
80 Music
82 Books
84 Top gear
98 Final word

in this issue
Cover picture (left): Remembering soldiers who
died serving their country this year Design: Tudor Morgan
Background image: LCpl Pete Thorpe (216 Sig
Sqn, 16 AAB) patrols near the Daral Aman
Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, during Operation
Fingal in 2002 (pages 49-51) Picture: Mike Weston
47
NOVEMBER 2011 Vol 67/11
SOLDIER
27
80
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CROWN COPYRIGHT 2011
Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily
those of the British Army or the Ministry of Defence.
I
F THERE is one trait that I consider myself to
share with a large number of British soldiers
(and I do mean one), it is a profound aversion
to gushing, poetic sentiments of any kind.
So I couldnt help but laugh last month when,
slumped in front of ITVs Pride of Britain Awards
for the night, I started to read the Twitter chatter
between Army wives who were tuned in to the
same programme.
Most seemed to be engrossed in the television
shows moving tales, much against the will of
their other halves who were refusing to watch on
the grounds it was too cheesy.
I suppose when one has experienced the
sorts of incidents outlined in the latest batch of
honours and awards (pages 27-35),
it is reasonably difcult to return
to watching civvies slap individuals
on the back for acts of selessness
which, to you, seem part and parcel
of any days given operational task.
Your accomplishments are rarely
followed by tears, applause and
an outpouring of praise on lavish,
velvet-adorned stages in central
London, Afghanistan or anywhere else.
To that end, I am quite sure many of the
citations found in this months magazine will
make rather uncomfortable reading for the
subjects concerned and perhaps even their
colleagues too. I know this because one of our
reporters was told as much during an interview
for the feature.
Personnel were incredibly quick to ensure their
units shared in any credit. They seemed keen to
deect attention from themselves.
But why? Is it modesty? Shyness? Or an
attempt to avoid reliving operational experiences
in any sphere other than the battleeld?
Whatever the reason, I for one am glad that
you are forced to acknowledge the scale of your
achievements to people outside the military
bubble from time to time.
Those of us who baulked at the Pride of Britain
Awards may have been too quick to oversee
its value in giving civvies the chance to salute
extraordinary actions and, more importantly, to
try and understand the people that undertake
them something the Soldier team is privileged
enough to do every working day.
But something I am wondering as we mark
Remembrance Day this month, is why the
military world so often waits until a Serviceman
or woman is lost before freely paying tribute to
their considerable skills and triumphs?
I suspect being British has much
to do with it.
Whatever the varying levels of
willingness to sing each others
praises at home, I am happy to
see the stories behind the Armed
Forces recent actions abroad
revealed in this issue. In the cases
of those who survived and those
who did not.
While debating how well soldiers are
performing, how the Service is maintaining
operational commitments (pages 7 and 9) and
what future conicts may look like (pages 39-41),
it is hard to nd the time to get too excited about
the fact that yet another politician has been found
in breach of important rules and, as a result, has
moved on (page 9).
As this months snapshots of ten years in
Afghanistan show (pages 49-51), politicians
come and go at the Ministry of Defence while the
rest of us get on with our jobs almost regardless.
But in any case, and assuming we have
acquired a strong new leader, welcome to the job
Mr Hammond. Sarah Goldthorpe, Editor Q
Praise neednt only be posthumous
SOLDIER
www.soldiermagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2011 5
Why must we
wait until a
soldier is lost
to acknowledge
their triumphs?
A cunning plan indeed I grant you Jenkins... but not entirely cricket I feel.
O Experimental warfare pages 39-41
Incoming troops to manage move
O
PERATION Herrick 15 is
officially under way after 20th
Armoured Brigade took command
of Task Force Helmand.
Incoming units will aim to build on
the work of 3 Commando Brigade,
whose gruelling summer tour saw the
successful handover of responsibility
for security in the provincial capital of
Lashkar Gah to Afghan forces.
This along with transition of other
key parts of Helmand province
marked an important early step on the
path to withdrawing British combat
troops from the country by 2015.
During a short ceremony to signal
the start of 20 Bdes tour, arriving
commander Brig Patrick Sanders
paid tribute to 3 Cdo Bde, saying they
had made real and lasting progress
throughout the area of operations.
Our objective is to continue to build
on that success and help the Afghan
people achieve their own goals of
providing their own security, he said.
We know it will be no easy task but
we are confident that our excellent
training has prepared us for the
challenge that lies ahead.
Speaking to Soldier during the
brigades final pre-deployment exercise
at the end of the summer, Brig Sanders
revealed that preparations had focused
strongly on how to manage the move
towards Afghan-led security.
Its no longer about us taking
ground and keeping it but about
handing over areas bit by bit to the
locals, he explained.
Personnel from 1st Battalion, The
Yorkshire Regiment will play a key part
in this process as they work alongside
the Afghan National Army (ANA),
developing troops skills and strength in
readiness for taking charge.
Commanding officer Lt Col Dan
Bradbury said this and supporting
security was the battalions priority.
For many soldiers its very tempting
to want to do it all but we are there
to help the locals do it, not to do it
ourselves, he said.
Cpl Nick Sanderson is among the
1 Yorks personnel carrying out this
important job on his second operational
tour of Afghanistan.
The ANA has really come on
and our mission is a lot more about
partnering than mentoring, he added.
Troops from 1st Battalion, The
Princess of Waless Royal Regiment
will play an equally important role by
overseeing the Police Mentoring and
Advisory Group in Lashkar Gah.
Commanding officer Lt Col James
Coote described the progress made by
outgoing unit, 2nd Battalion, The Royal
Gurkha Rifles, as remarkable.
Developing the Afghan police is
absolutely vital to the future success of
this country, he explained.
Commander of 3 Cdo Bde, Brig
Ed Davis, paid tribute to the men and
women who deployed on Op Herrick
14 including the 19 personnel who
made the ultimate sacrifice.
They can be immensely proud of
what they have achieved. he said.
Six-and-a-half-thousand British
personnel make up Task Force
Helmand, of which 20 Bde will be the
lead formation until March 2012.
G Soldiers feel more secure page 19
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BRITISH TROOPS GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE ASSET news@soldiermagazine.co.uk
informer T
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Developing skills and strength: Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland on patrol in the Nad-e Ali district at the start of Op Herrick 15
IT IS FANTASTIC THAT BUSINESSES ARE DIGGING
DEEP TO HELP BRING SOME FESTIVE CHEER
NEWS IN BRIEF
KRYPTON SITE CONVERSION
QA TRAINING facility made famous by cult
television show The Krypton Factor has received
a 5 million revamp.
The new state-of-the-art cadet centre at
Holcombe Moor near Bury was officially opened
by the Commander-in-Chief Land Forces, Gen Sir
Nick Parker, and includes indoor training spaces,
recreational facilities and accommodation for
more than 200 individuals.
PATROL BASE PARTY
QSOLDIERS from 2nd Battalion, The Royal
Gurkha Rifles have marked the festival of Dashain
at their patrol base in the Nad-e Ali district of
Helmand province.
The celebration is one
of the most joyous times
of the year for Nepalese
people of the Hindu
faith and runs for 15
consecutive days.
Personnel held a
party at Patrol Base
Chilli to honour the
event despite having
no running or heated
water, air conditioning
or plumbing.
Maj Jamie Murray,
officer commanding
B Company, said: Gurkhas pay their
respects to Goddess Durga and therefore hope the
battalion is blessed as a result.
If you considered it on the Christian calendar,
this is Christmas Day.
WHITE WALL WELFARE
QA NEW website is offering psychological
support to personnel, their families and veterans.
The Department of Health and military charity
Help for Heroes are funding www.bigwhitewall.
com which is staffed by professional counsellors.
COOK COMMENDATION
QA RETIRED officer who joined the Army as a
15-year-old apprentice cook has been honoured
after 50 years of continuous employment within
military food services teams.
Former major David Norris was awarded
a Royal Logistic Corps commendation in
recognition of his contribution to the trade, in
which he is the longest serving member of staff.
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CONSTRUCTION work on a multi-million pound Armed Forces medical support centre is under way
at Whittington Barracks in Staffordshire.
More than 1,000 Service personnel will be based at the educational establishment in the West
Midlands, which will provide top training facilities including a lecture theatre, living accommodation
and a junior ranks dining and welfare building.
The 138-million complex is being delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and will
bring together a range of expertise in the region, with operational casualties treated at the nearby
Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Project manager David Lawson said: This marks the start of a phase that will, over the next three
years, convert the former Whittington Barracks into a state-of-the-art training centre.
This expansion will ensure that Defence Medical Services personnel will receive the best
possible preparation for operations.
Scotland readies reaction force
8 NOVEMBER 2011 www.soldiermagazine.co.uk
Intensive fight: 3 Para personnel descend on Dumfries and Galloway to undertake tactical challenges
T
ROOPS from 16 Air Assault
Brigade took part in a tailor-
made exercise in Scotland before
resuming their duties as the British
Armys rapid reaction force.
More than 1,000 personnel deployed
on Exercise Joint Warrior in preparation
for a role which sees the airborne
task force put on standby to deploy
anywhere in the world at short notice.
Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The
Parachute Regiment battlegroup flew
in on RAF Hercules transport planes to
secure West Freugh and Castle Kennedy
airfields in rapid landing missions.
A main operating base was
established, with activity focused on
the Galloway Enclave an area
disputed by two fictional nations named
Caledonia and Dragonia.
During the intensive training
Servicemen and women were required
to work with a Nato stabilisation force,
which had been sent in to prepare
for the arrival of a United Nations
peacekeeping team.
Those involved in the exercise were
also confronted with a mock insurgency
that worked without the support of
either of the two countries.
The package culminated in the
evacuation of civilians from a village
under threat by insurgents. The idea
was to simulate a non-combat mission
to rescue UK citizens caught in hostile
situations overseas.
Commanding officer Lt Col James
Coates (3 Para) said: This is a
demanding exercise that reflects the
current global situation and the type of
operations the task force could be called
on to do.
The tactical missions set and the
expeditionary nature of it tested every
element of the battlegroup.
It helps us develop an idea of the
challenges this role will present and
ensures we can establish foundations
to build from to prepare for whatever is
asked of us.
First step for medical training centre
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO SOLDIER READERS, PAGES 54-55
SOLDIER SINGLE ON SALE
QSERVICEMAN-turned-singer Gary Hart
releases new single Dead Soldier Blues this
month to help boost the
coffers of military charities
The Royal British Legion
and the Mark Wright
Foundation.
The ex-Para, who
served in Northern Ireland,
Iraq and Afghanistan, first
wrote the track while on
the front line in Sangin
district, Helmand province, as a war poem.
But when contacted by producer Kim Foley he
adapted the piece into a musical recording that
captures the emotions of life on tour.
Hart served alongside the late Cpl Mark Wright
(Para) and having signed a deal with Shameless
Records, is now working on his debut album.
Dead Soldier Blues is released on iTunes on
November 7.
PHILIP Hammond has replaced Dr
Liam Fox as Defence Secretary after the
government minister resigned.
The announcement followed several
days of media speculation around the
propriety of Dr Foxs working relationship
with Adam Werritty a friend who was
not an employee of the Government or
Conservative Party but who he met with on
18 ministerial overseas trips.
In a resignation letter to Prime Minister
David Cameron, the politician apologised
for allowing his personal interest and
government activities to become blurred.
He added that he had been honoured
and humbled to work with men and
women of the Armed Forces during his time
at the Ministry of Defence.
Mr Hammond comes to the job from his
previous role at the helm of the Department
for Transport.
On taking up his new appointment, he
said: I look forward to picking up the
baton from Liam and working closely with
the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and
International Development Secretary to
ensure that our defences are robust and
that the finances that lie behind them are
equally robust.
ITS AMAZING BUT I FEEL VERY HUMBLED
BECAUSE ITS A TEAM EFFORT
HERRICK HEROES HONOURED, PAGES 27-35
Fox bids farewell
NEWS IN BRIEF
All change: Dr Liam Fox (left) has resigned
and been replaced by Philip Hammond (right)
D
EFENCE Secretary Philip
Hammond believes Britain should
be extremely proud of the role
its Armed Forces played in helping the
Libyan people to liberate themselves
from the terrorising control of Col
Muammar Gaddafi.
The dictator was killed following a
Nato air strike on a vehicle convoy in
Sirte that brought an end to an eight-
month uprising against his rule.
British troops have been heavily
involved in the campaign and more than
3,000 sorties were flown over Libya
2,000 of which were strike attacks.
Mr Hammond said: Weve avoided
what would have been a potential
humanitarian disaster.
We know Col Gaddafi was bent on
murdering his own people when this
operation began and I think we can be
very, very satisfied with the outcome.
Now we need to support the people
and help them turn the liberation
of their country into a successful
stabilisation so that Libya can be a
beacon of prosperity and democracy in
North Africa.
The minister said he would have
preferred to see Col Gaddafi brought to
trial for the atrocities committed during
his reign but believes the nation should
now look to the future.
He added: The important thing
for the Libyans is that they can draw a
line under the old regime, and we, the
British people, can be rightfully proud
of the part we have played in allowing
them to liberate themselves.
The UK was not directly involved in
the strike on the convoy, but Royal Air
Force jets were in the skies at the time.
The offensive was launched after
surveillance showed a group of senior
military leaders breaking out of Sirte.
Once the target was hit, Free Libya
fighters moved in on the location.
Mr Hammond revealed Nato officials
will be meeting to discuss future
developments and said once they are
satisfied there is no further threat to
Libyan civilians the operation will start
to drawdown.
It looks as though the mission is
pretty much complete, the Defence
Secretary explained. But its a brave
man that says there isnt some little
pocket of resistance somewhere that
couldnt still cause a problem.
We need to take stock properly,
consider the situation on the ground
and discuss matters with the Libyans to
make sure they are happy, that they no
longer need our protection.
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UK proud of Libyas liberation
Down and out: Col Muammar Gaddafi was killed following a Nato air strike on a military convoy in Sirte
ORIGINAL HONOUR FOR UNIT
Q A RESERVIST unit attached to The Ries is
thought to be the rst company ever to be given
the freedom of a town or city.
The mayor and council of Spennymoor in
County Durham will bestow the honour on D
Company, 5th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers next year in recognition of
its long association with the region.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONE
Q TICKETS for Troops has
registered its 100,000th
member of the Armed
Forces. The charity, which
supplies personnel with
free entry to music,
sporting and cultural events,
reached the landmark in less than two years. To
sign up visit www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk
SUMMIT FOR GAY STAFF
Q LESBIAN, gay, bisexual or transgender
soldiers are invited to attend an Army conference
about equality issues at work.
The annual event is open to all ranks and will
take place at St Hughs College in Oxford on
December 2.
It is being held away from units in a bid to
encourage more personnel to attend.
The talks will also be open to Service equality
and diversity advisers.
Anyone interested in attending should email
armylgbt@gmail.com or read DIN 01-197 for
more information.
SIXTEEN SCALE SNOWDON
Q A GROUP of the Armys newest recruits from
North Wales have signed their oaths of allegiance
at the summit of Mount Snowdon.
Around half of the 16 young men and women
to climb the mountain were 16- and 17-year-
olds who have enlisted as junior entrants and
will begin their basic training at the foundation
college in Harrogate.
The remainder will be joining a range of
regiments including the Household Cavalry,
Royal Welsh, The Queens Dragoon Guards and
the Royal Logistic Corps.
BULFORD BROUGHT UP TO DATE
Q THE refurbishment of 220 Service
homes at Bulford Camp near Salisbury
has been completed.
The project, which began in March
2009, has seen family accommodation
made more energy efficient with new
kitchens and bathrooms, modern
heating systems and new carpets.
Internal layouts and gardens have
also been improved.
It is one of several accommodation schemes
due to be completed by the Defence Infrastructure
Organisation before April 2013, when a three-year
halt will be put on Service housing upgrades to
make financial savings.
NEWS IN BRIEF
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MERGENCY first aid
administered by British troops at
the scene of a gang fight has saved a
wounded mans life.
Members of 4 Logistic Support
Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps posted
to the British Army Training Unit
Suffield in Canada were on a night out
in Calgary when they witnessed a fight
in which a man was stabbed.
Acting without hesitation, Pte Ben
Regan, Pte Lee Wingrove, Sgt Terence
Wall, LCpl Sam Neil and Pte Cal Owen
Thomas (pictured above left to right)
stepped in to treat the victim.
The men, who will deploy to
Helmand province next year in support
of 12th Mechanized Brigade, used
plastic cards from their wallets to treat
the casualtys sucking chest wound
a cavity that pulls air into the body
through a new route.
It was a great team effort to keep this
civilian stable until emergency services
arrived, Sgt Wall said.
The troops previous military
training and experiences made the
difference for this man.
The victim of the attack was in
hospital for six days afterwards. He had
suffered five separate injuries.
Each soldier involved in the treatment
received an award of exceptional
recognition from Calgarys chief of
police. It was presented by 12 Mech Bde
commander Brig Justin Maciejewski,
who said: I am extremely proud of the
actions of these soldiers.
They epitomise the very best
qualities of our troops and showed
considerable moral and physical
courage and discipline.
He added: Sgt Wall showed great
leadership that night and, by the deeds
of his men, a life has been saved and an
example has been given to others.
Rapid response: The five British soldiers commended for saving a mans life using their plastic cards
Lifesaving skills credited
ENGINEERS have developed the UKs first
lightweight flying video camera, which they
say could help British soldiers on operations.
The unmanned aerial vehicle is designed to
spot hidden dangers and feed real-time footage
to goggles worn by the operator.
The flying eye nicknamed SQ4 has the
same diameter as a Frisbee flying disc and
weighs 230 grams.
Dr Stephen Prior, leader of the Middlesex
University team
that created the
technology,
said: Were providing
a birds eye view with a
vehicle that is literally the
size of a bird.
The SQ4 was unveiled at the Defence
and Security Equipment International trade
show in London in September.
Mini combat camera takes off
IVE HAD LOADS OF TROOPS COME TO SEE ME SO FAR.
GOD BLESS THE INBETWEENERS, THATS WHAT I SAY!
COMEDIAN GREG DAVIES EMBRACES MILITARY FAN BASE, PAGE 47
C
ONCERN has been raised at the
way some UK military personnel
continue to flout one of the most
basic safety protocols use of seat belts
in operational vehicles.
Mark Devoy, a scientific adviser at the
Land Warfare Centre, is desperate to
highlight the perils of such actions and
believes footage he has gathered from
an experiment at the Defence Science
and Technology Laboratory may finally
force the message home.
The video (pictured above) shows
a Jackal rocked by a bomb blast and
captures the resulting impact on
the vehicles crew, who have been
substituted by dummies.
While one soldier remains safely
on-board thanks to his seat belt,
the other is flung from the platform
and suffers a series of major injuries
in addition to those that could be
sustained by the force of the explosion.
There is a big myth that it is better
to be thrown
out of the
vehicle if such
incidents
occur, Devoy
told Soldier.
I want
to dispel
that belief.
There may be
instances where
people get up
and walk away but
they are few and far between.
Personnel are likely to suffer
additional injuries by hitting the
vehicles infrastructure and there is
every chance they will land awkwardly,
causing further damage.
There is also a threat to others. If
five people are thrown from a vehicle
and land in five different locations, the
first responders have to find a safe path
to all of them.
They will have to carry out Op
Barma drills that could potentially put
them in further danger.
I dont know if a gung-ho approach
comes into it but the message is simple
the wearing of seat belts is mandatory
and a potential life saver.
The graphic imagery in the video tells
its own story and the scientist has also
been quick to stress the importance of
good vehicle drills in theatre.
In the event of an IED strike, any
loose equipment can be a secondary
threat, he explained.
An untied ammunition box can
strike someone in the head, even a
bottle top can cause an injury if it hits a
soldier in the eye.
Everything that should be tied down
has to be tied down.
Devoy has now passed the footage to
the Armys director of training with a
view to it being used in future courses
on vehicle discipline.
British troops begged to belt up
Depicting danger: Shocking video footage shows a dummy soldier being hurled from a Jackal vehicle during a simulated IED blast
DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Warning: Mark Devoy
ARMED Forces Minister Nick Harvey (pictured
right) has announced that radical changes will
not be made to the Continuity of Education
Allowance (CEA).
A review into the provision of the entitlement
found that it makes a valuable contribution
towards the British Armys operational
effectiveness by supporting family mobility and
accompanied service.
The conclusion of the report states that key
principles of the scheme will remain in place:
G current rates for parental contributions,
a minimum of ten per cent of the schools fees,
will be maintained;
G parents will continue to be able to
choose the independent or state school most
appropriate for their children from the MoDs
accredited database;
G there will be no changes made to the
allowances for special needs, North Wales and
day school provision.
The CEA provides funds to ensure offspring
of Service personnel receive continuous
education which would otherwise be impossible
if they accompanied their parents on postings.
Despite safeguarding the above elements, the
study revealed that significant changes to policy
regulations will be introduced.
One new restriction on the criteria for
eligibility will mean claims for year 12 and
13 students who have not previously been in
continuous receipt of the allowance will no
longer be permitted.
The department will also seek to establish
a central payment system so money is given
directly to schools instead of claimants.
In addition, parents will be encouraged to
use state boarding schools at a lower cost to the
MoD and families.
Gill Dixon, headteacher of Trent College in
Nottingham, said: This
is a very pleasing
announcement.
It brings
great relief to the
families of our
existing recipient
students and great
encouragement to
those Service parents
considering
their childs
educational
options.
Key principles of allowance to remain
DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
YOU GET TO SEE ISSUES PLAY OUT IN FRONT OF YOU
AND YOUR ADVICE HAS A REAL AND DIRECT CONSEQUENCE
ARMYS LEGAL TEAM ELUCIDATE THEIR ROLE, PAGES 44-45
THE El Centro Naval Air Facility in California
has welcomed its latest intake of British Army
personnel for the nal exercise in their Apache
conversion to role course.
Prince Harry was among the soldiers
to arrive at the US base for the two-month
Exercise Crimson Eagle, which focuses on
environmental and judgemental training during
various tactical scenarios.
These will include drills on how to handle
aircraft in mountainous and desert conditions,
learning how to perform dust landings and
limited power drills during day and night.
The course then moves to the Gila Bend Air
Force Auxiliary Field in Arizona, where Capt
Wales and his fellow students will be engaged
in a live-ring package that forms their nal
assessment in weapons handling.
On completion of Exercise Crimson Eagle,
the attendees will return to the UK as fully-
trained Apache pilots.
The programme has been conducted nine
times in the United States by the Army Air
Corps since 2006.
TV judge rejects Jonjo
WERE USING RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCKS AS VANTAGE POINTS AND THE
LOCAL COUNCIL AND EMERGENCY PLANNING TEAM ARE ON BOARD
SERVICE EXPERIMENTS IN MARITIME METROPOLIS, PAGES 39-41
A
RMY X Factor hopeful Pte Jon
Joseph Kerr (3 Yorks) has been
voted out of the hit television show
by his mentor Louis Walsh.
The soldier made it as far as the first
round of the competitions live finals
but his performance of The Kinks
You Really Got Me was dismissed by
head judge Gary Barlow who told him
amongst all the other acts you stick out
like a sore thumb.
The 28-year-old Serviceman said
that getting to the latter stages of
the programme had been a massive
achievement but, once again, his stage
fright had got the better of him.
It wasnt as nerve-wracking as I
thought it would be, but I could hear in
my voice that I was nervous, said the
Service singer.
I was being myself the whole time
though and its a huge thing to do in
front of 12 million people.
More than 88,000 individuals
auditioned for The X Factor and I made
it through to the last 16 so I feel happy.
All my mates have been saying how
proud they are.
Following his success in the first
round, Pte Kerr was given time off from
his military career to take part in the
shows finals.
He is now planning to use the rest of
the year to pursue his dream of getting a
recording contract.
Ive got a lot of gigs that I want to
do so Im going to ride the storm while
I can because the Army have been so
supportive, he said.
Ill see where it takes me and
whether I get signed.
The infantryman qualified for The X
Factor live shows after impressing Louis
Walsh with his version of Adeles song
Dont You Remember during his stay at
the judges house.
He was later assigned a team of
stylists who helped to transform
his image.
It was a bit embarrassing but
its all part of show business, Pte
Kerr explained.
Theyve got to give you a
haircut and slap a bit of make-up
on so you look good on screen, but
luckily I didnt need a lot.
NEWS IN BRIEF
ALLIES PLEDGE TO PROP
Q MINISTERS from the British and American
governments have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding to ensure continued joint support
to the Armed Forces community.
It follows President Barack Obamas visit to
the UK in May, after which a Service personnel,
families and veterans task force was established.
The aim of both initiatives is to share best
practice on supporting injured or sick soldiers.
Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence
Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, signed the
document on behalf of Great Britain.
DEDICATED DEVELOPMENT
Q A VETERANS charity has launched a
campaign to build a dedicated residential and
medical facility for former Forces personnel on a
55-acre site in Ebchester, County Durham.
Plans for the village, which is believed to be
the first of its kind, include accessible bungalows
to house 300 residents and a fully staffed 90-bed
care and nursing home.
Veterans Retreat, the organisation behind the
project, revealed the site would include a leisure
centre, swimming pool, woodland, lakes and a
donkey sanctuary.
INCOMING EXHIBITION
Q A NEW gallery highlighting the centuries
of development and castle design that led to
the formation of the Royal Engineers has been
unveiled in Kent.
The Early Engineers exhibition at the corps
museum in Gillingham has been supported by a
46,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and
features the map used by the Duke of Wellington
at the Battle of Waterloo.
TROOPS WOW CELEB CHEF
Q SOLDIERS challenged celebrity
chef Simon Rimmer to create a
feast fit for an Afghan shura as
part of an annual Service
catering showcase.
The BBC television star said
he was thoroughly impressed
by the skill, creativity and
dedication of Army personnel during
Exercise Joint Caterer, which took place at
Sandown Park racecourse in Surrey.
Troops also took up the challenge of baking
bread and cooking finger food for the buffet-style
meal, using only ingredients found in Afghanistan
or military ration packs.
HELPLINE HOURS CUT
Q FORCESLINE, the free confidential helpline
used by the military community, is operating
on reduced hours after the MoD withdrew its
financial support.
With assistance from SSAFA Forces Help,
the telephone network which deals with more
than 6,000 calls each year will continue to run
between 1030 and 1900, along with a full email
companion service.
Embarrassing: Pte Jon Joseph Kerr or Jonjo
to his fans said that having a team of stylists
on The X Factor took some getting used to
Picture: SYCO
Apache training commences in California
IN THE LADIES COMPETITION WE HAD THREE OUT OF THE FOUR PADDLERS IN
THE FINAL, WHICH IS JUST UNHEARD OF AND WAS A GREAT RESULT FOR US
MAJ DAVID WOODFORD (RLC) REFLECTS ON THE INTER-SERVICES SURF KAYAKING CAMPAIGN, PAGE 94
A
PACHE test pilot-turned-
astronaut Tim Peake is poised to
play his part in space assignments
after successfully completing the first
stages of his training.
In the coming months the former
Army Air Corps major will take to the
controls at the International Space
Stations ground operations room.
Acting as the human link between
those in orbit and the state-of-the-art
support centre on Earth, the 39-year-
old will be plugged in to a console
and tasked with talking to the six-
man crew currently manning the
multinational outpost.
Much like in the Apollo 13 movie,
there is one man who speaks to the
space station and thats an astronaut
job, he told Soldier.
Ive spent the past six months
working with the ground control, seeing
first-hand the difficulties and challenges
they experience and providing the
interface between them and astronauts.
Since graduating from basic space
training last November, Peake has been
busy honing his Russian language skills
and adjusting to life without
gravity at the European
Astronaut Centre in
Cologne, Germany.
The former officer explained how his
new life is not dissimilar to the Army Air
Corps routine he left behind.
The command and control skills and
operational experience has come in very
useful, he said.
The military is very good at teaching
people how to communicate clearly and
concisely and on the space station
certainly in times of emergencies you
must think carefully about what to say
and which questions to ask.
But its a very different environment,
particularly the emphasis on big
international groups.
I was the only Apache test pilot in
the Army so I managed myself.
Here, the flight control team is
much larger and one minute I could be
speaking to the Tsukuba Space Centre
in Japan and the next to the US.
But while the rewards of being an
astronaut may be plentiful, there are
aspects of Army life that Peake says can
never be matched even by the outer
reaches of the Milky Way.
I miss the people and the banter,
he admitted. You cannot equal that
civilian life is very different.
SWAG FORCE FOR GOOD QUIDS IN
3,000 3 IRON SOLDIER CHALLENGE
Former Army physical training instructor Mike Buss
staged his own version of Soccer AMs power bag
fitness test at the Birmingham NEC during Leisure
Industry Week. He completed 261 reps of the
course, which saw him loading 20kg bags on and
off a Volvo 4x4 for six hours.
Help for Heroes
33,000 1 MUNRO MISSION
A 49-day quest to conquer all 283 Scottish
Highland mountains over 3,000ft high has
boosted the student-run charity appeal Decaid
BLESMA and
SSAFA Forces Help
6,200 2 BLANCHARD TROPHY
Two teams of Reservists from 221 Field Squadron,
101 Engineer Regiment undertook a gruelling
cycling and rowing biathlon around Lake
Windermere in memory of Spr Will Blanchard
Help for Heroes
1,649 4 CYCLISTS EXCEL
Volunteers from the Defence School of Transport
competed in a 12-hour cyclothon against staff
from the Tesco store in nearby Beverley
Alzheimers Society, Royal
Navy and Royal Marines
Charity, RAF Benevolent
Fund, Gurkha Welfare
Trust and Combat Stress
Q IF YOU have ever soaked up
the bright lights of the gamblers
paradise that is Las Vegas,
Octobers spine line competition would
have been no problem to solve.
Fremont, Bellagio, El Cortez and
Fitzgeralds are all casinos in the glitzy US
city, which attracts thousands of British
tourists every year.
This month we are giving away ve
handy Lifeventure (www.lifeventure.co.uk)
thermal mugs in a choice of colours.
To be in with a chance of winning one,
tell us what links the words on the side of
this issue.
Send your answers, plus your preferred
colour, to the usual address or email
comps@soldiermagazine.co.uk by
November 30.
Winners will be drawn at random and the
usual rules apply.
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Skills transfer: Former Apache helicopter test pilot Tim Peake pictured during training for his new role
626 5 KARATE KIDS
Young members of the Kaizen Karate Club in
Aldershot embarked on an hour-long sponsored
punch organised by Sgt Carl Sharples (AGC (SPS))
and supervised by ex-Para Billy Cross
Families Activity Breaks
LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN
Former pilots major space mission
THIS SEASON IS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE PLAYERS
BUT WE STILL WANT TO WIN THE INTER-SERVICES TITLE
COACH OUTLINES AIMS FOR NEW FOOTBALL CAMPAIGN, PAGE 93
WILTSHIRE WEDDING
GOOD DRILLS
A HOTEL in Wiltshire has run a wedding
for a hero competition offering one lucky
Serviceman or woman the chance to have
their big day paid for. After being nominated
by members of the public, Military Cross
recipient LCpl Marc Reader (1 Coldm Gds)
and his fiancee Charlie Knott scooped the
prize and got married at the Bowood Hotel,
Spa & Golf Resort near Calne.
HAMPSHIRE County Council has pledged to
offer special benefits and discounts to local
troops and their families by signing up to the
community military covenant scheme Heroes
Welcome. Around half of all UK-based
personnel from across the three Services live
in the area.
SERVICE SUPPORT
BAD DRILLS
A HIGH speed 20-mile car chase led to the
arrest of an American soldier. The 21-year-old
Serviceman from Fort Campbell in Tennessee
was clocked reaching more than 120mph,
according to local newspaper The Leaf
Chronicle. After ignoring police lights and
sirens, the driver was finally brought to a halt
when he crashed into a sheriffs car.
CAR CULPRIT
AN application to stage two months of
corporate parties in gardens dedicated to
the memory of fallen seamen from the World
Wars and Falklands conflict has been blocked
by Tower Hamlets Council. Labour peer Lord
Berkeley said the idea of those responsible
for the financial crisis dancing around
memorials at social events in the London
Borough had created widespread disgust
among members of its community.
EVENT INDIGNITY
S
ERVICE personnel who recently
undertook some of the most
dangerous jobs in Afghanistan say
dramatic changes in equipment have
helped them to feel much safer on the
front line.
During Operation Herrick 14 (page
7), troops from the Counter-IED
Task Force found and destroyed 530
explosive devices and seven tonnes of
homemade bomb materials.
Speaking at a homecoming parade,
Cpl Adam Tucker (11 EOD Regt,
pictured right) said: I was on Op
Herrick 8 and the changes since that
time have certainly been dramatic.
I felt a lot safer going out in the
vehicles as they are much better
armoured the kit has come a long way.
Afghanistan as a country is getting a
lot better too, with an improved national
army and police force.
In the past we wouldnt trust them at
all whereas now they are leading combat
logistic patrols.
To come that far is beyond what
anyone would have believed could
happen there.
During a seven-month tour, the task
force mentored members of the first
Afghan national counter-IED capability.
They also introduced more than
20-million worth of new gear into
theatre, from armoured vehicles to
specialist search kit.
LCpl Stephen Cooney of 28 Engineer
Regiment added that improvements in
infantry training had led to success on
the battlefield.
As a result, for the majority of
our tour, the infantry teams were
actually finding explosives before us,
which shows they have improved a
lot compared to previous tours, he
explained to Soldier.
I do think the number of IEDs on
the ground has shrunk massively, which
is good.
And that is because instead of
eliminating the targets, we are finding
where the devices are made getting to
the root of the problem.
Its been a real focus in the last year
and thats why advances have been
made in Helmand province.
Lt Col Mark Budden, commanding
officer of 101 Engineer Regiment
(EOD), said: In a
country riddled with
hazards, more soldiers
have been killed by
explosive devices than
anything else.
All members of
the Counter-IED
Task Force have
shown exceptional
bravery day after
day all the
more so on the
many occasions
they have
been saved by
nothing more
than chance
and grace.
Soldiers feel more secure
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Bravery: A member of the Counter-IED Task Force deals with a hidden explosive device in Afghanistan
A DEDICATED soldier who followed his father
and brother into the military was shot dead while
undertaking guard duties in the Nahr-e Saraj
district of Afghanistan.
Rfn Vijay Rai, of 2nd Battalion, The Royal
Gurkha Rifles, was killed when his checkpoint
came under attack by small arms fire.
The 21-year-old was serving with A (Amboor)
Company on his first operational tour.
After passing the gruelling Gurkha selection
process, Rfn Rai was enlisted in the British Army
in December 2008 before completing basic
training the following year.
He was then posted to 2 RGR in Brunei where
the Serviceman established himself as one of
the leading lights within his platoon and a highly
talented sportsman.
Lt Col Fraser Rea, CO of the battalion,
described the rifleman as a fine Gurkha soldier.
He said: Rfn Rai was tough, loyal,
uncomplaining and utterly professional. He had
a ready smile, a big heart and loved his sport
and music.
He was deeply committed to his fellow
soldiers and to the local Afghans whose lives he
strove to improve. His death, coming so close to
the end of the tour, has rocked the battalion.
The Serviceman leaves behind his parents,
two brothers and two sisters. A family statement
said: He was very proud to be a Gurkha and
died doing his chosen job. His father and family
members are very proud of him.
IN MEMORIAM
RFN VIJAY RAI (21)
A COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION,
THE ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES
KIA OCTOBER 15 AFGHANISTAN
A BRIDGE in Bosnia has been renamed
in honour of the first of 53 British
Servicemen to die in the country during
the Balkans conflict.
LCpl Wayne Edwards of The Royal
Welch Fusiliers was shot by a sniper as he
escorted an ambulance carrying injured
civilians over the structure in Gornji Vakuf-
Uskoplje in 1993.
At the time of his death the soldier was
attached to 1st Battalion, The Cheshire
Regiment as part of the United Nations
peacekeeping force.
A special ceremony to dedicate the
Kaplar Wayne Edwards bridge was
attended by the Servicemans former
commander Col Robert Stewart, his
sister Kimberley Gough and the British
ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A
BRITISH Army colonel
is marking his imminent
retirement by walking
from his final posting in
Heidelberg, Germany,
to the Royal Military
Academy in Sandhurst
where his career began
36 years ago.
Col Robert Jordan,
currently the British
Liaison Officer with the
US Army in Europe, will
carry out the 480-mile
journey to raise 15,000
for ABF The Soldiers
Charity, Help for Heroes
and The Sir Oswald Stoll
Foundation.
Speaking about the daunting
challenge which he was
due to start on November
3, the former commanding
officer of 1st Battalion, The
Worcestershire and Sherwood
Foresters Regiment said:
I wanted to leave the
Army with one more
achievement under my
belt rather than a few
more beers in my belly.
This way Ill end
my 36 years in a way
that will benefit those
who have not, as I
have, been able to
serve a full career
unscathed.
The outgoing
senior officer aims to arrive
at the Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst on December 4.
G For more information
on the hike or to sponsor
Col Jordan visit http://
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/
RobertHomeStretch
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Fusilier honoured by crossing commemoration
NEWS IN BRIEF
FIRST-CLASS FACILITY
QA NEW rehabilitation and training facility for
visually impaired veterans has opened its doors
in North Wales.
Run by Service charity St Dunstans, the 12
million residential centre in Llandudno boasts en
suite bedrooms, lounges and a dedicated nursing
and care unit.
The Poppy Wing named in recognition of
a 2.6 million donation from The Royal British
Legion can accommodate 11 patients and is
equipped with a gym, two kitchens and an arts
and crafts workshop.
The site also has a training flat where residents
can stay for short periods to help develop
independent living skills, with St Dunstans staff
nearby to provide support if needed.
Mark Lovatt, the manager of the new centre,
said: My staff and I are delighted to finally be
able to throw open the doors to this magnificent
facility and start providing first-class help
and support for blind and visually impaired
ex-Servicemen and women.
Officer embarks on lengthy hike home
T
ROOPS are supporting Army
efforts to cut cases of noise-induced
hearing loss across the Service.
In September Soldier reported that
growing numbers of personnel are
suffering damage to their ears due to
high-tempo operations and intensive
live-firing exercises before tours.
Sgt Robert Thornton (RA) is one of
those speaking up on the subject.
The 32-year-old former gunner
suffers from tinnitus, a persistent
ringing in the ears. He now works in an
Army recruiting office.
Out of the four senior non-
commissioned officers who were in
my battery, three of us have hearing
problems, he explained.
People have always said if youre
working on the guns then youre going
to be a bit deaf, but if you suffer hearing
loss as a young soldier then your career
could be over.
A lot guys dont join the Army to
work in the stores or post room, but if
you end up downgraded that is what
could happen.
Capt Andrew Hieghton-Jackson (3
Scots) is being medically discharged as
a result of injuries to his ears from an
IED blast in Afghanistan.
It wasnt until almost
12 months after the
explosion that the
30-year-old realised how much damage
had been caused.
I took the standard soldier mentality
just get on and do it, he said.
But after ten weeks of live firing
in Otterburn I couldnt use a weapon
because of the pain.
Subsequently the soldier visited a
civilian specialist and was told he was
clinically deaf in one ear.
I can still hear bits and bobs but
nothing useful and the tinnitus is
constant, he warned. I also have a lot
of earaches and trouble balancing.
The officer added: My message to
soldiers would be if you are not feeling
right medically, then get it seen to.
The amount of people the Service is
losing to hearing loss is ridiculous.
I know of three other officers in the
same battalion that have suffered due to
such difficulties.
Just because you cannot see it
doesnt mean it is not there.
Hearing crusade gains volume
Ear defenders: The Army wants troops to wear the right protection during live-firing excercises in order to avoid damage that could cost them their careers
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THE PLAYERS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL, THAT INCLUDES THE OFF-
FIELD STAFF, AND WE HAVE ALL WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS
RUGBY COACH CAPT ANDY SANGER (RE) ON WINNING DOWN UNDER, PAGES 96-97
A FORMER Reservist musician has become
the first ever female bandmaster in the
Household Cavalry.
WO1 Esther Freeborn will lead the
world famous Band of the Life Guards
after spending recent months mastering
complicated mounted drill movements
and learning to ride in the units elaborate
ceremonial uniform.
The flautist, who plays the piccolo on
parade and was previously posted with the
Band of The Parachute Regiment, has also
learnt to carry her instrument on horseback.
Its an extremely intensive course so its
quite stressful because they push you and
push you, she explained.
But theres immense gratification from
what youve achieved. Im a competent
horse rider now.
She added: Ive fallen off quite a few
times but you have to show them you can
soldier on whatever happens.
While there are female musicians in both
the Band of The Life Guards and the Band
of The Blues and Royals, which combine to
form the Massed Band of The Household
Cavalry, WO1 Freeborn is the first woman to
take up the post of bandmaster in either.
Musician makes Household history
I CAN STILL HEAR BITS AND BOBS BUT NOTHING
USEFUL AND THE TINNITUS IS CONSTANT. I ALSO HAVE
A LOT OF EARACHES AND TROUBLE BALANCING
CAPT ANDREW HIEGHTON-JACKSON (3 SCOTS)
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A SHAFT of light falls through the Armed Forces
monument at the National Memorial Arboretum in
Staffordshire, marking a poignant moment ahead of
Remembrance Sunday this month. The sculpture,
which recognises all those who have given their lives
in service of our country since the Second World
War, depicts the body of a dead, naked soldier being
lifted by a Servicewoman and a Gurkha. Inscribed on
the wall behind are the words: We will remember
them. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Picture: Mike Weston
BRITISH TROOPS COMMENDED
FOR MOST COURAGEOUS ACTIONS
DURING OP HERRICK 13

Heading up heroes: Brig James
Chiswell, who commanded
Task Force Helmand during Op
Herrick 13, is pictured at Camp
Shorabak at the close of the tour
Picture: Graeme Main
BOLD AND
BRAVE
S
ERVICEMEN and women have been marked
out for their extraordinary bravery in the latest
round of honours and awards.
One hundred and forty troops are named on the
list, which recognises the heroic actions of British
military personnel on operations in Afghanistan and
elsewhere between October 1, 2010 and March 31
this year.
Commanding officer Brig James Chiswell (pictured
above) said 16 Air Assault Brigades role at the
helm of Task Force Helmand had left the countrys
insurgency fractured and demoralised.
On publication of the commendations, former
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox commented: Britain
has the best, most professional Armed Forces in the
world and for evidence of that one need look no
further than the citations for these awards.
The people recognised are amongst the bravest
of the brave.
They make me incredibly proud and should make
everyone across the country equally proud.
The majority of recipients are members of the
British Army but Royal Navy and Royal Air Force
personnel are also acknowledged. Some 25 troops
died during the deployment, a number of whom have
been awarded posthumously (page 29).
G AN ARMY dog
handler who led
numerous mine-
clearing missions
has been honoured
with an MBE.
A/Sgt Kaye Wilson
(RAVC) is described
in her citation as
operating at the
top of her game
and demonstrating
unwavering bravery during her third tour of
Afghanistan last winter.
The senior NCO and her Belgian
shepherd named Obama were often the
first feet on the ground when their counter-
IED search team was
called upon by
infantry units to clear safe
paths across some of the
most dangerous terrain in
Helmand province.
It was an intense tour
but I was with the right
people, the soldier said.
Working with high-
threat teams, it was
probably more secure
because of their excellent
knowledge and equipment.
One mammoth operation saw the
35-year-old and her dog provide a constant
presence as 25 buried bombs were
uncovered in a painstaking effort to clear a
four-kilometre stretch of road in the Nad-e
Ali district.
While working on the Bandi Barq route,
A/Sgt Wilsons team camped out on the
ground to stop insurgents from laying
further explosives.
After we got rid of the devices, they
would replace them behind us and lay
more ahead of us, she explained.
The citation states that the
Servicewoman led from the front with
technical proficiency and selfless
dedication, being the first to volunteer for
tasks regardless of location and threat.
Praising the tactical application of her
trade knowledge, it described her as an
inspiration to both the Theatre Military
Working Dogs Support Unit and the wider
Counter-IED Task Force community.
Its amazing but I feel very humbled
because its a team effort, said the NCO
on being given the award.
Im glad I have
received it, partly
on behalf of the
high-threat search
teams and other dog
handlers who in many
circumstances have
done far greater things
than I have.
A/Sgt Wilson was
part of the same unit
as LCpl Liam Tasker,
who was shot dead
while working on a clearance operation
with 1st Battalion, The Irish Guards.
The junior NCO received a posthumous
Mention In Dispatches for the part he
played in similar missions during the tour.
We are all very close so what
happened affected everyone, but
unfortunately jobs had to be done and we
all had to carry on, said A/Sgt Wilson,
paying tribute to her comrade.
G A SOLDIER awarded the Military Cross
for rescuing a wounded colleague under fire
had been fully trained for less than a year
when he took the brave action.
Weeks into his first operational tour,
Pte Bryan Johnson (5 Scots) was part of
a patrol inspecting a series of suspicious
buildings in the Nad-e Ali district of
Helmand province.
His multiple came under attack from
grenades and accurate automatic fire and
as he stormed the enemys compound a
Serviceman five metres ahead was shot in
the leg.
We were still taking heavy fire but
straight away I ran forward, grabbed him
and dragged him out before performing
first aid to stop the bleeding, Pte Johnson
said, recalling the incident.
It seemed like it was going on for hours
but I dont think it was that much more than
20 or 30 minutes.
It was very close, we could see the
rounds hitting near our feet and whistling
by our heads.
Leaving his shotgun with the wounded
soldier, Pte Johnson fought back with his
colleagues SA80, using its higher rate of
fire to suppress the insurgents who were
less than 20 metres away.
This enabled other members of the patrol
to extract the casualty.
The 24-year-olds citation states that
throughout the engagement he displayed
immense courage, coolness, dedication
and compassion.
Its a massive achievement and I have
a lot of pride and honour in getting the
award, the soldier said.
But on the other hand, its what we
get paid for and Id
expect the same from
my colleagues if it
had been me in that
situation.
When you sign up
you know the job that
youre going to do and
whats expected of you in
the Infantry.
He added: Nothing
can prepare you for the
real thing but when the day
comes you realise that the
training helps.
COMBAT
COMPOSURE
CANINE COMMITMENT
Im glad I have
received it,
partly on behalf
of the high-
threat search
teams and other
dog handlers
OA/Sgt Kaye Wilson
G AN ARMOURED vehicle driver has been
marked out for his show of courage in an
exchange far closer to home than Helmand.
LCpl Jason Robinson (QRH) challenged
a man with a handgun who was threatening
staff in a Birmingham branch of Ladbrokes
betting shop.
He has been awarded the Queens
Gallantry Medal for stopping the attempted
armed robbery.
The soldier who was on leave from his
base in Germany at the time was placing a
bet on a Sunderland football match when he
heard shouting.
As I turned round a man had a gun
pointing towards the ladies behind the
counter, explained the junior NCO, who has
just deployed on his first Op Herrick tour
with 20th Armoured Brigade.
For some reason I just started shouting
at him saying leave them alone. And thats
when he pointed the gun at me.
As a result of his bold intervention the
offender and his accomplice, who was
waiting at the door, both fled from the scene
empty-handed.
The 27-year-old father of two then gave
chase until the would-be robbers attempted
to drive their escape vehicle at him.
Jumping out of the way, the Serviceman
still managed to record the getaway cars
registration number.
On the basis of his evidence, a defendant
pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine
years imprisonment.
He had robbed the same shop the week
before, armed with a machete and escaped
with 1,390 in cash.
LCpl Robinsons citation describes his
actions as the most conspicuous bravery.
It was just a reaction when I heard the
shouting, he said.
At first I didnt think anything of it but
then it hit the papers and I started thinking
what the hell did I just do?.
Ive been to Iraq three times so for an
event like that to happen in Birmingham is
quite something.
THREE soldiers who made the ultimate
sacrifice during their tour of Afghanistan
have been hailed for their selfless actions.
G Pte Martin Bell, who was 24 when he
died, has been awarded the George Medal
for saving the life of another soldier back
in January.
He was one of the lead Vallon men
working with C Company, 2nd Battalion,
The Parachute Regiment.
After an explosion critically injured a
comrade and left Pte Bell with a damaged
detector, the soldier selflessly disobeyed
his commanders orders to stand still and
instead ran to help the casualty.
He set about administering first aid,
applying two tourniquets that saved the
Servicemans life.
But as he pulled the stretcher up a steep
bank towards an advancing medical team
his movements triggered another device
and he was killed.
The citation states that this courageous
act was far from an isolated incident.
During his operational tour he gained an
extraordinary reputation for being
the most brave and clear-thinking of
Service personnel.
G LCpl Liam Tasker, who died in action
in March aged 26, served with the Royal
Army Veterinary Corps and demonstrated
incredible nerve working alongside his dog
Theo to make 14 separate significant finds.
He has received a Mention in Dispatches
as the most successful arms explosive
search dog handler in Afghanistan since
operations began.
His citation states that he made an
outstanding contribution to the campaign.
G Pte Conrad Lewis of 4th Battalion, The
Parachute Regiment has also received a
Mention in Dispatches for his bravery as a
lead scout on Helmand patrols.
He was killed in February by insurgent
small-arms fire.
The citation notes that: Pte Lewiss
mates were always his top concern,
accepting huge personal risk to protect
colleagues on his first operational tour.
Lt Col James Coates, commanding
officer of 3rd Battalion, The Parachute
Regiment, paid tribute to the fallen
soldier while acknowledging an OBE for
the same tour.
He said the award was a fitting tribute
to an archetypal paratrooper.
HIGH STREET HEROICS
POSTHUMOUS
PRAISE
Bold intervention: LCpl Jason Robinson (QRH)
said he didnt think before giving chase
Below, Road clearance: Troops from the
Counter-IED Task Force work alongside Afghans
to clear a route in Helmand on Op Herrick 13
Picture: Sgt Rupert Frere, RLC
G RUNNING through
enemy fire to save
the life of a critically
wounded Afghan
soldier has earned Sgt
Glen Gardiner (2 Para)
the Military Cross.
The 35-year-old
from Ardrossan,
Scotland, was
working alongside an
Afghan National Army
platoon securing a compound in north west
Babaji when the group came under fire.
His colleague was shot through the throat
and the sergeant sprinted along an irrigation
ditch to try and save him.
During the action he was blown off his
feet by an enemy grenade.
Two bullets also passed
through the daysack he was
carrying on his back.
He clamped the soldiers
neck to try to stop the
bleeding but the man later
died of his injuries.
In Helmand, Sgt Gardiner
established himself as
someone who would routinely
search dangerous areas for IEDs
rather than sending young
personnel to do it.
His citation commends
his deep and widespread
reputation for gallantry and
unfaltering leadership.
OSgt Glen Gardiner
Troops pay their respects to Pte Joseva Vatubua
(5 Scots) who was killed in an explosion in
Helmand this year. The fallen are among those
named in the operational honours and awards.
G ENORMOUS
bravery
demonstrated by
a junior NCO who
carried a wounded
comrade to safety
during a fierce
insurgent attack has
been rewarded with
the Military Cross.
Cpl Darragh
Miskella (3 Para)
and his section had endured several
hours of repeated engagements when a
Taliban grenade injured 11 civilians in a
nearby compound.
The 25-year-old realised the casualty
evacuation helicopter would be a prime
target for the enemy and quickly moved
his men to a rooftop vantage point.
As the aerial platform arrived, a major
firefight erupted and the soldiers were
pinned down by machine guns, rifles
and grenades.
The intensity of the firepower meant
casualties were inevitable and the
machine gunner positioned next to
Cpl Miskella was shot in the hip.
With no regard to his own safety,
he lifted his injured colleague
onto his shoulders and carried
him across the roof and down the
ladder to a waiting medic.
He then returned to his position
to direct his section in a fraught
defence of the second helicopter
evacuation.
Cpl Miskellas citation states:
His actions were impressive;
that he also demonstrated
enormous personal bravery
in carrying one of his men to
safety is extraordinary.

OCpl Darragh Miskella
G A CORPORAL who
took out two enemy
positions single-
handedly despite
suffering a serious
injury has received the
Military Cross.
Cpl Martin Windmill
(2 Para) used a pistol,
grenade and rocket
launcher in a skilled
solo effort to hit the
enemy with instant and devastating effect.
It was instinctive, my body moved
without me thinking or telling it to,
explained the 24-year-old, recalling his
actions in response to a coordinated
ambush by insurgents near his patrol base.
Two grenades were thrown into
Cpl Windmills section from a closeby
compound as they came under small-
arms fire from a position 200 metres to
the south. One exploded next to the non-
commissioned officer, punching a piece of
shrapnel deep into his thigh.
Ignoring his injuries, Cpl Windmill hauled
two younger soldiers to safety before
grabbing a pistol, sprinting towards the
building and despatching a grenade to deal
with the close-quarter threat.
He then used a rocket launcher to strike
another enemy position.
After the engagement, the Servicemans
injury was bandaged and he continued on a
four-hour patrol with further fighting.
At the time it wasnt hurting, I still
had both my legs and there wasnt blood
spurting out so I was alright in my mind to
carry on, the section 2iC said.
There were still Taliban in the area so
rather than risk a helicopter for me it just
made sense to keep going until we reached a
safer area.
Cpl Windmills citation reads: Throughout
the battlegroup, Windmill is now simply
regarded as the bravest of the brave.
OCpl Martin Windmill
G A WARRANT
officer who helped to
save an Afghan soldier
and get a convoy of
vehicles out of danger
has been awarded the
Military Cross.
WO2 James Palmer
(RLC) was mentoring
Afghan National Army
(ANA) troops on a
joint resupply patrol
to a forward operating base when it was
attacked as it approached the Sangin bazaar.
As insurgents opened fire, ANA personnel
leapt from their unarmoured trucks to take
cover, causing the 25-strong fleet to come
to a halt.
Despite being under attack, WO2 Palmer
left his Husky and moved towards the front
of the convoy to coax the Afghans back into
their vehicles.
When they didnt listen I tried to get
close, so I sprinted across to them and saw
one of their soldiers was lying by the road,
said the 39-year-old Welshman.
He had been shot in the leg and after
assessing the situation, I decided to get him
back to my vehicle and got the team medic
to deal with him. I then told the Afghans to
get back in their trucks because we needed
to get out of there.
WO2 Palmers citation says he displayed
inspirational leadership, repeatedly placing
himself in danger despite knowing the risks.
OWO2 James Palmer
G A PLATOON
sergeant who led a
patrol that overran
seven enemy
positions after two
hours of fierce
fighting has been
awarded the Military
Cross.
Sgt Peter Keogh (1
R Irish) dashed 150
metres across open
ground to link up with a nearby section
that was pinned down by insurgent fire.
After exchanging information with them,
the senior NCO returned by the same
route, still under attack.
The guys were saying the rounds were
hitting the ground around me but it just
needed to be done. It was instinct, he
said, describing the incident.
The 30-year-old South African placed
himself in great danger again when
he administered first aid to a wounded
colleague before returning to the scene to
retrieve enemy weapons and equipment.
Sgt Keoghs citation describes his
conduct as extraordinary.
His aggressive and precise action led
to a demonstrable physical defeat for the
insurgent, it adds.
The soldier said: Every time we
stepped out of our patrol base we were
getting hit. I never smoke but I had a cigar
that day.
G ACTING as a
human shield to save
one of his colleagues
from a Taliban
grenade has resulted
in Lt Paul McFarland
(1 R Irish) being
awarded the Military
Cross.
The soldier was on
patrol with nine men
when the device came
flying over the wall of a compound they had
just secured.
Rather than running for cover, the
28-year-old grabbed a fellow Serviceman by
his body armour, spun him round and threw
him against the wall. In the same motion, he
turned his back on the grenade and dived on
top of the soldier.
In doing so he had deliberately placed
himself between his men and the explosion.
After detonating, the weapon sprayed
shrapnel around the compound.
Lt McFarland gave immediate chase to
the enemy but they had already fled.
Recalling the episode, the officer said: I
am proud of how I reacted but really it was
just instinctive.
I started getting stick straight away. The
lads were saying I bet you get an award for
this but all of them have saved my life on
numerous other occasions.
We were always together and always
working as a team.
OLt Paul McFarland OSgt Peter Keogh
G CONCERTED
effort to transform an
Afghan community
that had been
under the grip of
insurgent forces
has earned Maj
Alexander Turner (IG)
the Distinguished
Service Order.
The officer
commanded a
company from Forward Operating Base
Khar Nikar in the Upper Gereshk Valley.
All but 20 of the 100 families in the
locality had left due to intimidation by the
enemy and in the final two months of 2010
there had been 46 small-arms contacts.
Maj Turner quickly established himself
as a pivotal figure in the community,
working closely with elders and leaders
who turned to him for advice.
His actions allowed scores of families
to return to their homes and the number
of contacts fell to just 12 in the first two
months of this year.
Maj Turner took part in more than 100
patrols and 70 skirmishes with the enemy
on a tour that saw his team suffer two
deaths and six amputations.
The citation reads: His effect on the
insurgency in this key area was profound
and changed the dynamic, creating
an impact far beyond his geographic
boundaries and time-limited mission.
Maj Turner said his team needed to
empower the Afghan people to govern
themselves.
G THE brain behind
a strategy that
helped to break
the insurgency in a
particularly difficult
part of Helmand has
been given an OBE
for his leadership and
innovation.
Lt Col James
Coates, commanding
officer of 3rd
Battalion, The Parachute Regiment,
described the prestigious award as a
tremendous honour.
Commanding the Nad-e Ali North
Combined Force, his units managed to clear
the whole western section of their area of
operations in November 2010.
Lt Col Coatess strategy not only
targeted individuals but entire networks
of insurgents. This paved the way for
education, health and counter-IED
campaigns to be rolled out.
His citation reads: Lt Col Coatess
targeting methodology set the benchmark
across the whole International Security
Assistance Force in Afghanistan as the
exemplar in exploiting the emerging
surveillance technology.
The officer said: It was a real privilege
to command such a high quality group of
people in Afghanistan.
Their dedication and professionalism is
reflected in the awards received across the
battlegroup at all levels.
He also paid tribute to those from the
brigade who died during the tour.
OLt Col James Coates OMaj Alexander Turner
G AN Apache pilot
has been awarded
the Air Force Cross
for selflessness
and extraordinary
professionalism.
Capt Steven Jones
(AAC) piloted the
attack helicopter
during two casualty
rescue missions a
role not normally
associated with the sophisticated gunships
during December last year.
In one task, an infantry patrol had struck
an IED, killing one soldier and seriously
wounding several others.
The blast had disabled the troops radios
apart from the one used to communicate
with aircraft.
Capt Jones relayed the units messages
for urgent help, despite being low on fuel.
You can never leave a man behind, the
officer explained.
Yes we were low on fuel but that
doesnt matter when there are soldiers
lives at risk.
You would never normally do it there
are manageable levels set for a reason or
you risk the engine stopping for example
but I couldnt not respond.
After an emergency response helicopter
reached the injured personnel, Capt Jones
returned to base to discover that his fuel
gauge was registering the lowest ever
level that Apaches have been known to
run on dangerously below the amount
that is safe for a flight.
OCapt Steven Jones
G A 23-YEAR-OLD soldier who acted far
beyond his age and rank on the front line
has received a Mention in Dispatches.
LBdr Lewis Denyer, pictured right, of 7th
Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
was working as a fire support team assistant
at a checkpoint when his patrol came under
enemy attack.
He helped his men out of the ambush
while providing immediate and life-saving
first aid to a severely wounded comrade.
When a medic arrived on the scene he
moved out of cover, spotted the enemys
position and directed mortars onto it while
under machine gun fire.
The soldiers citation notes that it was
not uncommon for LBdr Denyer to put
himself in personal danger to observe
areas of threat.
Over a two-month period he climbed
on to the checkpoint roof eight times to
coordinate responses.
Denyer displayed remarkable
courage under fire, clarity of thought and
decisiveness, it states.
His efforts undoubtedly reduced the
number of casualties and disrupted the
insurgents campaign.
G A TERRITORIAL Army engineer
tasked with building a new patrol base in
Helmand province has been honoured for
the inspirational leadership he displayed
in the aftermath of a deadly bomb blast.
Maj Christopher Wilcock (23 Engr Regt)
was managing the project in the east of
Gereshk when an improvised explosive
device killed a member of the search team
clearing the site.
The officer, who was also leading
a team of advisers mentoring Afghan
engineers, was ten metres from the blast
and took command instantly, organising a
safe path to the victim.
He put himself in further danger by
helping those who had been disorientated
by the explosion.
His citation for the Queens
Commendation for Valuable Service
states: By sheer determination, coupled
with remarkable energy and calm courage
in adversity, Maj Wilcock single-handedly
ensured that the task, and therefore the
operation, ended successfully.
His actions were critical to the success
of the build and courageous in response to
a shocking and violent incident.
Maj Wilcock said: It feels particularly
significant as an officer in the Territorial
Army to be mentioned in the Operational
Honours and Awards.
G A WARTHOG
driver who left his
cab twice under
enemy fire to rescue
colleagues trapped in
a stricken vehicle has
received a Mention
in Dispatches for his
incredible bravery.
Tpr Jamie Ross
(2 RTR) was part of
a section providing
armoured support to an infantry patrol in
the Nad-e Ali district when his multiple
came under attack.
One of the soldiers on the ground was
wounded as insurgents engaged the
British troops with small-arms and rocket-
propelled grenades.
Tpr Ross drove his Warthog forward to
help evacuate the casualty but as he did
so the vehicle in front of him tipped into
an irrigation ditch as the banks collapsed.
With no other troops on the ground to
help, the 22-year-old driver dismounted
under fire and hooked the stricken vehicle
to his own to tow it to safety. The brave
tankie then exited his cab once more to
unhitch the recovered Warthog.
It was like Call of Duty with rounds
going off and compounds on fire, the
adrenalin was pumping, explained
Tpr Ross.
There was no covering fire because
commanders were all pinned down by
heavy accurate fire from the insurgents.
His citation describes his actions that
day as critical.
The fact that Ross dismounted twice
under sustained and accurate enemy fire
to handle heavy towing gear and assist
colleagues was a show of resolve and
courage beyond his experience and rank,
it states.
G THE wisdom and pastoral care he
offered to soldiers as he walked alongside
them on deadly patrols has led to an
Army chaplain being awarded the Queens
Commendation for Valuable Service.
Rev Andrew Earl, pictured right, who
deployed with 23 Engineer Regiment and
the Counter-IED Task Force on his first
operational tour, is described in his citation
as a wise, mature priest.
In the first weeks of deployment two
soldiers from his unit were killed and two
more received life-changing injuries.
During his time in Helmand, the 50-year-
old travelled across the area of
operations, ensuring that he had
close daily contact with troops in
order to support them.
All I did was go where my
blokes and girls were and hopefully
brought them some cheer, Rev
Earl said.
Coming to terms with friends
being injured or killed and walking the
ground not knowing whether its the
left or right foot that might trigger a
device, that requires a different order
of courage.
OTpr Jamie Ross
G SAVING the life of
a severely wounded
soldier has earned
an officer a Mention
in Dispatches.
His actions also
included 23 high-
risk searches for
roadside bombs in
Helmand province.
Capt Michael
Lowry (RLC) led
a team tasked with hunting out IEDs
in some of the most dangerous areas
patrolled by British troops.
At the start of one operation near
Lashkar Gah a searcher in Capt Lowrys
team stepped on a device, triggering an
explosion that engulfed him in flames.
Pte Alex Stringer (RLC) received
severe injuries in the blast which
resulted in the loss of both legs and one
of his arms.
At the same time Capt Lowrys team
came under accurate enemy fire, with
rocket-propelled grenades passing
over their heads as the officer and his
colleagues helped administer life-saving
first aid to the young soldier.
Its at that moment your world comes
crashing down because you dont expect
it to happen to you, said the 31-year-
old.But the training just kicked in and
we ran straight back to the casualty and
tried to help him.
Capt Lowrys citation states he
was a shining example to his men,
demonstrating selflessness and courage.
OCapt Michael Lowry
G THE Brigade
Reconnaissance Force
commander for Op
Herrick 13 has been
awarded an MBE
for his consistent
gallantry and inspired
leadership.
Maj Matthew
Cansdale of The
Parachute Regiment
led from the front in
more than 30 firefights despite on one
occasion being hurt by an improvised
explosive device.
His unit undertook a variety of complex
tasks and detained a number of insurgent
commanders during the tour.
Maj Cansdale and his men spent much
of their time in the most testing parts of
Helmand province.
During one mission, the officers vehicle
struck a roadside device. The force of the
explosion flipped it over and destroyed a
nearby bridge.
Although injured, he refused to leave the
scene of the blast and ensured that traffic
on one of Afghanistans primary routes
was properly coordinated.
The commanders citation states: From
the desert fringes to the fertile river valley,
each deployment required a different
approach, but all demanded meticulous
preparation and the ability to react to
changing circumstances.
Maj Cansdale proved extremely adept
at this, planning and executing some 19
deliberate operations.
OMaj Mathew
Cansdale
AFGHANISTAN
Commander of the Order
of the British Empire
Brig James Robert CHISWELL, late Para.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Lt Col James Alexander COATES, Para; Lt
Col Christopher John GHIKA, IG; Lt Col
Adam William Ace GRIFFITHS, Scots; Lt Col
Simon Tony HUTCHINGS, RLC.
Member of the Order of the British Empire
Maj Matthew Timothy CANSDALE, Para;
Maj Gareth Elwyn John HICKS, Para; Maj
Crispin John HUMM, Para; Maj James
Alexander HUMPHREYS, R Irish; Capt
Simon James OXLEY, RE; Lt Col Nicholas
Charles Laybourne PERRY, KRH; A/Sgt Kaye
Gina WILSON, RAVC.
Distinguished Service Order
A/Col Andrew Sean David HARRISON, late
Para; Maj Ian Alexander Jonathan TURNER,
IG; Lt Col Colin Richard James WEIR, R
Irish.
Military Cross
Sgt Luke Alexander COLE, Para; Capt Iain
Robin CURREN, Scots; Cpl Johannes
Jacobus FOURIE, Para; Sgt Glen William
John GARDINER, Para; A/Capt Luke Arthur
James HIGGINSON, Para; Pte Bryan
JOHNSON, Scots; Sgt Peter KEOGH, R Irish;
2nd Lt Paul David MCFARLAND, R Irish; A/
Cpl Darragh Rory MISKELLA, Para; WO2
James Louis PALMER, RLC; Pte Alfred
Owen James POPE, Para; LCpl Ratu Apenisa
QALITAKIVUNA, R Irish; Maj Daniel REEVE,
Rifles; Cpl Martin James WINDMILL, Para.
Air Force Cross
Capt Steven John Paul JONES, AAC.
Associate Royal Red Cross Medal
Lt Col Sharon Ann STEWART, QARANC (V).
George Medal
Pte Martin Simon George BELL, Para
(killed in action).
Queens Gallantry Medal
LCpl Sebastian Edward WYTON-DE LISLE,
R Signals.
Mention in Dispatches
Cpl Peter BUCHANAN, Scots; Maj Alistair
James CAMERON, RTR; A/Cpl Craig
Graham CAMPBELL, R Signals; A/Sgt
Scott James Heron COX, Scots; Sjt Martin
James DAVIES, Rifles; LBdr Lewis William
DENYER, RHA; Capt Charles William
James GAIR, IG; Lt Ralph St John Edmund
GORE, IG; SSgt David Kenneth HIGGINS,
Para; Pte Lydia Rebekah HILSON, RAMC;
LCpl Darren Adam KEE, RE; Cpl Michael
Alexander KENNEDY, Para; SSgt Colin
James LAMBOURNE, Para; Pte Conrad
LEWIS, Para (V) (killed in action); Spr
Martin William LITTLE, RE; Capt Michael
Curtis LOWRY, RLC; Lt James Digby Scott
MACDONALD, Para; Rgr Peter MAWHINNEY,
R Irish; Rgr Liam Martin MCDONALD, R
Irish; Cpl Shaun Michael MCGLYNN, Para;
A/Capt Iain Murray MCMAHON, Para;
LCoH Paul William MINTER, HCR; Pte
Dean Andrew MORGAN, R Welsh; A/WO2
Callum George MUIR, Scots; Cpl David John
NUNNERLEY, Para; Tpr Jamie Lee ROSS,
RTR; LCpl Craig Michael SLOAN, Scots;
LCpl Liam Richard TASKER, RAVC (killed in
action); Sgt James Godfrey THOMAS, RE;
Cpl Marc Robert THOMPSON, Para; Gdsm
Christopher Martin TOBIN, IG; Pte Joweli
Vakalalavanua TOLUTINIKAONO, Scots;
Sgt Harley David James UPHAM, RTR; Pte
Mark James VIDLER, Para; Lt Gary William
WARD, Para; Sgt Eric William WILSON,
Scots; Sgt Stuart Charles WOOD, Para; SSgt
Kenny Robert WRIGHT, Para.
Queens Commendation for Bravery
Cpl Kate Charlotte LAWLESS, AGC (RMP);
WO2 Iain Crichton MARTIN, RLC; Pte
Christopher Graham MAXFIELD, Para; Gdsm
Michael William Henry MCMURTRY, IG;
LCpl Shaun Anthony POLL, Para; Cpl Daniel
Russell SCOTT, RE; LCpl Nicholas William
TAYLOR, RE.
Queens Commendation
for Valuable Service
Cpl Christopher DAY, Int Corps; Maj James
Alexander DOWLE, Rifles (V); Cpl Michael
James Patrick DOWNES, REME; Rev
Andrew John EARL, RAChD; Lt Col Michael
Richard ELVISS, RA; Cpl Donna Ann FROST,
AGC (RMP); Cpl Stephen Innes Stuart GALL,
Scots (V); Sgt Duncan Anthony GORDON,
RE; Lt Col Dougald Stewart Grant GRAHAM,
Scots; A/Maj Derek John HENDRY, Para;
Maj Matthew Howard JONES, Int Corps; A/
Maj Peter Hamilton LECKEY, R Irish (V); Col
Simon Rupert Durac MARR, late RRF; Capt
Paul James MARTIN, R Irish; LCpl Stacey
NICHOLSON, AGC (RMP); Brig Robert
Malcolm Bowstead NITSCH, late REME; Maj
Gen George Pemberton Ross NORTON, late
Gren Gds; Col Andrew John PARK, late Int
Corps; LCpl Patrick Thomas QUINN, REME;
Capt Neil Michael SIERENS, AAC; Capt Craig
Ross SMITH, RLC; Maj Piers Guy Beresford
STRUDWICK, Scots; Maj Richard TODD,
Para; Capt Tobias WHITMARSH, R Irish;
Maj Nicholas WIGHT-BOYCOTT, Scots; Capt
Christopher Michael WILCOCK, RE (V).
REST OF THE WORLD
Member of the Order of the British Empire
WO2 Paul Anthony NICOLL, Int Corps.
Cpl Christopher John MCMAHON, Para.
Queens Commendation
for Valuable Service
SSgt Stephen Richard CATCHPOLE, Rifles;
Maj James Arthur GEDNEY, Para; Col
Wayne Richard HARBER, late R Irish; Capt
Peter William HENDRICK, Int Corps; Maj
Alexander McClay RENNIE, Scots; SSgt
Damion Robert WILLIAMS, Int Corps.

MISCELLANEOUS AWARDS
Queens Gallantry Medal
LCpl Jason Lee ROBINSON, QRH; Cpl Aaron
John REAY, RRF.
A/CSgt Robert James MCGOWAN, RRF;
LCpl Jonathan David TABERNER, REME.

OPERATIONAL HONOURS AND AWARDS
Para pride: Cpl Darragh Miskella
(3 Para) is congratulated by
Commander-in-Chief Land
Forces Gen Sir Nick Parker at
Wellington Barracks in London
Soldiers descend on maritime city to

simulate tomorrows conflicts
Report: Sharon Kean
Pictures: Steve Dock
I
N a helicopter circling over Southampton,
mission commanders are noting key river
crossings, major road junctions and possible
resupply routes.
Rebel forces have pushed into the city from the
north and a British-led battlegroup has been deployed
to help resolve the situation.
Officers are using their aerial view to help them
plan a tactical assault to regain control of the ground.
But closer inspection at street level reveals there
are no insurgents, tanks or gun battles no sign at all
of an armed conflict.
And aside from a few uniformed soldiers manning
observation posts in high-rise buildings, it is like any
other day in the Hampshire city.
This is fast forward to 2020, explains Maj Gary
Connolly (REME), the officer responsible for planning
Exercise Urban Warrior, an Army-run experiment
designed to test the Services ability to cope with
future conflicts.
We are operating under a United Nations mandate
and have deployed to a littoral site, which could be
anywhere in the world.
Theres a well trained and incredibly motivated
enemy with a full range of technical weapons.
This could quite easily be Benghazi but for this
exercise we are fighting a hypothetical urban war
in Southampton.
Actions taken by the 360-strong 1 Mechanised
Brigade headquarters in the scenario will highlight the
Armys strengths and weaknesses.
But more importantly, it will produce evidence
that can be used to inform decisions made by senior
officers and politicians about the Services future.
Brig Tim Robinson, commander of 1 Mech Bde
and officer leading the deployed battlegroup, tells
Soldier the most demanding environment has been
picked for the trial.
We are focusing on a city because thats where
most of the worlds population live, where politics
tends to happen and where we know it is hardest to
operate, he explains.
Motorway junctions in the metropolis are
juxtaposed with dense, constricted and cluttered
streets lined with terraced houses that would be
unsuitable for manoeuvring many of the Armys large
armoured fighting vehicles.
Were using residential tower blocks as vantage
points and the local council and emergency planning
team are on board, adds Maj Connolly.
We also have a live technical CCTV feed for the
entire city centre, beamed from the police station into
our brigade headquarters to help paint a picture of
the scenario.
The bulk of this exercise takes place in the Urban
Warrior arena a large tent equipped with a map
board and multiple flat screens flashing up images
from Southamptons streets, regional news broadcasts
and aerial footage gathered by roving aircraft.
The idea is that we describe whats happened
in the battle and open it up to the floor to hear what
people think, says Brig Robinson.
Some of the discussions are quite animated
and there have already been arguments and
disagreements.
Royal Engineers are considering the
subterranean aspects of Southampton,
while infantry commanders are deciding
how best to spread relatively small
numbers of troops across large areas
of land.
And a mixture of specialists from
the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy,
as well as civilian agencies and the
MoD, have been drafted in for the five-
day experiment to offer their expertise.
Inspector Ian Whyton from Hampshire
Constabulary is sharing his experience
of dealing with the civil unrest during this
summers riots.
Theres a joint police-Army role in returning
somewhere to a state of normality as quickly as we
can after a conflict, he explains.
You cant do it unless you get buy-in from the
local population: you cant impose something on
them as theyll resent you for it, so you need to find
influential people in the community.
Sky News correspondent Lorna Ward, who was
recently embedded with rebel fighters in Libya, is on
hand to advise commanders about communicating
during operations.
We are looking at everything from contact with the
press, media training, how journalists react to events
on the ground and the implications that will have, to
the general public and their interpretation of it, says
the Reservist major, who is part of the Armys media
operations group.
This has always been a secondary consideration
in conflicts because the immediate priority is the front
line and teeth arms.
But because Urban Warrior is an experiment,
Ive been able to highlight just how important it is
and therefore how we should put messaging out and
manage it in our favour.
She adds: Social media is another tool to use in
our arsenal it can shape the situation on the ground
and motivate a huge number of people in a very short
amount of time.
If we as military personnel want to keep up with
the world at large, we need to start harnessing
those abilities and techniques.
On an equally important footing
is the Services grasp of the latest
gadgets and gizmos and any new
technology that might appear on the
future front line.
MoD scientific adviser Dr
Peter Harvey is helping Brig
Robinsons men plug any
equipment capability gaps that
emerge during their simulated
2020 conflict.
One of the situations that has
come up is underground warfare, the civilian
specialist explains.
Where are the tunnels and caves? If you dont have
a map then you will need to find them.
You could use acoustic sensors. I can advise on
the likely maturity of that technology in 2020, how
deep it might be able to work and how effective it is in
different situations.
He adds: Weve also been trying to understand an
enemy who is embedded into an urban area.
We dont know where he is and we dont have the
luxury of dominating the skies as we have for the past
ten years on operations so Ive advised on what other
options there might be in future.
It could be new long-range stand-off imaging
pods or a swarm of mini UAVs over the area,
communicating with each other and taking thousands
of pictures and stitching them together to give a really
good map of the ground.
However, Dr Harvey has issued soldiers with a note
of caution about any futuristic fighting aids.
There is a massive array of technologies that we
could have in 2020, but the enemy could have them
too, he says.
So its just as important to know how to defend
against them.
Among other experts taking part in the Urban
Warrior experiment the largest of its type to date
are personnel from MI5 and the UK Government
Communications Headquarters, who offer advice on
intelligence assets.
Exercises of this type which have the potential to
change the way the Army trains, writes doctrine and
procures equipment in years to come are likely to
become an increasingly routine part of military life.
When resources are tight its really worth investing
the time and effort to ensure the way we work in the
future is as effective as it can be, says Brig Robinson.
Simply by going through this experience we will
all immediately go away that bit more prepared.
But it will also provide the evidence to decide what
sort of Service we need to be
beyond Afghanistan. Q

Left and above, Sky scouts: Airborne ofcers
assess a hypothetical area of operations
Right, Ground control: Troops from 1 Mech Bde
plan and coordinate missions from a makeshift
headquarters during Exercise Urban Warrior
Report: Tristan Kelly
Picture: Steve Dock
S
INCE opening earlier this year, the 12 million
state-of-the-art workshop responsible for keeping
front-line vehicles rolling has been a busy place.
The Defence Support Groups centre, part of the
MoDs equipment sustainability system programme,
aims to eliminate the requirement for kit rotation by
moving experts to where crucial repairs need to be
carried out.
The 97 civilian mechanics and support staff
populating this sophisticated purpose-built complex
undertake planned, periodic deep repairs saving the
government around 15 million a year in transport costs
as a result.
All manner of vehicles in the military fleet are
overhauled here from the Jackal, Ridgback and
Huskey to tankers, loaders and plant equipment
including excavators, bulldozers and generators.
Our portfolio is continuing to expand, explained the
workshops head of production Steve Faulkner.
At the moment we do 60 to 65 platforms a month but
over the next three months that is going to go up to 85.
Servicing a vehicle in southern Afghanistan involves
much more than just changing the oil and checking
the brakes.
Suspension, running gear and electrics all take a
battering in Helmand, Faulkner added.
We see a lot of platforms come in with some pretty
severe damage.
Showing off the skeletal remains of a tracked digger,
he explained how it had been dropped from the back of
a Chinook and lost its top cab during the fall.
We have put much of it back together again and
straightened it up. That will go back out on the ground
now and be fine, he said.
With long shifts and a 54-week tour in the less-than-
salubrious surroundings of Camp Bastion, it might
seem that civilians willing to undertake this work are
difficult to find.
But the reality is to the contrary.
We have loads of volunteers, revealed the team
leader. For every member of staff that is here, we have
three or four lined up behind them.
For the non-military personnel who make up this
group, a reward of the job is the sense of pride they get
from assisting the latest batch of brave troops on the Op
Herrick mission.
There is a real can-do attitude here, said Faulkner.
The front line is just 15 miles away and people soon
realise there is a guy getting shot at who could need the
vehicle they are working on.
Mark Davis, a mechanic working on MAN trucks in the
service area, admitted that hearing about the effect of
his work on the ground was a great motivator.
You know you have to get it right because,
ultimately, the work you do here is saving lives out
there, the Reservist added. Q
Force fi xers
Bastion mechanics ramp up repairs
Report: Sarah Goldthorpe
F
LYING into conflict zones and standing
alongside troops on the front line,
the British Armys lawyers are a far
cry from the desk-bound, bookish
stereotype that plagues many of their civvy
street colleagues.
In stark contrast to the wigged and robed
orators of the UKs court rooms, these ever-
practical globetrotting professionals have
ditched trusty reference books in favour
of ruggedised laptops that provide instant
updates on new and evolving case law.
Since the war in Afghanistan began,
operational lawyers from the Legal Services
branch of the Armys Adjutant Generals
Corps have been travelling with brigades
into all battle zones.
After embedding and training with their
formations for 12 months, the 19-strong
group of highly skilled barristers and
solicitors deploy to the desert to give
soldiers of all ranks impartial legal advice on
any aspect of their work from the obvious
topics of rules of engagement, Geneva
Conventions, criminal law and human
rights to the more surprising areas of
environmental legislation and divorce.
The whole ethos of the operational law
branch is to look after troops while they are
on ops, both in terms of what they can and
cant do but also in relation to personal legal
advice, explained Brig David Yates, who
heads up the department.
But we are not in ivory towers, miles and
miles from the front line.
By the lawyers own admission, this is the
best job they have ever had.
Capt Ben Taylor returned from Lashkar
Gah earlier this year, where he deployed
alongside both 4th Mechanized Brigade and
16 Air Assault Brigade.
It was absolutely fascinating, he said.
From a legal perspective you get to see
issues play out in front of you; your advice
has a real and direct consequence.
On the reaction of personnel to his
guidance, he said: Soldiers usually have
really good instinct so there are often
discussions about whether they can act on
that or not.
Where civilians are killed or injured,
lawyers might work with soldiers to
understand what happened.
I didnt see anything that indicated any
of our people had acted outside the rules
of engagement, but accidents happen and
thats the nature of conflict.
Brig Yates admitted the role is not without
its challenges.
When you are working in urban
environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan,
where its difficult to distinguish between
innocent civilians and the enemy, it becomes
complex, he said.
There are times when fighting is pretty
straightforward legally speaking, but
peacekeeping and dealing with insurgency is
more difficult.
Former criminal defence lawyer Maj
Helen Ellis added: Its about getting people
when the british army has
elements on standby for
emergencies, we also have
officers available to deal
with those situations
Brig David Yates, Operational Law Branch
to respond to your advice and giving it a
human touch.
Telling people that something is just the
rules is not enough.
Maj Stephanie Beazley said: The job
is fast-paced and high-pressured and
can certainly create some
colourful situations.
But we must all be
prepared to deploy as far
forward as needed.
By throwing themselves
into the Herrick mission and
sharing expertise with other
military forces overseas, this
department is upholding the
British Armys reputation for
quality and professionalism.
But its origins coincided
with a period that was anything but proud.
The branch was in its infancy when the
violent abuse of Baha Mousa by UK troops
was brought to light in 2003.
Hoping to right the many wrongs of that
scandal, and in reaction to burgeoning
operational commitments, the Service
recognised its soldiers needed stronger
legal assistance.
Brig Yates, who twice gave evidence to
the inquiry into the death of the Iraqi civilian,
explained to Soldier that a
huge amount has changed
since then.
We got five additional
posts in order to better
address some issues coming
out of that investigation,
he said.
Even though the Army is
reducing in size, this unit has
actually grown.
British Forces have never
been under more legal
scrutiny and that, coupled with individuals
increasing willingness to bring procedures
against employers, means life is getting
busier for these lawyers.
We currently have nine officers in
Afghanistan, one in Italy in support of
operations over Libya and another working
with the International Military Assistance
Training Team in Sierra Leone, the senior
officer added.
When the British Army has elements
on standby for emergencies, we also
have officers available to deal with those
situations for example in the event of
chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear incidents.
The complexity of the role and the
flexibility of the Servicemen and women
doing it means personnel can be assured
they are operating well within all the relevant
laws, rules and policies.
These professionals have to know their
subject, be robust and unafraid to tell a
senior officer what he should be doing, the
brigadier said.
You can have the greatest academic
lawyer in the world but if they are not
credible to a commander, they wont be
listened to.
we must all
be prepared
to deploy as
far forward
as needed
Gilbert going
SOLO
Pictures courtesy of Channel 4

T
HE last two generations of men in his family may have signed
up to the British Forces, but Greg Davies was only ever
destined to do one thing. And fighting it aint.
Best known for playing the world-weary disciplinarian Mr Gilbert
in hit television series and film The Inbetweeners, the comedian is
currently getting stuck into his first ever solo stand-up tour, which
has an impressive total of 93 dates in the UK.
If only he wasnt such an exhibitionist, a career in the military
might have been an option.
My grandfather was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers and when I was at home recently my mum showed me a
script he wrote for the REME yearly pantomime, Davies explained to
Sarah Goldthorpe.
I had no idea that even the part of my family in the Armed Forces
was still showing off to people I thought he was the one manly man
of our family!
My father brags that he was in the Marines too. But after signing
up and filling out all the papers he failed his medical. He was in for a
day, basically.
Rather in keeping with the rest of my relatives, I think a man who
has eaten as many pasties as me would also fail the initial test.
I saw a video of myself recently and thought why dont you get to
the gym you fat prick?.
Questionable military links aside, Davies is full of admiration for
the British Army.
It doesnt matter what your views are on any conflict, most people
are united by their admiration for what soldiers are doing, he added.
I cant comprehend living and working in the conditions of
Helmand province.
Service personnel are proving to be a welcome addition to the
Mock the Week panellists fan base as his tour continues.
I have attempted to figure out my demographic but it seems
to vary from teenagers through to pensioners, the comedian
told Soldier.
Ive had loads of troops come to see me so far God bless The
Inbetweeners, thats what I say!
When you first start doing comedy you are told that certain
groups will be a problem oh squaddies people will comment.
But in all honesty I have consistently found them to be perfect
audience members.
I met a Serviceman the other week who was going to do his
second tour of Afghanistan and we chatted for a while after one of
the shows. He said to me, oh I couldnt do what you do mate.
Bloody hell I laughed my head off. Thats nothing compared to
what they do! Q
A decade in
the desert
Key moments during ten years
of conflict in Afghanistan
2001
AL-QAEDA terrorists hijack four US planes
on September 11, crashing two of them into
the twin towers of New Yorks World Trade
Centre and killing nearly 3,000 people. The
following month, Prime Minister Tony Blair
commits British troops to an American-led
military operation against the Taliban regime
in Afghanistan. Royal Marines from 40
Commando become the first UK troops to join
the effort, helping to secure Bagram airfield.
At the end of the year the International
Security Assistance Force (Isaf) is created,
authorised by a United Nations Security
Council resolution. >>
2002
FROM this year, all British deployments
in Afghanistan are conducted under the
codename Operation Herrick. In April,
23-year-old Pte Darren George becomes
the first UK Serviceman to die in the
conflict. A colleague suffering a dizzy
spell while in control of a machine gun
shot The Royal Anglian Regiment soldier
on patrol. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon
said: The remaining
al-Qaeda and Taliban
elements must be
dealt with. We must
complete the task in
full. The events of
September 11 have
shown us what could
happen if we do not.
2003
BRITISH forces begin a successful
programme to train junior non-
commissioned officers for the Afghan
National Army. This is followed by the
announcement of the UKs first provincial
reconstruction team in Mazar-e-Sharif.
The deployment in Kabul is expanded to
battalion size and in August Nato takes
control of security the organisations
first commitment
to operations
outside Europe.
Stage one of Isaf
expansion begins
towards the end
of the year.
Centre of operations: Camp Bastion in 2006
Hunted: Osama Bin Laden was nally killed in
Pakistan earlier this year in a covert operation
overseen by US President Barack Obama
Fighting the Taliban: Tony Blair and George Bush
2006
HEADING up a 3,300-strong British
presence is 16 Air Assault Brigade. The
main force is based at the recently created
Camp Bastion and two months into the
formations deployment, new Defence
Secretary Des Browne says operations
will soon be bolstered by a further 870
personnel. International donors meet in
London and pledge more than 5.7 billion in
reconstruction aid to Afghanistan over five
years. In August, Lt Gen David Richards,
the British commander of Nato forces in
the country, says UK troops in Helmand are
engaged in some of the most intense and
prolonged fighting seen by the Army for half
a century. Fourteen British Servicemen are
killed when their RAF Nimrod plane explodes
near Kandahar.
2004
COMMAND of UK-led reconstruction
teams transfers to Isaf. Further groups
are established in Feyzabad and Baghlan
by German and Dutch personnel. Britain
contributes the bulk of troops needed
for a new quick reaction force in Mazar-
e-Sharif, bringing its total number of
soldiers to around 1,000. In September,
the UK deploys six Harrier GR7 aircraft
to Kandahar to support operations
there. Following an election in which 90
per cent of the electorate turned out,
Hamid Karzai is declared president of
the country. He is sworn in, amid tight
security, in December. The commanding
officer of British Forces in the region
Col Charlie Darrell said: Those of us
who were here on election day, from
me down to the lowest rifleman, felt we
were witnessing something historic.
2005
NATO states that Isaf will expand
further into the west of Afghanistan.
The BBC reports that the countrys
government is pressing ahead with
an opium war as poppy eradication
meets resistance from farmers in
the south. In September, the first
parliamentary and provincial elections
for more than 30 years are held. At
the end of the year the UK government
confirms that its personnel could
be sent to the more volatile region
of Helmand province. Dr John Reid
takes office as Defence Secretary,
replacing Geoff Hoon under t he
Labour government.
Geoff Hoon
2007
NATO and Afghan forces launch
Operation Achilles, the largest
offensive to clear the Taliban out of
Helmand province. Gen Ton van Loon,
Natos commander in the south, said:
There is no scheduled end date to this
operation. Isaf and Afghan National
Security Forces will continue to apply
pressure to extremists and pursue
reconstruction and development
objectives until they are achieved.
In November, a
suicide attack on
a parliamentary
delegation kills at
least 41 people in
the northern town
of Baghlan.
2008
AT a meeting of Nato leaders in Romania,
the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan
is described as a top priority. Members
pledge a firm and shared long-term
commitment to the country. Three soldiers
are killed in a suicide attack in Helmand,
taking the total number of UK military
deaths to 100. More than 2,000 Service
personnel lead an operation to transport a
huge new hydro-electric turbine 110 miles
by road through Taliban territory to the
Kajaki dam. Defence Secretary Des Browne
announces that British troop numbers will
increase by 230 to a new high of more than
8,000. He said: I am in little doubt that we
are winning. In November, Democratic
senator Barack Obama is elected as the first
black president of America.
.
2009
LT Col Rupert Thorneloe, commanding
officer of 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards,
becomes the most senior British Army
officer to die on operations since the
Falklands conflict. The Chief of the Defence
Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup,
describes the harsh environment in which
soldiers conducted Op Panchai Palang
the effort to drive Taliban members out
of a former stronghold in Helmand as
extremely adverse. He said: They know
what they are there to do and are
succeeding. The UK death toll
in the country reaches 200
as five troops are killed
by a rogue Afghan
policeman in the Nad-e
Ali district.
2010
FIFTEEN thousand British, US and Afghan
troops launch a major joint offensive against
insurgents in central Helmand codenamed
Op Moshtarak, in a bid to secure government
control of southern areas. An international
conference endorses President Karzais
timetable for responsibility of security to be
transferred to Afghan forces by 2014. Nato
agrees to the plan but on his first visit to the
country as Prime Minister, David Cameron
warns the coalition is facing a vital year.
Dr Liam Fox is
appointed Defence
Secretary. The Sangin
area is handed over to
the US Marine Corps
by 40 Commando
Royal Marines.
2011
DAVID Cameron announces that more than
400 troops will be leaving Helmand within
months, but warns their return does not
mark the start of a general withdrawal. He
later reveals that an extra 500 personnel
will come back in 2012. In May, al-Qaeda
leader Osama Bin Laden mastermind of
the September 11 attacks and the worlds
most wanted man is killed in a US special
forces operation in Pakistan. President
Obama later announces the withdrawal of
10,000 US soldiers and another 23,000 by
October 2012. British troops hand over
responsibility for security in Lashkar
Gah to Afghan forces. Dr Fox
says their work has made
Great Britain a safer place.
Report: Sharon Kean
A
SMALL cluster of British troops
have been testing a new therapy
that uses scuba diving to boost
their recovery from life-changing injuries
sustained on operations.
Twice-yearly courses see soldiers
submerged in the warm waters of Florida
Keys in the US as part on an intensive week-
long trip run by The Deptherapy Foundation.
Scientists have not been able to explain
why the novel treatment works but have
acknowledged that wounded personnel
benefit from the underwater experience.
As well as noting significant
improvements to muscle movement and
sensitivity, researchers from Johns Hopkins
University in Baltimore, America, observed
easing of symptoms in people suffering
from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Pte Kevin Pryke (R Anglian) was among
the UK participants on a recent trip.
The 25-year-old infantryman seriously
damaged his knee while carrying a casualty
more than 200 metres to safety in the
middle of a fierce firefight in Afghanistan.
He has struggled physically and
emotionally since the incident.
Deptherapy has changed my life, he
said. Before I attended the programme
I was seriously depressed and couldnt
confront my problems.
I dont understand
what happened there.
Whether it was feeling
free in the ocean or
being outside the
military environment
with a close and
supportive team I
dont know, but it
definitely worked.
I came home feeling positive and am now
committed to qualifying as a professional
diving instructor so I can help others benefit
from the programme as I did.
As is typical with other military-focused
rehabilitation schemes, camaraderie
between fellow soldiers provides an added
boost during the charitys sessions.
Pte Owen Pick (R Anglian) was one of the
youngest troops in Helmand when he was
injured by an IED blast.
The 20-year-olds right leg was severely
damaged below the knee and was eventually
amputated earlier this year.
Just ahead of his operation, the
Serviceman took part in a
diving trip and benefited
from meeting an American
marine who had lost his
lower leg.
Diving with and
being up close to sharks
and other fish was just
unbelievable, but you also
get so much support from
the guys after you come
home; they are your friends, he explained.
They visited me in the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital the day after my operation and in
Headley Court.
I came back feeling a different person
and ready to face my amputation.
G For more information about the courses
visit www.deptherapy.co.uk
Before i
attended the
programme i
was seriously
depressed
Life-changing dive:
Fus Daniel Smith
(RRF) descends a line
to the wreck of the City
of Washington during
a week-long trip
with The Deptherapy
Foundation to Florida
Keys in America
Picture: The Deptherapy Foundation
Sunshine
state
soother
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underwater action brings bulk benefits
N a year that has seen our countrys
economy teeter on the edge of disaster,
British companies could have been
forgiven for adopting the business strategy
of Scrooge and refusing all charitable donation
requests that come their way.
But as Soldiers Advent calendar-style
Christmas competition commences for the third
year running, we have once again been humbled
by the willingness of organisations to support
our gift-gathering efforts.
So far the team has collected about 6,000-
worth of prizes for our readers from a 250
shopping spree at Debenhams to a host of
terrific holidays, experiences and vouchers.
Toys, toiletries, tasty treats and time-saving
tools will also be up for grabs.
To stand a chance of winning items from
this mesmerising medley, just click the like
button on our Facebook page (www.tinyurl.com/
reindeershoof) and look out for updates
about the competition throughout December.
Different prizes will be offered each day of
the month via the social networking site up until
Christmas Eve.
Entry is open to any Soldier fans subject to
restrictions on certain prizes and items will be
sent out during the festive month and early into
the New Year.
Editor-in-Chief Andrew Simms said: This
year has clearly been a difficult one for many
British Army families, so our team decided it
was more important than ever to rally round
and help put a Christmas smile on the faces of
Servicemen and women.
Redundancies, restructuring and continuing
operational pressures have dominated the
thoughts of troops over the last 12 months, so it
is fantastic that businesses are digging deep to
help us bring some festive cheer as the holiday
season approaches.
We are still on the lookout for more
donations, so I urge everyone to spread the
word and get in touch if you can provide us with
further gifts.
The more we get, the more we can give away
to our readers.
To offer a prize, email sgoldthorpe@
soldiermagazine.co.uk or call the team on
01252 347356.
ORead next months issue for further
updates on how to take part.

www.tinyurl.com/reindeershoof
Good tidings return as Soldier unwraps
our mammoth Christmas giveaway
O Those who have already pledged support:
Adrenalin Quarry www.adrenalinquarry.co.uk
BCB International www.bcbin.com
Bendicks www.bendicks.co.uk
Birdworld www.birdworld.co.uk
Black & Decker www.blackanddecker.co.uk
Brittany Ferries www.brittanyferries.com
Butlins www.butlins.com
Crealy Great Adventure Parks
www.crealy.co.uk
Debenhams www.debenhams.com
Delimann www.delimann.co.uk
Duerrs www.duerrs.co.uk
Halfords www.halfords.com
Little, Brown Book Group
www.littlebrown.co.uk
Montezumas www.montezumas.co.uk
Nathan Outlaw www.nathan-outlaw.com
National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Newquay Activity Centre
www.newquayactivitycentre.co.uk
Peak Ales www.peakales.co.uk
Pieminister www.pieminister.co.uk
Rick Stein www.rickstein.com
St Enodoc Hotel www.enodoc-hotel.co.uk
The Bluebeards Revenge
www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk
The Fabulous Bakin Boys
www.bakinboys.co.uk
The History Press www.thehistorypress.co.uk
Tunnocks www.tunnock.co.uk
UK Gear www.ukgear.com
Virgin www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk
Walsall FC www.saddlers.co.uk
Yorkshire Tea www.yorkshiretea.co.uk
YOUR letters provide an insight into the issues at the top of soldiers agendas . . . but please be brief. Emails
(mail@soldiermagazine.co.uk) must include your name and location (although we wont publish them if you
ask us not to). We reserve the right to accept or reject letters, and to edit for length, clarity or style. Before
you write to us with a problem, you should rst have tried to get an answer via your own chain of command.
Dismay over Defenders departure
I
AM writing in the hope my misfortune
can alert others in the three Services who
may fall foul of a 36,500 bill if posted to
London from January 2012.
I refer to Ken Livingstones Low Emission
Zone (LEZ) or stealth tax as it should be
referred a scheme which Boris Johnson
has continued to pursue.
I have lived in Substitute Single Service
Accommodation in London for 12 months
and work in an area that, by just a few
hundred metres, falls inside the LEZ.
To date, I have also been residing inside
the low-emission area without issue but
must move as the owner has decided to sell
their property.
Not a problem in itself, except that I have
learnt that changes to LEZ rules will mean
that from January my Land Rover Defender,
a common squaddie vehicle, will be liable
for a daily charge of 100 if driven inside
the zone. This equates to a total of 36,500
per annum and is certainly not affordable on
an other ranks salary.
In an effort to avoid this expenditure, I
submitted the required paperwork to move
and requested to be accommodated outside
the LEZ. Not only would this mean I would
not be liable for the charge but also rentals
are 200-300 cheaper per month than
properties closer to the capital.
However, with two bed spaces available
inside the zone my units hands were tied
and my request was turned down.
Faced with the prospect of having to sell
my vehicle at a loss, I pursued this issue
with the appropriate authorities but met the
same brick wall.
As a result I have had to accept a
property within the LEZ and my freedom of
choice with regards to which vehicle I drive
has been taken from me.
I realise that I could not have used my
own car to commute but I would have when
visiting friends and family countrywide,
doing the monthly shop or generally getting
out and about.
The vehicles sale will mean I am no
longer able to pursue my hobbies of green
laning, rough shooting and attending Land
Rover rallies.
I am sure I will not be the only one
affected by the change in rules with
minibuses, camper vans, pick-ups and
double cabs among the vehicles targeted.
More details for those who may be
concerned can be found at http://t.gov.uk
It has always been my belief rightly
or wrongly that when posted abroad an
element of Local Overseas Allowance was to
cover the costs of purchasing a new vehicle.
If so, why cant this element be available for
personnel posted inside the LEZ?
I hope the policy makers look into this
issue as I fear this will simply become
another small erosion of serving soldiers
personal freedom.
Perhaps I should look towards a new
career as a Member of Parliament, at least
then I could ignore the system and buy a
nice property funded by the taxpayer.
I do hope the usual blanket reply does not
come back that civilian counterparts are in
the same boat.
After all, if I was a civvy I would choose
to live outside the LEZ at a much cheaper
cost and without having to sell my vehicle
due to an impossibly high charge.
As an interesting side note, the zone has
been introduced to cut emissions and yet
my Land Rover Defender runs on waste
vegetable oil a renewable fuel source
which is carbon neutral.
As a consequence of the rule changes
I will have to buy a car that runs on fossil
fuel. Congratulations Boris Johnson for this
small but unfortunate eco own goal. WO2
Steve Brickstock.
This months ruminations from the ranks...
Slice of Service life
He was the life and soul of the mess until the
mayor forced him to sell his Land Rover.
I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO
PURSUE MY HOBBIES OF GREEN
LANING, ROUGH SHOOTING AND
ATTENDING RALLIES
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Talkback
tittle tattle
Allowance
angst
Dress
debate
Medal
moans
O
VER the past months we have heard
constant talk about cutbacks both in
manpower and expenditure within the
Armed Forces.
However, is the Army really trying to
make nancial savings? Whoever is holding
the purse strings has failed to consider the
spend on travel warrants.
Having spoken to a number of Service
personnel based in Northern Ireland now
classed as a home posting it seems that
the MoD has endless pockets of cash to
give away. I refer to the travel allowances
afforded to troops serving there.
On average a single soldier can claim
up to 12 warrants a year to get back to the
mainland at an annual cost of approximately
4,800-6,000. If you consider that there
are in the region of 2,000 unmarried troops
in Northern Ireland, this gure swells to
somewhere around the 10 million mark
and doesnt take into account married
personnel and their families.
I was under the impression this was a
home not a holiday posting.
To save costs, why doesnt the MoD
post those domiciled in Northern Ireland
to Northern Ireland? I am sure these
individuals would jump at the opportunity.
Ray Spence, ex-Army (1972-92).
Curtail travel costs, save millions
A dozen times in a year or not... Ive already
told you, we dont do frequent flyer discounts,
air miles or upgrades. Have a nice flight.
RESTRICTED ACCESS
Q FOR the last four years Armed Forces
veterans of all ranks, including former
commissioned ofcers, have been denied
open access to the MoD to discuss the issue
of medallic recognition.
Many of those signed the Ofcial Secrets
Act during their careers.
Obviously you need to be a civilian friend
of a minister and hold no security clearance
whatsoever to be granted an audience or
even entrance to Main Building. What a
disgrace! Charles Lovelace, Liphook.
STOP THE MEDAL MOANING
Q AS far as I can see, the eligibility criteria
for the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal
couldnt be clearer.
On February 6, 2012, the Queen will be
going to work as she has done for the past
60 years.
If you are not working for her on that date
and havent done so for the past ve years,
you wont get a medal. Simple. SSgt Mark
Smith, 55 MI Coy (V).
BLUE OVER BISCUITS BROWN
QAFTER ruminating for a few days about
the latest ration packs, I have come to the
conclusion that they are ageist.
On initial inspection I thought wow,
the Forces have come a long way since the
ten-man boxes and bully beef, but I soon
realised that these modern meals are aimed
solely at 18- to 25-year-old soldiers.
You know the troops I mean, those who
have 50 haircuts, wear man make-up and
still look scruffy in their 500 clothes.
Yes, I am old (wise and mature) and yes, I
am nearing the end of my service.
However, I for one dont want squirrels
nibbling at my backside when on a shovel
recce because they like tropical fruit mix
more than it likes me.
And as for the mango, banana and apple
fruit puree, I am 45 not six months old.
There was a lot to be said for the not
for civvies sticky not only did it provide
a great energy boost but it gave me reason
to crack the tiniest of grins and delivered a
spark of morale at 0300 in the wet and cold.
That said, of course I understand why so
much work has been put into making our
scoff the best in the world and recognise
the extremely healthy, balanced
menu the packs now provide.
This isnt really a
gripe, just an old
git thinking
of biscuits
brown with
chicken pate
(biscuits y if you were
posh), bacon grill and
corned beef. Now that
was real food. SSgt
Matt Baker, HQ
160(W) Bde,
Brecon.
A RECENT defence information notice
relating to the HM Forces railcard states
those under 16 are not eligible for the
scheme owing to the substantial reductions
already afforded to children.
However, if the military ticket could
be used by a child they would receive a
discount that far exceeds the usual tariff.
Issuing Service children with a Forces
railcard would be of particular benet to
the parents of under 16s who require their
dependants to travel alone for visits.
Name and address supplied.

WO1 Dave Carlin, DCDS (Pers) pay and
manning, responds: The HM Forces
railcard is a valuable concession afforded
to certain members of the Services and
their immediate dependants at a reduced
price in comparison with other national
commercial schemes.
The initiative is sponsored by the
Association of Train Operating Companies
(ATOC) on behalf of the individual Train
Operating Companies (TOCs) and is a
concession not an entitlement.
As the scheme is run under a contract
between the MoD and ATOC, the former
does not have the ability to alter any
element of the eligibility criteria without
the consent of the individual TOCs.
In answer to your question regarding
railcards for dependant children under the
age of 16, the agreement excludes this
group. This exclusion is in line with all
other national railcards offered by ATOC
on behalf of the TOCs.
Children of this age will therefore
continue to receive concessionary journeys
when accompanying their parents and will
of course be able to purchase child fares
when travelling unaccompanied.
Rallying call for railcard hits buffers
FOR several years I have watched chains of
command use the Military Secretarys binding
principle to disappoint soldiers and their
families, to justify short-notice postings and
tours or deny courses and opportunities.
At countless roadshows and presentations I
have seen slides titled MSs binding principle
with the needs of the Army must come rst
quoted in bold italics below. It seems that our
career managers consider this line as justication
to discount the needs of an individual.
However, the principle in full states: The
needs of the Army must come rst; those
of ofcers, soldiers and their families must
come a close second. But to be worthy of its
pre-eminence the Army must be seen to give
due consideration to the best interests and
preferences of each individual ofcer and
soldier. Read in its entirety, this standpoint
is clearly not intended to be an excuse for
personnel desks to take short cuts. Indeed, it is
a cautionary note to the chain of command and
career managers to give due consideration to
the individual.
I am told that management issues are
the biggest factor behind ongoing Service
complaints. A reiteration of the binding
principle and steps to prevent others rewriting
it to suit their own needs would solve many of
these problems. WO2 Daniel Clayton.
Prevent misrepresentation of principle
Unease over uniform
I
VE just read the letter Flummoxed by
Forces fashion faux pax in Octobers issue
and agree with Capt Rogers the new
uniform looks shabby.
In reply, Lt Col Matthew Tresidder [leader
of the Defence Clothing Team] rightly stated
the attire was a form of combat dress, so lets
stop wearing it in camp and keep it purely for
combat situations.
With defence cuts in mind, I have no doubt
there will be a shortage of this uniform in
the near future if we continue to wear it in a
non-kinetic environment. Keith Lewis, via
Facebook, facebook.com/soldiermagazine
QI HAVE to agree with Capt Rogers view
on the new Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP)
uniform, on rst sight I was unimpressed
and could not help but think it looked like
something from Toys R Us.
Lt Col Matthew Tressiders comment in
response, our soldiers deserve a combat
uniform t for purpose and we should not
worry how smart or scruffy it looks, was
totally outrageous.
Value for money should not exclude
quality of material and design, resulting
in a uniform as shapeless and uninspiring
as Action Mans. I always thought part of
military discipline and the pride soldiers
take in themselves was
down to appearance.
The Army is sometimes
known as the Green
Machine, so it will be
interesting to hear what
nicknames emerge in
the wake of issue of MTP
clothing. Chrissy Rodgers,
38 (Irish) Brigade, Thiepval Barracks.
QIN response to the Talkback letter about the
new Personal Clothing System (PCS), I am of
the opinion it looks shabby and that Velcro is
just a cheap irritation.
I wholly agree with the aim of making it
comfortable, so remove the Velcro and rely
on the zips and put a loose waist in the jacket
be it elastic, string, button or soft belt as
other nations do.
The lower part of this garment would then
are slightly making any male or female
tummy or behind look ne.
Why? Because soldiers of all ranks are keen
to look professional and smart. Sadly, looks
are important. Maj Bernard WD Whishaw,
2iC RE Warfare Wing, Gibraltar Barracks.
QI FIND the reasoning behind the uniforms
shirt/jacket bewildering.
It is ridiculous looking when it is left
hanging out and should be tucked in while in
camp we are not American.
The item could then be worn as intended
in the eld, although I would argue that
some soldiers would still prefer to tuck it in
to prevent it riding up their back and causing
webbing burns.
The uniform appears to be a case of
senior ofcers getting involved in senior
non-commissioned ofcers business.
The standards and dress of the Army
are maintained in the warrant ofcers and
sergeants mess. Surely theirs is the voice
that should be listened to.
As for all those who cry on about the
need for elastic on a helmet, the only real
scenario in which camouaging headgear
could be argued to be technically sound is
in main defensive positions and possibly
during advance to contacts.
Personally, I cant see the point
camming up helmets interferes with head-
mounted equipment.
That said, if soldiers wish to wear
scrim then leave them to it.
Whether we like it or not, if
personnel believe they look and
feel the part then they will perform
better than if they think they look
like pillocks. CSgt, Infantry Battle
School, Wales.
QI READ Lt Col Matthew Tresidders
comments on the PCS with interest. Having
worn the new-look uniform for a while now,
its clearly a comprehensive triumph for
function over form.
Notwithstanding that it appears to have
been issued ahead
of proper direction
from regimental dress
committees, the jacket
does not t well, the arm
pockets are odd and of
little use, and there is no
avoiding the fact that it
does not look smart (my
wife has conrmed this).
The item is also too hot and we shall all
suffer next August unless the powers that be
ofcially sanction the wearing of the much
preferred Combat Soldier 95 shirt in MTP,
tucked in and with the sleeves rolled up, as
summer order.
The PCS trousers are ne but a draw cord
would have been nice, allowing them to be
worn without a belt when under a long jacket.
Sadly, black footwear and blue berets ruin
the effect of the MTP and I fail to see why the
issue of the uniform was not delayed until the
full complement of clothing was ready and
available, including the brown boots (another
scary thought).
As for the new form of barrack dress, it
is cheap and nasty and I have not yet met
a single fellow ofcer who thinks that it
represents an improvement.
Finally, we live in a culture of constant
turmoil in the British Army and to suggest
that personnel are resistant to change is
most unfair.
In general, the recent improvements to
clothing and kit have been outstanding but
in the PCS jacket, and in respect of Future
Army Dress, we have missed the opportunity
to properly modernise and rebrand the
Service. Name and address supplied.
ON FIRST SIGHT I WAS
UNIMPRESSED AND COULD
NOT HELP BUT THINK IT
LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING
FROM TOYS R US
MY husband and I recently decided to buy
a new car from a Ford dealer in Colchester
and put down a deposit of 1,250.
Having signed the necessary paperwork,
we left the garage looking forward to the
prospect of picking up our vehicle a
week later.
However, the following day
we received a phone call from
the dealers manager who said
that Ford Credit [an afliated
nance company] wanted an
additional 1,250 deposit as a
consequence of our association
with the Armed Forces.
Why is this company
discriminating against Service
personnel who, unlike some on
civvy street, have a job and are paid
monthly? Name and address supplied.
Christopher Makin, director of
communications at Ford Credit,
writes: Due to the need for customer
condentiality I cannot comment on an
individual case, but let me emphasise
straight away that we treat all customers
fairly and outline some relevant
information for Soldier readers.
Like any other lender, Ford Credit asks
each customer a number of questions
from which we assess their ability to
repay a loan.
Our processes are designed to establish
how we can accept applications for
nance by adjusting items such as
term and deposits, rather than
declining them.
We apply these same
principles to all our
customers, not just military
personnel. Ford Credit treats
members of the Armed
Forces fairly and consistently,
and has no overall policy
of automatically requiring
Servicemen and women to pay
a higher deposit.
In addition, the company has
been actively working with its trade
association to ensure credit is
accessible to those in the military.
The rm is also, to the best of
our knowledge, one of only three
commercial organisations in the
country that provides export nancing for
UK Armed Forces personnel to allow them
to take their vehicle abroad.
This is a valuable offer for troops based
in mainland Europe.
Dismayed by doubling of down payment
IRRITATED BY INTERNET
QI WRITE in support of the letter by Capt
Matthew Gaffney, Drag us out of the digital
dark ages, please (October).
For too long soldiers have been the poor
cousins in terms of infrastructure and local
services; access to the internet is just the latest
example of the problems that we face.
I particularly liked, though, the wonderful
irony of the Hewlett-Packard advert on the
previous page, which boasted the tag line
Because instant information is not a privilege.
Its a requirement.
What a perfect juxtaposition between your
advertising and your readers concerns!
SSgt Wooltt, senior instructor of counter
intelligence and security.
VIVE LA FRANCE
QI WOULD like to refer to Cpl Kirkwoods
letter, Uneasy over union, in Augusts issue
of Soldier. This individual should check his
facts a little more carefully before attacking
our allies.
The French government did sell the Exocet
missile to Argentina, just as other countries
market their weapons.
However, Cpl Kirkwood should know that
the French, in support of the British, secretly
agreed to hold back further deliveries and
critical components when hostilities broke
out in the Falklands.
France was legally obliged to full its
contract with Argentina but did not.
Instead, the country gave us the codes to
the homing radar. If they had not done so,
more of our ships would have been sunk and
lives lost.
The successful recapturing of the
Falkland Islands would have been put
severely at risk if more munitions had
been delivered. The Argentinean armada
expended all of their serviceable Exocet
missiles sinking the Atlantic Conveyor, HMS
Shefeld and HMS Glamorgan.
I doubt Cpl Kirkwood was even born when
the Falklands War took place. Following a
long period of decline, Britain regained its
pride after the conict.
Vive la France and long may the spirit of
detente continue.
We learn from history and we dont insult
our friends. SSgt Will Bennett, 40th
Regiment Royal Artillery.
I
AM writing to correct some of the details
contained in an article featured in your
September edition.
While I understand Soldiers desire to
reect the contribution of the British Army
to Operations Ellamy and Unied Protector,
I cannot allow some of the quotes attributed
to one of those interviewed, SSgt Ryan
Christey (RE), to go unchallenged.
The urgent requirement for the protective
shelters for the Tornados was not
exclusively an Army product.
The project to recce, plan and construct
the 11 items of technical working
environment (rapidly-deployable aircraft
hangars) was carried out by 5001
Squadron, Royal Air Force.
Fourteen personnel deployed for a period
of 30 days in order to carry out this task and,
while assistance from the Royal Engineer
contingent was vital to the success of this
project, the implication that the sappers
alone carried out this work is misleading.
It is also worth noting that the staff
sergeants statement that we build
bespoke shelters for Nato aircraft all over
the world we work from a template and
can put things up anywhere we are required
to is incorrect.
5001 Squadron is the only unit in defence
that possesses this capability.
We would not be able to carry out
our job without the vital support of our
Army colleagues but to portray them as
exclusively responsible for this task is to
signicantly undermine the Herculean effort
of a small group of RAF technicians. Flt Lt
Owen Reed-Beadle, acting OC, 5001 Sqn.
Sappers not sole suppliers
Aerial asset: A Tornado is prepared for a sortie on Op Ellamy, the UN sanctioned no-fly zone over Libya
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Falklands flashback: A British
soldier surveys the South Atlantic
landscape during the 1982 conflict
Picture: Paul Haley/Soldier archive
Dont put old and bold out in the cold
I
WONDER whether any of your other
old and bold readers have experienced
a change in attitude to ex-Service
personnel since Veterans Day became
Armed Forces Day.
Previously I got invited to the Lord
Mayors parlour or St Georges Hall in
Liverpool after a church service, but things
are slightly different now. This year, at the
invitation of my local branch of The Royal
British Legion, I attended a ceremony at the
citys Anglican Cathedral.
After the service I, like others, looked for
the allocated position to form up ready
to march past the saluting base, then on
through the streets to the dispersal point at
the Roman Catholic Cathedral no mean
feat for those aged 70 and 80 plus.
It was disappointing to say the least to be
informed that veterans were required to fall
in at the rear of the column, following up
the cadet units.
No disrespect to any other troops on
parade that day, but clearly this is a very
shabby way to treat those who have served
in the past.
A comment was passed that it was
thought the old and bold had slowed the
march down on previous occasions, this
being the reason we were relegated to the
rear. Such a turn of events is a far cry from
military bands striking up with The Boys of
the Old Brigade in the presence of veterans
as they do elsewhere.
It is unlikely that I will attend any future
parades. A Kelly, ex-RA. Pride in their past: Service veterans march through Edinburgh during this years Armed Forces Day
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I HAVE been a member of the Royal Army
Physical Training Corps for more than 15 years
and am nearing the last six months of my career.
During this time I have had to struggle with
motivating personnel to keep t using poor
equipment and sub-standard gyms.
If we are to inuence soldiers to adopt a better
lifestyle and promote tness as a positive habit,
surely there should be some consistency in the
quality of kit and facilities.
In order to combat this, why not deduct 10 per
month from every soldiers pay packet to nance
gym membership?
Im sure this suggestion will be greeted by
uproar but most individuals would concede that
they waste more than that sum.
If an individual had to personally contribute to
the upkeep of a gym they would be more likely to
want to use it and as a consequence be tter.
Some will argue that it is the responsibility of
the Armed Forces to provide quality facilities but
in this current climate I see no quick x.
The money collected would ensure that all
troops have access to a consistent standard of
equipment. Major units could accrue more than
4,000 per month and smaller organisations
upwards of 500 to assist in the purchase or
building of excellent gyms.
I understand that this initiative will not be
universally popular and that others may argue
personnel should contribute more or less
depending on their rank and family status but this
would complicate matters. A broad low payment
might just prevent some soldiers from buying
cigarettes or alcohol.
Just an idea. Name and address supplied.
Soldiers should subsidise gym gear
Its not all bad news. We do offer special rates
and an easy payment plan for the overweight.
LAMENT AT LACK OF HEART
Q I AM writing to raise a topic that I am
sure has been discussed many times.
In 2009 I was caught in an explosion on
Op Herrick 10 and lost a leg.
Still a serving soldier, I have recently
completed a cycle ride which saw 15 British
and 15 US veterans come together to raise
money for military charities.
During this event, the American personnel
expressed their disbelief that the UK did not
have some form of recognition for those
injured in the presence of the enemy while
on a combat mission.
Across the Atlantic, those wounded at war
have been decorated with the Purple Heart
for more than 200 years.
I was honoured when one of the US
soldiers gave me his Purple Heart tie at the
end of the ride.
In the words of that veteran, doing ones
duty for your country is an honour but being
injured for your nation is one of the biggest
sacrices you can make. Cpl Paul Findlay.
Service Wounded Stripes were awarded to
British troops injured during the Great War
Spine line: Maj M Evans, 2 RRF, BFPO 23.
Never Back Down winner: K Colquhoun,
Glasgow.
Outside The Law winners: Mr M Kaleem, Bury,
Lancashire; Mr T Lathwell, Hayes, Middlesex;
K McMurtie, 244 MI Section, Edinburgh; G
Braney, Bristol; S Bowe, Jarrow.
The Veteran winners: C Owen, Saltash,
Cornwall; R Denyer, Reading, Berkshire; L
Denial, Stapleford, Nottingham; K Harris,
Worksop, Nottinghamshire; A Benham,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Attack The Block winners:
S Harrington, Bridgnorth,
Shropshire; S Hebditch,
Leeds; J Hoyland, Burry Port,
Carmarthenshire; L OConnor,
Mitcham, Surrey; J Steele,
Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent.
Navy Seals winners: A Seehra,
Birmingham; D Sweet, Bridport;
A Billot, Newport, Gwent; Cfn
Widdowson, 10 Trg Bn REME,
Bordon, Hants; Capt E Mathieson, 1
Yorks, BFPO 17.
The Bomber winners: L Bosomworth,
Hebburn, Tyne and Wear; J Henderson,
Helens Bay, County Down; M Wynne
Eames, Caernarfon, Gwynedd; R Horrocks,
Bromham, Bedfordshire; J Atkins, Coalville,
Leicestershire.
DIRECTORY
The following Army Briefing Notes, Defence
Internal Briefs and Defence Information
Notices can be found online at
www.armynet.mod.uk
ABN 57/11: Access to resettlement
advice during redundancy
ABN 58/11: MoD Your Say survey
ABN 59/11: Territorial Army
establishment grant
ABN 60/11: Op Entirety re-roling
of one armoured infantry battalion
within 20th Armoured Brigade
ABN 61/11: Conclusion of the
Continuity of Education Allowance
ministerial review
DIB 80/11: First Commander Joint
Forces Command appointed
DIB 81/11: Public support for deployed
personnel and sending gifts at Christmas
DIB 82/11: MoD Your Say survey
DIB 83/11: New approach from the new
Defence Board
DIB 84/11: Civil Service pension reform leaflet
for employees
DIB 85/11: Cabinet Secretary and head of the
Civil Service announces his retirement
DIB 86/11: Review of Continuity of Education
Allowance
DIB 87/11: Outcome of a feasibility study into
the establishment of a Defence and National
Rehabilitation Centre
DIN 2011DIN10-038: Royal Navy Theatre
Festival 2012
DIN 2011DIN10-037: Army Squash Rackets
Association-sponsored championships
DIN 2011DIN10-036: Army Telemark Ski
Association championships
DIN 2011DIN09-010: HMS Vigilant
rededication
DIN 2011DIN09-009: Admission to the official
residences of the Queen for serving military
personnel
DIN 2011DIN09-008: Accumulated Campaign
Service Medal 2011
DIN 2011DIN09-007: The Sun Military Awards
DIN 2011DIN08-014: Waiver of Import Duty
internal transfer of items
DIN 2011DIN07-158: ISR foundation course
DIN 2011DIN07-157: Joint Services
adventurous training mountain biking
DIN 2011DIN07-156: Launch of the new joint
Services adventurous training ski scheme
DIN 2011DIN07-155: Joint fires staff
awareness course
DIN 2011DIN07-154: Tri-Service chemical
biological radiological and nuclear defence
training
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency:
0800 169 2277 (from the UK); 0044 1253
866043 (from overseas)
The Not Forgotten Association: 020 7730 2400;
www.nfassociation.org
bullet
POINTS
COMPS
November 9: Fashion show and dinner at the
Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, in aid of this
years Scottish Poppy Appeal. Tickets priced
30, including a glass of fizz. Call 0131 556
4270 for more information or to book.
November 10: The 2011 Devon Festival of
Remembrance takes place in The Great Hall
of the University of Exeter, starting at 1900.
Tickets priced 8 and are available from the
Devon county office of The Royal British
Legion on 01392 272211.
December 1: Christmas author talk: Monty
and Rommel parallel lives? by Peter
Caddick-Adams. Begins 1730 at the Prince
Consorts Library, Knollys Road, Aldershot.
To attend call 01252 349382 or email
pcllibrs@alibs.detsa.co.uk
December 2: Army Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender (LGBT) Conference takes
place at St Hughs College, Oxford, from 1100.
Open to all LGBT members of the Service
and their partners, as well as anyone with an
interest in equality and diversity matters. For
more information visit www.proud2serve.
net or email armylgbt@gmail.com. To book
contact Capt Emma Hunter on 01264 381919
or email emma.hunter796@mod.uk
December 10-11: The Birmingham
International Christmas Tattoo. Military
bands, displays and a spectacular grand
finale at the National Indoor Arena,
Birmingham. To book contact the box office
on 0844 338 8000 or for more information
visit www.birminghamtattoo.co.uk
DIARY
Armed Forces Christian Union:
01252 311221; www.afcu.org.uk
Armed Forces Humanist Association:
www.armedforceshumanists.org.uk
ABF The Soldiers Charity: 0845 241 4820
Army Welfare Service: 01980 615975;
www.army.mod.uk/welfare-support/welfare-
support.aspx
Army Families Federation: 01264 382324;
mil 94391 2324; www.aff.org.uk
British Limbless Ex-Service Mens Association:
0208 590 1124; www.blesma.org
Career Transition Partnership: 0207 766 8020
Childrens Education Advisory Service:
01980 618244; enquiries@ceas.detsa.co.uk
Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society:
01372 841600; www.combatstress.com
Family Escort Service: 0207 463 9249
Forcesline: UK 0800 731 4880; Germany
0800 1827 395; Cyprus 080 91065; Falklands
#6111; from operational theatres Paradigm
Services *201; from anywhere in the world (CSL
operator will call back) 0044 1980 630854.
Forces Pension Society: 0207 820 9988
Joint Service Housing Advice Office:
01722 436575
Medal Office: 94561 3600 or 0141 224 3600
Mutual Support (Multiple Sclerosis group):
www.mutualsupport.org.uk
National Gulf Veterans and Families
Association Office: 24-hour helpline 0845 257
4853; www.ngvfa.org.uk
Regular Forces Employment Association:
0121 236 0058; www.rfea.org.uk
Royal British Legion: 0845 7725 725
RBL Industries Vocational Assessment Centre:
01622 795900; www.rbli.co.uk
St Dunstans: 0207 723 5021;
www.st-dunstans.org.uk
INTELLIGENCE
TEN details have been changed on this
photograph of Banshee target drones
during a live-ring exercise at the Air
Defence Range, Manorbier, near Tenby.
Circle the differences in the left image
and send the panel to HOAY 840, Soldier,
Ordnance Road, Aldershot, Hampshire
GU11 2DU by November 30.
A photocopy is acceptable but only one
entry per person may be submitted. First
correct entry drawn after the closing date
will win 100; the second and third will
receive 25 gift vouchers.
The results will be announced in the
December issue.
Septembers competition: First correct
entry drawn at random and winner of the
100 was Bdr Spiers, Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Runners-up: Bdr R Krasnowski, Army
Foundation College, Harrogate and Mrs J
Avis, 100 Regiment RA (V), Luton.
JUST HOW OBSERVANT ARE YOU? N
O
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8
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DIN 2011DIN07-153: Information systems
courses at the communications and
information systems training unit
DIN 2011DIN07-152: All arms pre-parachute
selection course dates
DIN 2011DIN07-151: Psychological operations
courses
DIN 2011DIN07-150: Army European winter
activity
DIN 2011DIN07-149: Joining instructions for
personnel attending Maritime Warfare School
courses at Phoenix Training Group
DIN 2011DIN07-148: Open University Naval
Service Prize competition
DIN 2011DIN07-147: Volunteers for 4/73
(Sphinx) Special Op Battery, Royal Artillery
DIN 2011DIN07-146: Conversion training to
SNCO for fighter controllers
DIN 2011DIN07-145: Mountaineering in India
Exercise Indian Tiger
DIN 2011DIN06-030: JSP 309 edition one
fuels and gases, environment and safety
management
DIN 2011DIN06-029: Assurance of medical
standards for aircrew not registered with
military medical centres for primary care
DIN 2011DIN06-028: The procedure for
reporting accidents affecting any Army
personnel property or estate
DIN 2011DIN06-027: Radiation worker
counselling
DIN 2011DIN05-042: Establishment of
scanning policy function and notification of
future provision of services
DIN 2011DIN05-041: Military medical
research and audit
DIN 2011DIN05-040: MoD policy on fraud,
theft, corruption, bribery and irregularity
DIN 2011DIN04-153: Return of stores from RAF
units to JSCS Donnington
DIN 2011DIN04-152: Obsolete/obsolescent
DS&TE PT-controlled test and measurement
equipment
DIN 2011DIN04-151: Equipment tables, scales
and schedules
DIN 2011DIN04-150: Relocation of the York
housing information centre
DIN 2011DIN04-149: Project Better Equipment
Through Ashchurch business process
DIN 2011DIN04-148: Obsolete DS&TE
PT-controlled test & measurement equipment
DIN 2011DIN04-147: Cessation of BFPO 446
(RFA Largs Bay)
DIN 2011DIN04-146: Drawdown of Bowman
audit teams
DIN 2011DIN04-145: Ice patrol ship (interim
replacement) introduction into service
DIN 2011DIN04-144: Declaration of obsolescence
respiratory protective equipment spares
DIN 2011DIN04-143: Declaration of obsolete
rocket with signal set (yachts)
DIN 2011DIN04-142: Termination of use
Lincad UPS as used in the command post of the
advanced sound-ranging programme
DIN 2011DIN04-141: Project Phoenix
registering of authorised demanding officers
DIN 2011DIN04-140: Support solutions envelope
DIN 2011DIN04-139: Introduction of carrier-
enabled power projection
DIN 2011DIN04-138: Declaration of
obsolescence counter battery radar
DIN 2011DIN04-137: JSP 456 Defence
catering manual
DIN 2011DIN04-136: DE&S CA disposal of air
spares and non-explosives armament stores
DIN 2011DIN03-035: Forward air controllers
duties, responsibilities, training and standards
DIN 2011DIN03-033: Document retention and
preservation Al-Sweady public inquiry
DIN 2011DIN03-032: Procedures for defence
visitors to Australia
DIN 2011DIN03-031: The handling of flying
complaints from members of the UK public
DIN 2011DIN03-030: Procedures for visits
to the USA under the auspices of the Polaris
sales agreement
DIN 2011DIN02-014: Calls to the DSN gateway
DIN 2011DIN02-013: Procedures for defence
visitors to Canada
DIN 2011DIN02-012: Changes to the STRAP/
TK approval process within the MoD
DIN 2011DIN02-011: Contract security
DIN 2011DIN02-010: Suspension of individual
Enterprise Gateway Service (EGS) access
DIN 2011DIN02-009: EGS incident reporting
and management
DIN 2011DIN02-008: Correct use of the user
sanction release mechanism for users of EGS
DIN 2011DIN02-007: Access control policy
veiled females
DIN 2011DIN02-006: The defence manual of
security (JSP 440) publication of issue 3.9.0
DIN 2011DIN02-005: Transmission of STRAP/
TK clearances for overseas visits
DIN 2011DIN02-004: Introduction of new
vetting system
DIN 2011DIN01-206: Senior officers course
120 Nato Defence College, Rome
DIN 2011DIN01-205: Temporary suspension
of processing applications for AVCs, early
retirement, allocation
and inverse benefits
W
I
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www.soldiermagazine.co.uk
WEB WATCH
www.facebook.com/soldiermagazine
CLOTHING AND KIT
www.globalmilitarysupplies.co.uk
We give ten per cent of our profit to The
Royal British Legion so get the best
military kit sent to your door by us.
Quote SM5 for a five per cent discount
on your order.
www.bespoketies.com
Regimental tie specialist. All ties. PRI
discounts. Designs new ties for units etc.
0845 2575710.
SERVICES AND BOOKS
www.forceshomes.co.uk
Finding homes for military personnel. We
organise your mortgage, search for your
ideal property, manage the complete
purchase, arrange the letting if required, and
we pay all your professional and legal fees.
www.militaryhistorybooks.com
Specialists in new and used military books.
Visit our website or for a printed catalogue
call 01303 246500.
SEARCHLINE
ROADSHOWS
19 Regiment, Royal Artillery: Regimental
reunion will be held in late 2011/early 2012.
If you served with the Highland Gunners
then write to Maj LeFeuvre at 19 Regt RA,
Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth SP7 7AS or
email welfare19@hotmail.co.uk
DIN 2011DIN01-204: New Armed Forces
compensation scheme provision for payment
of overseas medical expenses
DIN 2011DIN01-203: RN and RM officers
transfer, promotion and sea, air and command
selection boards amendment
DIN 2011DIN01-202: JPA user satisfaction
survey
DIN 2011DIN01-201: Refund of professional
body fees
DIN 2011DIN01-200: 2012 pilgrimage by
the Royal Navy contingent of HCPT The
Pilgrimage Trust
DIN 2011DIN01-199: Education for bereaved
Service children at The Duke of Yorks Royal
Military School
DIN 2011DIN01-198: Voluntary transfer
of Naval Service personnel selected for
compulsory redundancy in tranche one
DIN 2011DIN01-197: Army Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Conference
DIN 2011DIN01-196: The Agency Workers
Regulations 2010
DIN 2011DIN01-195: Introduction of Continuity
of Education Allowance governance team
DIN 2011DIN01-194: New government office
supplies contracts
DIN 2011DIN01-193: New average property
price list
57 (Bhurtpore) Battery, 32 Regiment, Royal
Artillery: Reunion dinner on January 21, 2012
at Larkhill. Medals parade will also be held on
the same day. Ex-members, serving or retired,
are welcome. Contact Steph Manning on 01980
845577 or email bty_57@live.co.uk asap in
order to gauge levels of interest.
RAMC Reunited 2012: Reunion will take place
at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry on February
3, 2012. Open to all former members, whether
National Service, Regular, TA or widow(er) of
a former member. Contact Mick McCran by
phoning 01522 879307 or emailing
michael.mccran@ntlworld.com
The 2012 Aliwal Dinner: All members of
16th/5th Lancers, 17th/21st Lancers, Queens
Royal Lancers and attached units are welcome.
Event takes place on February 4, 2012 at the
Telford Golf and Country Club. For more
details phone 07890 207391 or email
wjcfive@yahoo.co.uk
Joint Helicopter Support Unit: Old and new
faces are invited to celebrate the JHSUs 30th
anniversary at the Victory Services Club in
London on March 31, 2012. The event costs 40
and will run from 1730 to 2330. Visit www.jhsu.
webs.com for further details.
The Army Presentation Team wants to hear from
members of the public who would like a personal
invitation to its hi-tech roadshow. The event
starts with a drinks reception, is followed by a
presentation and questions and culminates with
refreshments. There will be a range of military
personnel on hand to answer any of your
questions. Call 01276 417000 or email your
name and address to apt.mod@btinternet.com
with the event you are interested in attending.
November: 1, Slough; 2, Winchester.
Haverfordwest, Cardiff, Wrexham, Merton,
Eneld and Hammersmith/Fulham (tbc).
December: No presentations. January: No
presentations.
PhD student Kim Webb is looking for British
Army personnel who are willing to share their
experiences of higher education in the UK.
Contact her at k.v.webb@durham.ac.uk
Ann Hamlet is gathering memoirs from
veterans who served in Italy between 1943
and 1945 for a book she is writing. Contact
her by phone on 01342 844082 or email
at info@italystar43-45.co.uk
Tom Pierce is looking for fellow former Royal
Engineer, LCpl Neil Sutcliffe, who he served
with in Plant Troop on the Pacic atoll of
Christmas Island from 1956-1957. Contact
Bob Aslett on 01395 264940 or by email at
branston@talktalk.net
Former Royal Engineer Sgt John Chamberlain
is looking for ex-sapper David Joseph
Chapple. They served together with 48 Field
Sqn, Royal Engineers in Ripon, Yorkshire
between 1963 and 1967 before Chapple left
the Army and went to work for GCHQ in
Cheltenham. Contact John on 01634 301281.
Mr A Bernard is trying to trace the family of
6979215 Robert Jackson (born 1917 in County
Antrim) who served with the Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers before transfering to the Royal Fusiliers
from 1940. Contact Mr Bernard by email at
findingroots@yahoo.co.uk
A researcher is looking for relatives of soldiers
who served in 7th Battalion, The Hampshire
Regiment between 1939 and 1946, while the
unit was billeted in Birchington, Deal and Bexhill
(Cooden), as well as anyone in the battalions
pre-war recruiting patch of Bournemouth.
Contact Ian Taylor on 02380 694771 or at
ian.p.b.taylor@btinternet.com
Annika Hofmann is trying to locate her
grandfather, soldier George Matthews, a
Londoner who met her grandmother Christa
Schwerm when he was stationed in Schleswig,
Germany from 1945-1947. Contact Annika by
email at Annika@kiga-english-kids.de or write
to Gerhardstr.41, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
REUNIONS
A
SIDE from being in overall charge of
the Army Families Federation (AFF),
the main aspect of my job as chief
executive is to be a voice. Plainly put, I talk
a lot.
I also listen: hearing about various
problems is an essential part of AFF work.
But the rest of my role revolves around
explaining Servicemen and womens
experiences to people who have the ability
to make a difference those writing policy,
in command and making decisions which
impact on our lives as Army families.
Although time has moved on somewhat
since the Strategic Defence and Security
Review was first published (the minister
who announced its findings has already
moved on), my discussions during the last
month have shown how the angst it caused
continues to linger.
A recent roadshow for Service families at
Catterick Garrison kicked off the limited AFF
tour of the UK.
From there we went up to Edinburgh,
where the thorny issue of rebasing
dominated much of the session, before
finishing in Aldershot.
Overwhelmingly, the thing worrying most
people in our audiences was not housing,
education or employment regular topics
of discussion that could easily occupy
the rest of this column but the year-old
defence review and the lasting uncertainty
its changes have brought about.
There did seem to be a suspicion amongst
us mere mortals that the big boys know
exactly what is going on but are simply
choosing not to tell us.
However, the roadshows demonstrated
the opposite; everyone is uncertain about
what the future looks like.
Some people know a bit more than others,
and some are preparing the groundwork
for when they know more, but no one
representing the Army at these events
attempted to hide anything.
We had some very candid answers to
some very pointed questions and
for that I was grateful.
It is easy to forget that those in
charge are living this life too and
are frequently as frustrated as the
rest of us.
Not long ago I spent a
productive morning with the
Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
Some may raise their eyebrows
on hearing that this team is still
in business because, with the pay
freeze still firmly in place, a large part of
their work has been taken away.
But they dont only decide salary rises,
they also make recommendations on a
number of allowances and charges.
If you have never been to one of this
groups panels then I strongly suggest you
find time to do so.
They have a huge amount of influence
and when the light at the end of the austerity
measures tunnel comes, they will again be
making recommendations on all levels of
pay awards.
Perhaps another one of my and the AFFs
functions is best summed up by a soldier
who contacted us through our website.
Thank you, he wrote, for asking the
difficult questions.
This Serviceman was involved in the
stability-versus-mobility debate. We were
trying to find out why some families choose
to send their children to boarding school
while others undertake weekly commutes in
order to steady their home lives.
We had some interesting
replies that have really broadened
our views and will help to ensure
we put balanced arguments
together in the face of future
policy developments.
But its not just the MoD and
British Army that we have to ask
the difficult questions of, it is
families themselves as well.
At a time of limited resources
there are hard choices to be made and if
people want to ensure that their opinions are
taken into consideration they must use their
voice not to complain to mates down the
pub but to alert the AFF, pay review body or
Chief of the General Staffs briefing team.
Take any opportunity that youre offered to
express your views on Army life.
Only then will we gain more ground in
getting answers to the difficult questions we
pose on your behalf. I
A PERSONAL view from Julie McCarthy, Chief
Executive of the Army Families Federation. Log
on to www.aff.org.uk for more information
Its easy to
forget that
those in
charge are
living this
life too
Loud and clear: Students on the Potential Officers Development Course debate some difficult questions of their own inside Oxfords Old Town Hall chamber
Speaking up is a job for everyone
P
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The publishers of Soldier cannot accept
responsibility for the accuracy of any
advertisement or for any losses suffered as
a result. Readers are strongly recommended
to make their own enquiries and seek
appropriate commercial, legal and nancial
advice before sending any money or entering
into any legally-binding agreement.
Notice to readers
K BW
We receive work from the
Armed Forces Criminal Legal
Aid Authority (AFCLAA)
both in UK and abroad.
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5, Kings Bench Walk, Temple, London EC4Y 7DN
PEN PAL
Caz (25), 54, enjoys reading,
socialising and drinking. She knows
a bit about the Army life as she has
a relative who is in 2 Royal Welsh.
Seeking pen pals, any age group. P023
Monica (42), highlighted blonde hair
with a curvy build. Enjoys clubs, pubs,
the cinema and shopping which is her
downfall as she loves it. Seeking pen pals
to write to, any age group. P031
Pippa (41), 56, blonde with blue
eyes. Enjoys writing, studying, music,
socialising, learning Japanese,
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mum. Seeking pen pals, 35-49. P032
Pauline, slim brunette (42), nice smile,
long hair, positive outlook on life. Lifes
too short so have to seize the day.
Enjoys walking, running, films, reading,
socialising, wine bars, country pubs
rather than clubs. A GSOH, wishing to find
friendship with decent, honest and funny
guy. Must like dogs, no time wasters
please and sincere replies only. P033
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FOR SALE
Cap badges, regimental ties, blazer
badges, medals, insignia. Send 2 for
list to: Cairncross (Dept S), 31 Belle Vue
Street, Filey, North Yorkshire YO14 9HU.
Website: www.cairncrossmilitaria.co.uk
Business for sale. Respected military
history publishing company in niche
market of audio books on battles.
Established 2002. Suit self-employment
for enthusiast to add titles and US
interest. Owner retiring. Existing stock
and website www.campaign-trails.
co.uk for sale plus intros to outsourced
creative and production team.
Expressions of interest by email please.
Email: john.urquhart@hemscott.net
Web: www.campaign-trails.co.uk
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Summer rentals also available.
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SERVICES
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STORAGE: Self storage for soldiers by
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Aldershot, Hants GU11 2DU
Or visit Soldier online at
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ad/class-ppen1.htm
Email: advertising@soldiermagazine.co.uk
All pen pal adverts must be prepaid.
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Perham Down. 3rd prize (2,500):
LCpl GWW Baird 4 Regt RA LAD
REME, Topcliffe. 4th prize (1,000):
WO2 JJ Tether 1 RSME Regt,
Chatham. 5th prize (500): WO2 DA
Ibbotson 104 Pnr Sqn RLC (V), Coulby
Newham. 15 consolation prizes (100
each): Sgt NMJ Swan 6 Regt RLC,
BFPO 47, LSgt DD Smith 1 Coldm
Gds, Windsor, 2nd Lt PJR Chishick
HCR, Windsor, Sgt PJ Mikolajewski 1
Mercian, Catterick Garrison, SSgt ML
Brown DFSS, Worthy Down, SSgt MD
Smith 3 Log Sp Regt RLC, Abingdon,
Cpl JL Taylor RTMC, Chilwell, Maj
N Serle D Trg (A), Andover, Sgt JA
Kemp Cdo Log Regt RM, Barnstaple,
Lt JRP Bailey 3 Scots, Ardersier, SSgt
CJ Dimaline QRH, BFPO 16, Cpl SL
Armiger 4 Medical Regt, Aldershot,
LCpl I Sema 32 Engr Regt, BFPO 30,
Sgt JA Cassidy 9/12 L, BFPO 30, Lt MJ
Elton 23 Pnr Regt, Bicester.
1 October 2011
1st prize (10,000): Sgt SJ Wilson
Cyprus Joint Security Unit, BFPO 57.
2nd prize (5,000): Sgt M Rogers 3
Regt AAC, Ipswich. 3rd prize (4,000):
Cpl RE Emerton 5 Regt AAC Wksp
REME. 4th prize (2,000); Maj JW
Cleverly 1 R Welsh, Chester. 5th
prize (1,000): LCpl SD Lewavakula
4 Scots, BFPO 38. 15 consolation
prizes (200 each): Pte NM McVitie
ARRC Sp Bn, Gloucester, SSgt GW
Francis HQ BFPO, Ruislip, Maj MR
MacKenzie-Crooks MOD Abbeywood,
Bristol, Cpl AT Daly MDHU, QAH
Portsmouth, Maj AB Veitch 38 Engr
Regt, BFPO 808, Cpl EMN Meacher
HQ 3 (UK) Div, Bulford Camp, SSgt
K Wilcockson 102 Log Bde HQ & Sig
Sqn, BFPO 47, LCpl SL Downey 4
Rifles, Bulford Camp, Pte A Coulson
1 Log Sp Regt RLC, BFPO 47, Capt
EJ Bird 6 Supply Regt RLC, BFPO 47,
SSgt TE Bradshaw MDHU, Frimley
Park Hospital, Cpl A Wilkinson 28
Engr Regt, BFPO 31, LCpl MT Forsyth
ARRC Sp Bn, Gloucester, Cpl ME Getty
101 FS Bn REME, BFPO 38, Pte MK
Makunde 8 Regt RLC, BFPO 17.
8 October 2011
1st prize (10,000): Maj VE McNaught
16 Air Assault Bde HQ, Colchester.
2nd prize (5,000): LCpl AB Boldy 1
(UK) Armd Div HQ & Sig Regt, BFPO
15. 3rd prize (4,000): Sig JL Gunn 1
(UK) Armd Div HQ & Sig Regt (211),
BFPO 15. 4th prize (2,000): Sig L
Cox 216 Para Sig Sqn, Colchester. 5th
prize (1,000): LCpl WR Hillier 35 Engr
Regt, BFPO 22. 15 consolation prizes
(200 each): LBdr N Cullwick 5 Regt
RA, Catterick, 2nd Lt HL Harman 12
Log Sp Regt RLC, Abingdon, Cpl RP
Worsey 8 Fd Coy (Para), Colchester,
LCpl SA Brogan 235 MI Sect, London,
Pte D Taylor Army Foundation College,
Harrogate, Pte KE Dowding 14 Regt
RA, Salisbury, Sgt PM Ingham HQ
Dulmen Stn, BFPO 44, Sgt A Mahmood
5 Regt RA, Catterick, Cpl DP Routledge
42 Engr Regt (Geo), Hermitage, LCpl K
Gurung 2 Signal Regt, York, LCpl DM
Gould 28 Engr Regt, BFPO 31, LCpl A
Birch 39 Engr Regt, Waterbeach, LCpl
SJ Burns 39 Engr Regt, Waterbeach,
Pte GJ Walsh 4 Log Sp Regt RLC,
Abingdon, Maj PA Buck Royal School of
Signals, Blandford Forum.
15 October 2011
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prize (5,000); Cpl JT Tutton 4 CS Bn
REME, Tidworth. 3rd prize (4,000);
Capt NJ Davis Scots DG, BFPO 38.
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174 Pro Coy RMP, Donnington. 5th
prize (1,000): Pte AJ Johnson Army
Foundation College, Harrogate. 15
consolation prizes (200 each): Cpl ID
Thrush 25 Trg Sp Regt RLC, Deepcut,
Pte AM Morgan Royal School of
Signals, Blandford Forum, Capt MR
Todd 1 (UK) Armd Div HQ & Sig Regt,
BFPO 15, Cpl W Tudor 26 Engr Regt,
Perham Down, Lt Col CA Borneman
ARRC Sp Bn, Gloucester, Pte MK
Karikaritu ARRC Sp Bn, Gloucester,
Cpl RA Taylor ATC(P), Pirbright,
Sgt JS Harrison 10 Trg Bn REME,
Bordon, Maj MW Shakespeare HQ LF,
Andover, Capt DJ Grubb HQ EinC(A),
Blackwater, WO2 PA Bell AGPDO,
Aldershot, Cpl PJE Ruck 2 RRF, BFPO
23, LBdr A Pearson 40 Regt RA, BFPO
801, Maj VBME Smallwood JSCSC,
Shrivenham, Pte L M Hirst 3 Log Sp
Regt Sqn RLC, Abingdon.
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REVIEWS soldier
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P76 MOVIES COMIC BOOK CARRY-ON
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P84 GEAR TOP OF THE RANGE
P78 GAMES POST-APOCALYPTIC RAGE
NOVEMBERS WINTER WARMERS
C
APTIVATING animation, an A-list cast and
a classic DC Comics superhero should be
a recipe for success, but not even these
prime ingredients can save this theatrical turkey.
Unlike stablemate Batman, who is enjoying
a renaissance with Christian Bale beneath the
mask, Green Lantern struggles to make the leap
from page to screen with much of the veteran
characters appeal seemingly lost in translation.
For the uninitiated, the eponymous hero is the
alternative, spandex-clad identity of Hal Jordan
(Ryan Reynolds), a test pilot who comes into
the possession of a ring that bestows him with
otherwordly powers.
Emotionally scarred after witnessing the death
of his father, the films protagonist is introduced
to the audience as an archetypal alpha male a
cocky, speed junkie rulebreaker.
These traits are at odds with the selfless
crusader he becomes when in green and
embroiled in an intergalactic conflict which
threatens to wipe out Earth and humankind.
However, this mish-mash of Hal the
nonchalant human and Hal the serious hero
serves only to confuse and, ultimately, disappoint.
Despite the best efforts of Reynolds and the
strong supporting cast of Blake Lively, Peter
Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett and Tim
Robbins, Green Lantern fails to hit the spectacular
heights of other superheroes.
Such a review will be particulary hard for the
movies lead, a self-confessed fan of capes and
sci-fi crusades, to swallow.
I grew up watching Superman and was
fascinated with that they made a man fly,
Reynolds said.
I was also really into the Star Wars films and
that whole universe.
Green Lantern is one of the oldest
superheroes in terms of longevity hes been
around for almost seven decades but I didnt
know that much about him before pursuing this
movie role.
It was only when I dived into some of that
history that I discovered he is one of the most
complex characters around.
Theres so much information and so many
ways you could have gone with the first movie, let
alone any other subsequent films that may come
along afterwards.
While the sight of Reynolds in body-hugging
green spandex will tick the eye-candy box for
many, it is not the sole visual highlight of the film.
The make-up used to bring Hector Hammond
(Sarsgaard), a scientist who has ingested
alien spores and become a baddie, to life is
outstanding and genuinely frightening.
In its defence, the movie also has glimpsing
moments of humour. Reynolds explained how
gags about superheroes always getting the girl
made it onto the screen: I thought were living in
this impossible universe where Hal is a surrogate
for the audience, so really you need to give him
some of the same reactions that the audience
might have in those moments.
I looked back through the comic books and
theyre amusing and this guy is kind of witty.
I wouldnt say hes a funny character but hes
sharp like Han Solo and thats something we
made sure came through in the script.
However, neither Jordans comic timing or his
fighting exploits can elevate this movie beyond an
average status.
The Green Lantern is not an awful film but it
lacks the muscle of other superhero features. Q
OGreen Lantern is out now on DVD
Superhero shambles
Silver screen offering falls short of reinventing a 70-year-old comic book creation
VIVACIOUS VIEWING FOR FILM FANS reviews@soldiermagazine.co.uk
Review: Joe Clapson
Blast from the past:
Green Lantern, released
by Warner Home Video,
brings a comic book
classic to the screen
CENTRED on inmates at
the fictional HMP Falkhill,
Ghosted is a film that pulls
few punches regarding life
behind bars and has the
bonus of not only a decent
storyline but a cracking
twist at the end. Jack
(John Lynch) is nearing
the end of his sentence
and takes new inmate Paul (Martin Compston)
under his wing and away from bad boy Clay
(Craig Parkinson). The psychotic jailbird is
angry with Jack and a power struggle ensues with
the recent arrival left in the middle. Overall an
excellent offering with decent acting and despite
looking like just another prison film, this one has
a genuine surprise to keep you thinking.
A DETECTIVE working
in an affluent American
town is called upon to
investigate the accidental
killing of a child during a
bungled robbery. His hunt
for the perpetrators leads
him to a poverty-stricken
area where residents are
desperately struggling to
secure an industrial investment from a wealthy
corporation. The deal hangs in the balance as it
emerges the victims mother sits on the county
board of commissioners. This film provides some
solid acting but is let down by a weak plot which
lacks any depth. It would have been better suited
for a television audience but would still struggle
against other crime dramas on our screens.
I LOST count of how many
times this horror made
my skin crawl. A young
professional family move
into their imposing new
home. The baby monitor
is the first to detect that
all is not well and soon
enough every trick in the
genre is used to maximise
your discomfort. Music of impending doom,
early inferences of poltergeists and incremental
escalations in violence all added to the goose-
bump-inducing sensation that someone was
behind me. I was forced to turn the light on
and the Johnson household creaked more than
normal after I watched it. Insidious is definitely
one to watch with a brave, protective mate.
Ghosted out now As Blood Runs Deep out now Insidious out now
Rodge Tapply, ex-RE Tracey Phillips, Army wife Capt Neil Johnson, AAC
From life behind bars to a birthday party bloodbath, Soldier checks out the latest DVD releases...
S
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movies REVIEW
AT first glance you would
be forgiven for thinking
this movie is just another
biker-gang violence fest.
Although it does centre
on this subject, the title is
more of a twisted jumble
of horror meets Close
Encounters of the Third
Kind variety of gore. The
crews leader Cody goes back to his mums place
in the country with his mates to celebrate her
birthday in true biker style with plenty of booze
and sex. However, a group of aliens who have
assumed the form of classic 1950s-style punks
are lurking nearby. They gatecrash the party and
a bloodbath ensues. A good storyline and several
twists make this a decent film.
THIS gripping lm
highlights the effects of
being the bearer of bad
news in a military context.
Here an Iraq veteran, SSgt
Will Montgomery (Ben
Foster), is deployed to the
casualty notication team
to help Capt Tony Stone
(Woody Harrelson)
inform families that their relatives have been
killed on duty. Stone has a particularly non-
emotional style and tells his colleague to follow
suit, but his junior doesnt take the order. The
movie portrays the other side of conict, away
from the gunre of the operational battleeld.
Along with The Hurt Locker it goes some way to
documenting the reality of the Iraq war.
IN this psychological
thriller, released on Blu-ray
and DVD on November 7,
four youngsters win a trip
to New York courtesy of a
social networking website.
Once airborne it becomes
evident to Jo (Scarlett
Alice Johnson), Max (Jack Gordon), Gwen
(Elen Rhys) and Dave (Michael Jibson) that
their mystery host knows more about them than
they had dared to imagine. Trapped at 30,000 feet
they must play online games to save the lives of
their loved ones. Soldier has five copies of the
DVD to give away courtesy of Cine-Britannia. For
your chance to win, tell us who plays Jo. Answers
on a postcard to the usual address or by email to
comps@soldiermagazine.co.uk
The Violent Kind out now The Messenger out now Win... Panic Button
Rodge Tapply, ex-RE Joe Clapson, Soldier Closing date: November 30
Lean in green: Gym-happy Ryan Reynolds dons a fetching skin-tight outfit before swooping into the sky to save planet Earth from evil alien forces
W
ITH an impressive CV that boasts hit
titles such as Doom and Quake, there
was a certain amount of expectation
on developers id Software ahead of their latest
all-action release.
The Texas-based creators have excelled in
the first-person shooter genre and in Rage they
combine what they do best with their bleak vision
of a post-apocalyptic world.
Set in the not-too-distant future, the game sees
you fighting for survival in the wake of an asteroid
hitting Earth.
With the planet ravaged, humanity is
desperately trying to re-establish itself against
forces such as raider gangs, mutants and other
deathly enemies.
Like the majority of offerings in this field, the
controls are easily mastered thanks to the near
uniformity that exists from one shooter to the next.
And the opening mission provides the ideal
platform to familiarise yourself with your stark
new surroundings.
After awakening from a long spell of
hibernation in an isolation chamber, our hero
steps out into an alien world and is swiftly
confronted by a savage horde.
With annihilation looking likely, a fellow
survivor comes to the rescue and the action
quickly unfolds.
His art of persuasion prompts a return attack on
the enemys lair, where you are set a simple task of
killing all you see.
This sets the tone for the rest of the game.
There is a fair amount of travelling required ahead
of each objective, but at times there is little to see
or do by means of distraction along the way.
The initial weapon provision makes life
somewhat cumbersome, as the trusty pistol has to
fire several rounds before fully downing its target
and the elongated reloading leaves you open to a
vicious battering.
However, a selection of bandages and a
rechargeable defibrillator can soon boost your
health if such a beating occurs.
As you progress, the firepower improves and
the introduction of high-calibre bullets add a
definite kick to your side arm.
An almighty shotgun and crossbow bolt soon
follow and a triple-bladed boomerang offers even
greater variety.
But the action is not restricted to a mere foot
campaign. As well as being an impressive first-
person shooter, Rage offers an adrenalin-fuelled
driving element.
An assortment of vehicles are available, starting
out with a relatively modest quad bike before
progressing to a serious array of muscle cars.
These can also be upgraded with armour, new
tyres and weaponry such as rocket launchers and
machine guns.
One of Rages most impressive features is the
visuals, which create a stunning backdrop of
wreckage and urban decay.
The towns and cities are ripe for exploring and
there are a host of engaging characters to meet
and interact with.
On the downside, the story is somewhat
repetitive as are the settings and enemies and
it suffers from a rather abrupt ending that does not
do justice to what has gone before.
But a lengthy campaign mode that stretches
for up to 20 hours will keep you more than
entertained and the slick gameplay and movement
is fresh and exciting.
Rage may not hit the heights of other titles in
this competitive genre, but it is a breathtaking
adventure that is well worth embarking on. Q
Fight of the future
Famed developers create post-apocalyptic battlefield in hotly anticipated shooter
Review: Richard Long
Back with a bang: Creators
id Software have made
a triumphant return with
Rage, which is out now on
PC, PS3 and Xbox 360
UP front, Bodycount looks
like a promising title and,
coming from the studio
that brought us Operation:
Flashpoint, I was expecting
a finely polished gem.
What I experienced wasnt
so shiny. The graphics
are fairly decent and the
gameplay is considerably
action-heavy but it falls squarely on its face when
it comes to the story, or lack of it. And it is also
very repetitive. All of the environments, despite
claiming to be different, look distinctly similar
and the enemies seem to have been created in a
vast cloning facility. This is ugly, cumbersome,
tedious, tacky and about as attractive and
comfortable as a pair of maggot socks. Avoid.
THE latest Pro Evolution
Soccer instalment offers
a more realistic football
experience with players
taking control of everything
from tactics to technical
moves. As with previous
games in the franchise, the
English top tier still doesnt
have the real names of
teams, which is a slight disappointment. Training
challenges allow you to learn and improve your
skills before taking to the field, where you have
the option of managing a team or becoming
a legend of the game as an individual player.
Practise is vital if you are to master the controls
and, in comparison to other titles, youll spend
more time learning moves than scoring goals.
WITH a new title coming
every year, it makes you
wonder how many changes
can be made in such a
short space of time. In NHL
12, the alterations focus on
a refined game engine and
improved teammates and
opponents. The revised
platform ensures smaller
players can no longer upend the bigger guys,
meaning the power forwards bring brute strength
while their more nimble colleagues can evade
contact far easier. The fight sequences are also
pretty good as you are able to check rivals into
the benches and knock off their helmets with a
series of blows. All in all, NHL 12 is a very good
game but does take some getting used to.
Bodycount for PS3 and Xbox 360 PES 2012 for all formats NHL 12 for PS3 and Xbox 360
David McDougall, JHQ Rhiendahlen Sgt Tom Calvert, RA Daniel Crowder, Greater Manchester ACF
From hard-hitting hockey hotheads to a regrettable rugby romp, we check out whats hot and whats not...
EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE VIRTUAL WORLD reviews@soldiermagazine.co.uk
S
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ames
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REVIEW
THIS is a title that dares
to be different. With a plot
based on ancient religious
texts and a breathtaking
visual style, El Shaddai is
the perfect tonic for anyone
bored with grey coloured
sci- shooters. Playing
as Enoch, youre sent to
Earth to defeat seven fallen
angels that are corrupting mankind. Whether
futuristic cityscape or underwater kingdom,
the environments are stunningly beautiful. The
game is mostly comprised of a hack-and-slash
style combat but it isnt perfect; the storyline is
occasionally confusing and the xed camera can
prove frustrating. However, the visual experience
is so unique that it should not be missed.
Happy hunting ground: Rage boasts an action-packed 20-hour campaign that features stunning settings and a frightening array of awesome weaponry
FROM the outside, Banoi
looks like a tropical
paradise setting with a
sparkling blue ocean but
get closer and youll spot
blood on the sand, walls
and in the swimming
pools. Dead Island isnt
as it first appears; its
got zombies but its not
a survival horror game. It is played from a first-
person perspective and has shooting, but its
not a first-person shooter. This is an open-world
action role-playing game that favours grisly
melee combat and shines in missions where you
risk life and limb. It will be compared to Dead
Rising and Left 4 Dead and while it is a little
rough round the edges, I loved it.
MUCH like Englands
involvement in the 2011
Rugby World Cup, the
tournaments video game
atters to deceive. Fans of
the sport have been largely
forgotten by developers
Jonah Lomu Rugby and
Rugby 08 being the only
notable entries in the genre
and this effort is not worth the wait. In its favour
it is easy to pick up and play, but you soon learn
how to repeatedly slice through the Challenger
2-sized gaps in the computers defensive line.
Unforgivably for an ofcial game, only ten of
the 20 competing teams not including Australia
or hosts New Zealand are licensed. Kick this
one into touch.
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron Dead Island for all formats Rugby World Cup for PS3 and Xbox 360
Stephen Smith, MoD Corsham LCpl John Murphy, QARANC Stephen Tyler, ex-Soldier
W
HEN Girls Aloud embarked on their
musical hiatus in 2009, few bets would
have been made on Nicola Roberts
striding forward as a solo star.
While the groups more dominant personalities
have clambered for attention in their own way,
the 25-yeard-old often branded as moody and
uninteresting has bided her time.
The release of debut album Cinderellas Eyes
has seen her emerge from the shadows of her
more illustrious colleagues and, if anything, her
efforts are far more noteworthy than anything
produced by her counterparts.
The record has been 18 months in the making
and features an army of collaborators and
producers, but Roberts has been determined to
steer the project in her own direction.
She described the recording process as being
far from easy and admitted that some attempts
at co-writing simply did not work.
I had to feel like I would say and mean every
one of these lyrics, the singer explained.
I would tell them, Id never say that in a
million years, why would I put it down just
because it rhymes?
Its as simple as this: Ive been given the
opportunity to make the album I want to make, so
Ive absolutely put every last bit of heart and soul
into it.
Working as an individual has meant she has
been more involved in her music, something that
has come as a revelation outside of the band.
She said: The stress levels of making this
record Ive never known anything like it.
It has literally been all of me. And I had to
make it like that. I had to, if I was to be proud of it.
Tracks like I and Sticks and Stones are the
dream songs I always wanted to write. I was
passionate about creating these songs and I didnt
think Id ever get to.
I now hear things in music that I have never
heard before.
Roberts added: If music makes you feel good
and you like it, its always right.
If theres one thing Ive learnt from all this its
that there should never be any rules with music.
Admittedly, Cinderellas Eyes was approached
with some caution given the plastic pop
background of the artist but this is a surprisingly
good record that easily eclipses the dismal solo
offerings produced by bandmates Cheryl Cole and
Nadine Coyle.
Debut single Beat Of My Drum provides a
triumphant opening with its cheerleader style,
before follow-up Lucky Day pushes an optimistic
dance vibe.
But there is also a degree of versatility to her
work. I is an eerie and almost haunting number
that boasts strange-sounding synths that are oddly
enjoyable and Roberts is happy to fire back at her
critics through some well thought-out lyrics in
tracks such as Sticks and Stones and Take A Bite.
A slight downside comes in her version of
the much-covered Everybodys Got To Learn
Sometime, which fails to capture the imagination,
and Say It Out Loud lacks creativity, making it
more of a miss than a hit.
While others have tried and failed, Roberts
seems to be the one who is making the biggest
waves outside the comfort blanket of Girls Aloud.
In her first solo record she showcases an
impressive vocal range and proves herself as a
writer with real promise.
So, when the inevitable call to get the band
back together comes, the most obvious candidate
to favour a reunion could well be the most
reluctant to actually do so. Q
Pops new princess
Unlikely star of Girls Aloud outshines fellow divas with inspired debut offering
TOP TUNES FOR THE TROOPS reviews@soldiermagazine.co.uk
Flying solo: Nicola Roberts
has left band life behind
to produce new album
Cinderellas Eyes, which is
out now on Polydor Records
THE latest offering from
rockers Machine Head is
a modern day classic that
combines heavy, powerful
and sometimes melodic
guitars with aggressive
drums. It was always going
to be difcult for the band to follow up on their
2007 release The Blackening, but this comes
close. The title track is immense and has a great
hook that really gets you revved up, while The
Darkness Within builds and builds to something
amazing. There are certainly no llers on this
album and each song has its own bold character
which is very typically Machine Head. It is great
to see a true metal band still kicking ass, without
the need for nicely pruned hairdoos and the now
customary skinny t jeans.
THIS new album from
Natalia Kills offers
pulsating beats and tunes
that are different on every
song. While Perfectionist
may not be to everyones
liking as some of the
tunes are on the dance side, the overriding RnB
vibe is awesome. There is a diverse sense of
style within the lyrics and the music behind
them offers tremendous variety. The outstanding
offering is Wonderland, which proves to be ideal
listening while on the go. With 15 tracks there is
certainly a lot on offer and a host of famed guest
collaborators add superbly to the mix. I would
strongly recommend this to those who like to
listen to a wide range of musical genres. The
album is a denite ten out of ten for me.
ALTERNATIVE rockers
You, Me At Six have
seen their third release
Sinners Never Sleep smash
its way into the charts and
hit the listening public
right where they never
expected. They rightly deserve the success and
recognition they are currently receiving, even if
their new musical avenue may disappoint their
loyal fans. However, this fresh direction should
be embraced along with a new maturity of style.
Single Loverboy swaggers and rolls along like a
rollercoaster, seeping into your sub-conscious,
daring you to turn it up and it sets the scene for
the rest of the album. While this may not set the
music world alight, it is certainly worth a listen
and I would recommend it to any rock fan.
Unto The Locust by Machine Head Perfectionist by Natalia Kills Sinners Never Sleep by You, Me At Six
Andrew Long, civvy Kim Cresswell, Army wife WO2 Mo Morris, RLC
From Natalias perfect ten to Langers laid-back lyrics, we tune in to the latest releases...
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Cinders goes to the ball: Nicola Roberts waited 18 months before releasing her first album and is now enjoying her turn in the spotlight as a solo artist
THE story behind the
new album from Mads
Langer began in 2009,
when he was asked by
his local radio station to
record a cover for their
Best of 90s campaign.
He picked Youre Not Alone by Olive. A year
later his contemporary and emotionally-charged
interpretation of the song had topped the charts
around Europe and he found himself performing
in front of 80,000 people. His album is a blend
of long and relaxing background music with only
brief hints of something a little more upbeat. If
you like your tunes chilled, youll love this. If not,
youll be disappointed. But it is well recorded
and Langer has a good voice, making this perfect
material for a quiet night in with the missus.
THIS debut album from
Ed Sheeran went straight
to number one in the UK
and it shows a great range
of musical styles. The
most obvious box to put
him in is folk-rock, but
he also incorporates acoustic, hip-hop and rap.
Sometimes the variety adds to the interest but it
can make the album seem a little incoherent. The
A-Team is a beautiful, moving ballad, while You
Need Me, I Dont Need You is an irritating and
ridiculous attempt at ganster rap. The songs all
tell stories usually very sad ones some are
very tender and others have a Kate Nash-style
humour to them. Despite its commercial success,
+ has received decidedly mixed reviews. But I like
it and am still playing it in the car every day.
THE nations favourite
singing Servicemen return
with their third studio
album, which features the
usual selection of well-
crafted and easy-listening
covers. This offering has
added poignance as the title track has been
named as the official single of the 2011 Poppy
Appeal. In a show of support to the cause, Bee
Gees legend Robin Gibb teamed up with the
trio to record the song, which became a number
one single when it was first released in 1968.
Tracks such as Right Here Waiting, Father and
Son, Pipes of Peace and Youll Never Walk Alone
provide further familiarity in a comforting album
that prompts thoughts of home for soldiers and
their loved ones.
Behold by Mads Langer + by Ed Sheeran Message To You by The Soldiers
Rodge Tapply, ex-RE Pat Jordan, ex-RAMC Richard Long, Soldier
A
DEVOTED Army wife has penned an action-
packed love story set in both London and
Afghanistan that highlights the emotional
strain of operations on those left at home.
Amanda Prowse has drawn on her own
experiences of watching husband Maj Simeon
Prowse (REME) setting off for war to create a work
of fiction focused on a soldier being taken hostage
by the Taliban.
Although Poppy Day is not autobiographical,
the mother-of-two explained that it epitomised the
Army spouse.
No-one but those connected to the Services
can fully appreciate the emotions involved when a
loved one goes on tour dealing with the danger
as well as the separation, she told Soldier.
Theres the element of uncertainty and you
constantly have one eye on the door, waiting
for the dreaded knock, and one ear on the TV
listening for bad news.
I think Service spouses are a unique bunch
and my main character is just the same.
The book centres on the story of Poppy, a
hairdresser, and her husband Martin who joins the
Army in search of fulfilment and a better life.
Descriptions of the lengths the female
protagonist is willing to go to rescue her husband
when he is captured, and the Servicemans
terrifying experience as a hostage in Afghanistan,
are gripping.
Battling against standard procedures, Poppy
decides to bring Mart home herself using the
connections of a journalist who has forged links
with Middle Eastern terrorists.
Describing how the idea for the book sprung
to mind, the first-time author said: I was talking
with Simeon about the risks of his last operational
tour and I had an ominous feeling, which made
me think what if I needed to get to him, would it
be possible?
In all walks of life people say they are too
busy for things, but when the call comes to say
your loved one is ill or threatened you just drop
everything and climb every obstacle to protect
them. This is about what Poppy does to get Martin
back, stopping at nothing.
The novel which boasts a foreword from the
authors close friend, television presenter Carol
Vorderman has been released this month to
coincide with The Royal British Legions 90th
year. All proceeds from sales will go directly
to the charity to help fund its state-of-the-art
Battle Back Centre for wounded, injured and sick
military personnel.
The British Legion has been supporting
Servicemen and women brilliantly for 90 years,
said Prowse.
The Army has been amazing for my husband
and I desperately wanted to do something to say
thank you to him and the many thousands who do
a job that most not only wouldnt do, but actually
couldnt do.
Poppy Day provides an accurate insight
into Army life from an alternative perspective
and although it deals with dark topics, there is
humour throughout.
With a love story running parallel to the
realities of conflict, the title will appeal to anyone
with an interest in the Armed Forces but also
those looking to laugh out loud at the tribulations
of family life.
Its not easy and you dont pick that path, but
you choose to be with the one you love the
book shows that, Prowse added. Despite the
immense danger and heartache involved, the
story is a really positive example of how a military
relationship can work. Q

Nuptials nurtures novel Nuptials nurtures novel
Authors experiences as a Service spouse seed idea to swell British Legions coffers
RECONNOITRING READING FOR THE RANKS reviews@soldiermagazine.co.uk
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Prowses prose: Poppy Day is
out now in paperback, audio
book and Kindle download
format, with all proceeds going
to The Royal British Legion
WHILE operating in
Sumatra in the wake of
the 2005 tsunami, Andy
McNabs hero Nick
Stone makes a promise to
a dying comrade to look
after his wife. Cut to 2011
and the widow in question
is kidnapped off the
coast of Somalia having
formed a relationship with a Russian oligarch.
Chaos, death and destruction duly ensue with
our lead battling and sometimes befriending
Somali pirates. Fast paced and with short, sharp
chapters, the title features plenty of references to
recent news events, including the Libyan conflict.
Dead Centre offers a good mix of technical and
operational detail that will keep the realists happy.
BUILDING on the personal
stories of three young
soldiers, Mike Rossiter
delivers a detailed tactical
account of the infamous
battle at Arnhem. By
tracking the trio from their
pre-war lives through
various theatres of the
Second World War, the
reader is given an understanding of the disparate
background of 1st Airborne Division, desperate
for meaningful deployment, and how it came to
be after D-Day. While the book focuses on the
individuals following their capture, it would have
been interesting to hear the reflective opinions of
these men on whether, for them, it was or was not
a great thing... to say I fought at Arnhem.
SENT to Egypt as a public
relations officer, Col
Robert Hornby was
witness to the closing of
the Suez Canal to traffic
bound for Israel. A witness
to one of the first actions
by the Arab League and
vulnerable to arrest, he
was forced to leave the
country only to return with diplomatic immunity
as a military attache months later. The author
documents the 1952 revolution that ended with
the abdication of King Farouk and was led by
two young officers, Nasser and Sadat names
that would figure in Egyptian politics for years to
come. With echoes to the present day, this is a
fascinating insight into a unique period in history.
Dead Centre by Andy McNab We Fought at Arnhem by Mike Rossiter Prelude to Suez by Robert Hornby
WO2 Ian Barraclough, REME Maj Toby Hamnett, AGC (ALS) SSgt Mick Dannatt, MPGS
From hard-as-nails Nick Stone to bloodstained diamonds, a flick through this months literary releases...
Interview: Joe Clapson
Forces fella: Amanda Prowse, pictured with husband Maj Simeon Prowse (REME), wants to thank The Royal British Legion for its brilliant support
FIELD Marshal Sir Douglas
Haig was commander-
in-chief of the British
Expeditionary Force on the
Western Front in the First
World War and considered
by many to be the most
incompetent Allied general.
His tactics were to attack
strongly-defended German
positions with waves of unprotected Infantry as
evidenced at Arras, Cambrai, Passchendaele and
the Somme where a million men died and even
more were wounded. Professor Gary Sheffield
reassesses Haigs reputation and expounds the
crucial role he played in leading the British Army
to victory. This is a well researched and thought-
provoking book.
WHILE the author of this
book is a journalist, he
has probably seen more
action than many who have
served in military uniform.
Barrel of a Gun: A War
Correspondents Misspent
Moments in Combat
had me hooked from
the first few enthralling,
information-packed pages. Covering many
familiar campaigns and others this reviewer
hadnt heard of, Al J Venter recollects a number
of occasions when he had to put down his
camera and pick up a weapon. He did so not for
bravado but for survival. Put simply, this title is
the journalists bible and compulsory reading for
wannabe scribes.
DONT be fooled into
thinking this is the story
of Fred Marafono
(the eponymous SAS
trooper) it is not.
Instead, this offering from
Hamish Ross and the
aforementioned ex-
Serviceman charts the fate
of Executive Operations a
private company set up by David Stirling and
Simon Mann. While Marafono is integral to the
tale, the book reads like a prospectus for the firm
and presents its actions during Sierra Leones
diamond wars in the best possible light. Dont buy
this if youre looking for a boys own adventure,
but do so to see how such companies operate
almost with impunity, yet bloodily, in Africa.
The Chief by Gary Sheffield Barrel of a Gun by Al J Venter From SAS to Blood Diamond Wars
Lt Col (Retd) Dawson Pratt, R Signals Anthony McNally, ex-12 Regt RA Andy Kay, ex-RS
W
HEN conjuring images of the archetypal
Range Rover, a hulking vehicle that
dominates the highway and the off-road
landscape immediately springs to mind.
So when offered the chance to test drive the
all-new Evoque a model I knew next to nothing
about I confidently expected more of the same.
However, instead of churning out another hefty
road warrior, the brains behind one of the most
eagerly anticipated cars of the year have taken a
positive step in the opposite direction.
The Evoque has broken the mould of its
predecessors and offers a refreshingly sleek
approach to its design.
However, appreciation of such efforts was not
immediate for this reviewer. My initial impression
was that this resembled a beefed-up Mini Cooper
with giant rally wheels that did little to deserve the
prestigious title of a Range Rover.
But time is a great healer and within a couple
of days I had happily warmed to the charms of a
mighty sport utility vehicle that turned more than a
few heads during its time at Soldier HQ.
While the Evoques appearance posed some
minor questions, its performance on the road was
not in doubt.
The Si4 coupe rolled quietly through the streets
of Aldershot, handling the confines of the towns
one-way system and narrow car parks with ease.
Once on the open road its impressive two-litre
petrol engine, which is capable of delivering
0-60mph in just 7.1 seconds, roared into life.
The settings in the automatic gearbox deliver
outstanding power and performance, but those
who fail to appreciate such subtleties can utilise
the sport mode and bring the customary flappy
paddles into play.
Such technicalities were not needed for the
purpose of my journey and disposing of the
irksome gear changes simply created more time
to appreciate the Evoques driving experience.
The ride is smooth and responsive and feels
like you are behind the wheel of a traditional road
car, just from the elevated position of a 4x4.
The typical array of gadgets and displays are all
present but there is little confusion when it comes
to operating these devices.
A central console offers a host of traditional
radio and DAB channels and doubles as a highly
detailed satellite navigation system. Climate
settings and heated seats are also available at the
touch of a finger.
The leather interior creates unparalleled
comfort behind the wheel, while the stunning
digital display caters for the speedometer, rev
counter and fuel gauge.
A slight downfall for the coupe is the lack of
space in the rear. With a couple of six-footers
riding up front, the legroom for passengers in the
back was restricted at best.
However, such issues are successfully
countered in the five-door model, which boasts an
extra 1.2 inches of headroom.
The boot is generous and there is ample space
for suitcases or the family dog.
With prices at the pump remaining at an all-
time high, fuel consumption could be a cause for
concern and, at 23.7 miles per gallon, the Si4 is
the thirstiest model in the range.
In comparison, its siblings offer greater
efficiency, while CO2 emissions have been
closely monitored to ensure its status as an
environmentally-friendly option.
After initial scepticism the Evoque proved to be
a real grower and Range Rovers break from the
norm has certainly paid off they have created a
car that is both stylish and a joy to drive. Q
A fresh frontier
Range Rover reconfigure their off-road approach to create exceptional Evoque
BREAKING STUFF SO YOU DONT HAVE TO reviews@soldiermagazine.co.uk
Road to success: The
Range Rover Evoque has
made a superb debut
thanks to its power,
gadgetry and comfort
TOUCHSCREEN
technology has
become a mainstay
of contemporary
gadgetry and the
Evoque does not fall
short in this area. A
central digital control system provides access to
television channels and a host of FM, AM and
DAB stations, while further musical entertainment
comes courtesy of a ten-disc CD multiplayer and
iPod connection that delivers tunes to a state-
of-the-art speaker set-up. The high-definition
display offers an all-encompassing satellite
navigation system and doubles as a parking aid
that allows you to reverse safely and avoid any
hazards to the rear. It is also the portal for the
cars all-seeing motion cameras.
COMFORT is the
name of the game
for the Evoque. The
interior boasts quality
leather craftsmanship
that makes even the
longest journey a
joy to behold. Electronic controls allow you to
adjust your seat to the optimum position and
the cockpits climate can be set at the touch of
a finger. The only downside to the Si4 coupe is
the lack of space in the rear, but this is rectified
in its five-door sibling that features an additional
1.2 inches of headroom. The boot is ample and a
spectacular panoramic roof creates a real sense
of freedom. LED ambient lighting provides a
sophisticated illumination of the cabin, where you
can set the colour to match your mood.

THE state-of-the-art
two-litre Si4 petrol
engine delivers
unrivalled power and
performance. The
car roars to a top
speed of 135mph
and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds.
Environmental sustainability is at the forefront of
the design and the Evoque has adopted low CO2
systems such as electric power-assisted steering
to cut down on emissions. Fuel ecomony could
be a slight cause for concern at 23.7 miles per
gallon, but other models in the range offer greater
savings at the pump. This vehicle also sees
Range Rover offering customers a choice between
the standard four-wheel-drive system and a low
carbon front-wheel drive option for the first time.
Cutting-edge console World of leather Hot to trot
Mark out of five: +++++ Mark out of five: ++++ Mark out of five: ++++
We examine the host of executive features included in the Range Rover Evoque Si4...
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Top of its class: The Range Rover Evoque Si4 has a maximum speed of 135mph and combines power and performance with a smooth ride and supreme comfort
DRIVING is certainly
made easy in the
Range Rover Evoque
courtesy of its
simple automatic
gearbox. A central
dial allows you to
effortlessly switch from the park setting to drive
or reverse, while motoring purists have the option
of engaging the vehicles sport mode for further
fun on the roads. This brings the flappy paddles
on the steering column into play, putting gear
changes back in the hands of those behind the
wheel. The hassle of wrestling with the handbrake
has been replaced by a convenient switch on the
dashboard and the push-button start system sees
this beast roaring into life without the need for an
ignition key.
IN the current
financial climate,
there is no doubt
that splashing your
hard-earned cash
on a state-of-the-art
Evoque represents
a significant investment. With prices starting at
around 27,000 you have to be sure this is the
car for you. But luckily for serving personnel,
Land Rover Military Sales offer hefty discounts on
the amount civvies have to pay for their motors.
All members of the Armed Forces are eligible to
receive seven per cent off the price of an Evoque,
with 13 per cent savings available on other
vehicles in the British car-makers range. For
more information call the Peterborough-based
dealers on 01733 213231 or visit their website.
WE would have asked
the stars of BBCs
Top Gear to test drive
the new Evoque, but
Jeremy Clarkson et
al are busy preparing
for their exciting new
live show. Soldier has teamed up with Clarion
Events to give away 20 pairs of tickets to the
motoring spectacular. Birminghams National
Exhibition Centre hosts the trio from November
11 to 13, before moving to the London ExCeL
from November 24 to 27. For your chance to win
email competition@topgearlive.co.uk with Soldier
Magazine in the subject line. A 5 discount is
also available on silver tickets by quoting the
code RA16 when booking online or via the hotline
number 0871 2305588.
Life in the fast lane Service-specific sales Win... tickets to Top Gear Live
Mark out of five: ++++ www.landrovermilitarysales.co.uk www.topgearlive.co.uk
Pictures: Graeme Main
ROYAL RUMBLE: ARMY BOXERS
BECOME KINGS OF THE RING ON
HISTORIC NIGHT AT ALBERT HALL
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NOT MANY AMATEUR BOXERS CAN SAY THEY HAVE FOUGHT AT THE
ROYAL ALBERT HALL IT WAS THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME FOR US
COMBINED SERVICES BOXING SENSATION LCPL SHAUN DICK (SCOTS, ABOVE)
Report: Joe Clapson
P
ROUD Army boxers ensured that
an historic contest between the
UK Combined Services and their
American rivals ended with a home
victory at the world-famous Royal
Albert Hall.
The transatlantic tournament was the
first time boxing had been held at the
London venue for more than a decade
and a huge crowd guaranteed the event
was a night to remember.
The opening clash in the nine-bout
encounter got off to a slow start as Pte
Shamim Khan (RLC) and Tom Payne,
of the US Naval Academy, tried to find
their range.
Both were aiming to please with
swinging shots but nothing of note
connected. Khan edged the first round
with a solid right hook and a flurry of
quick-fire jabs that put his opponent on
the back foot.
The 57kg star held his nerve after
a tense second period and proved to
be the classier fighter as he recorded a
12-9 victory.
Spr Marc Truslove (RE) gave a
sensational display of power and
boxing prowess as he produced three
knockdowns inside three rounds against
LCpl Felix Magallenez.
The US Marine was floored in the
opening exchanges by a solid left hook
that brought the jubilant audience to
its feet.
After a disciplined second round, the
skilled sapper dropped his opponent
again with a clean combination before
a monstrous right hook saw the referee
stop the fight.
With both teams exchanging wins
throughout the evening, the score
stood at 4-3 in favour of the Combined
Services as LCpl Shaun Dick (Scots)
took to the ring.
The 60kg athlete made an impressive
start as he danced around his US
counterpart, LCpl Freddie Rosado,
working his sharp jab and unleashing
point-scoring blows.
However, the proud Scotsman
stepped off the pace in the second and
was on the receiving end of some well-
timed shots from the US Marine.
He returned to form for a final assault
but was caught again by a barrage of
punches as he worked to reduce the
deficit. The Army star came up short
and lost the contest 19-18.
With the monumental tie squared
at 4-4 going into the last bout, home
captain Spr Adam Whitfield (RE)
had the pressure of the nation on his
shoulders as he attempted to secure a
famous win.
Facing up to the menacing
Midshipman Jesus Aguilera with 103
bouts and just eight losses under his
belt it was billed as a tall order for the
54kg fighter.
But with a partisan crowd behind
him, the classy sapper unloaded some
rapid-fire shots in the first few seconds
to set the tone.
His American rival held his hands low
but Whitfield took the arrogant stance
as an open invitation to land further
blows and notch up some valuable
points early on.
He rocked his experienced opponent
with a snappy double-jab in the second
and showcased his superb ringcraft to
land blow after blow.
The final round saw both boxers
throw everything into the ring and the
stocky stateside fighter swung hard
with some big punches that Whitfield
managed to counter.
He then retaliated with three sweet
shots to put his rival on the floor and
bring the Army crowd to fever pitch.
With thousands of feet stamping in
the background, Whitfield piled on the
pressure to ensure there was no doubt
about the result.
The captains hard-fought 14-12
victory was a fitting way for the Army to
secure the inaugural Royal Albert Hall
Cup for the Combined Services. Q
Ring warriors reign supreme
Army ghters lead the charge as Combined Services seal victory at Royal Albert Hall
ARMYS TALE OF THE TAPE
Q SKIPPER Spr Adam Whiteld (RE) had
the honour of guiding his team to victory
with a stunning triumph over the vastly
experienced Jesus Aguilera.
He said: It was an incredible
experience to ght at such a famous
venue and Im proud to say I boxed at the
Royal Albert Hall.
When I looked at the card and saw
hed had 103 bouts with just eight losses I
would be lying if I said I wasnt nervous.
I have boxed for ten years and fought
in ABA nals but this tops the lot; with the
atmosphere, the crowd and the win for the
team, it just ticked every box.
Q THE Combined Services made a dream
start to the night as Pte Shamim Khan
(RLC) fought his way to a 12-9 win over
Tom Payne, of the US Naval Academy.
I could have done a bit better and
should have pushed myself harder in the
rst and second, instead of just trying to
work him out, he told SoldierSport.
We were matched exactly right and it
was like winning twice really because of
the venue to be able to ght at the Royal
Albert Hall was such a privilege.
It was the rst time Id boxed in front
of my family and it was great to remain
undefeated for the Army.
Q A SUBLIME display from Spr Marc
Truslove (RE) saw the 75kg star inict
three counts on his American rival LCpl
Felix Magallenez.
Ive never had three knockdowns in
a ght before and I dont think it was
because I was better than my opponent,
he explained.
He kept dropping his left hand and I
took my chances. Once I caught him the
rst time I knew the openings would come
again and I acted on it.
When he went down it was crazy the
place erupted with people on their feet, it
was just amazing.
On side: Preston manager Phil Brown has spoken of his admiration for the UKs Armed Forces following a three-day exercise with the Royal Marines
Interview: Richard Long
W
ITH England legend Sir Tom
Finney leading the line, Preston
North End were rightly ranked
among the powerhouses of the domestic
game in the post-war era.
While the present-day side no longer
occupy such a lofty perch, the man
charged with leading their revival is
hoping some old-fashioned military
discipline will help them reach footballs
promised land once again.
To prepare for the challenges of life
in League One, manager Phil Brown
took his squad on a three-day exercise
with the Royal Marines in Arbroath,
where they swapped the comfort of the
training ground for night manoeuvres
and a spot of sentry duty.
It was a fantastic success story and
we really got involved in the psyche of
life on operations, he told SoldierSport.
Okay we were in the relative safety of
Arbroath, but these guys were preparing
to deploy to Helmand province. We
loved every minute of it.
The precision training, inner belief,
teamwork and togetherness of UK
Servicemen became quite apparent to
us while we were there and we have put
a lot of that into practice.
As a way of showing their support for
the Armed Forces, Preston North End
will be among 13 Football League clubs
offering personnel free admission to
games throughout November as part of
the ongoing Ticket for Troops initiative.
I would like to see
as many people here as
possible so they can look at
the military-style discipline
we have in the team at the
moment, Brown said.
We always try to
entertain and play a cross
between good attacking football and
winning football.
It is important to get the result but if
we play the right way and put bums on
seats we will see people coming back,
that includes military personnel.
Brown is probably best remembered
for his spell at Hull City, where he
guided the Humberside club to the
dizzy heights of the Premier League.
While Preston currently sit just
outside the League One play-off spots,
the 52-year-old still harbours a return
to English footballs elite level.
You always want to be at the top and
I want to take myself and Preston to the
Premier League, he explained.
A number of managers have nearly
got there with this club and I want to
be remembered as the one who actually
managed to achieve it.
There is a lot of
hard work to do and we
need to make it to the
Championship first, but we
are in a good place.
Our goal is to be in pole
position at the end of the
season, if we get promoted
automatically or via the play-offs it is a
job well done.
O Footbal League sponsors npower
have teamed up with Tickets for Troops
to give Servicemen and women the
chance to watch matches for free
throughout November.
As part of the offer, 25 pairs of tickets
will be available for 19 games involving
13 different clubs.
For more information on the matches
visit www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk Q
Browns boys back Britains best
We really got
involved in the
psyche of life
on operations
P
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P
A
Report: Richard Long
A
RMY footballers have reported
back for the new campaign on a
mission to secure silverware and
avenge the heartache of last seasons
trophy drought.
The Reds saw their Inter-Services
hopes cruelly dashed by goal difference
in March, while some indifferent results
saw them relinquish their Southern
Counties Cup title.
But coach WO2 Joe Collins (R
Signals) has been encouraged by his
sides early season form and believes
they are capable of challenging for
honours once more.
A hat-trick from star striker Sig Sam
Agar (R Signals) helped the team to
a 4-2 win over Uxbridge, while the
returning SSgt Glenn Davidson (AGC
(RMP)) fired home a stunning 25-
yard effort on the way to a 2-1 victory
against the Prison Service.
It is early days but we are looking
good, Collins told SoldierSport.
We managed to get seven or eight
new players in for the trials and they all
did very well.
As always, the Inter-Services will
be our main priority. We lost on goal
difference last season so we are hoping
to go one better.
The Royal Air Force are looking
to win their fifth title in a row and
the Royal Navy will be hurting after
suffering two defeats, so it should be an
interesting tournament.
We are also looking for an improved
performance in the Southern Counties
Cup competition.
We rotated the squad last year but
this time round we want to win every
game, so we will field a strong side in
each fixture.
Collins has been delighted to
welcome back a number of key players
such as Davidson and tough-tackling
defender Pte Sam Lake (Para)
following operational commitments and
believes his squad now has real strength
in depth.
We had 27 players available for our
match with the Prison Service, the
coach added.
We have got a lot of experience and
we have a few new lads coming through
as well.
I have also been to watch the
Under-23 team and it looks like they
have five players capable of stepping
up if needed, so it is all looking very
promising for us.
The Army opened their Southern
Counties Cup campaign against
Middlesex as this issue went to press
and face a strong Sussex side at home
on November 16.
They start their Inter-Services
challenge in Aldershot against the Navy
on March 14 and take on the RAF at
Shrewsbury on March 21.
Reports from all this seasons matches
can be found at www.armyfa.com Q
Returning Reds out to rout rivals
On target: The Army continued their encouraging start to the season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Prison Service at Aldershots Military Stadium
Midfield marvel: LCpl Jason Bates (R Signals)
gets on the ball as the Army take firm control
Power play: The Reds showed their strength in
depth as they defeated the Prison Service 2-1
Captain fantastic: SSgt Glenn Davidson (AGC
(RMP)) has made a welcome return to the team
Young guns re warning shots
A
RMY Under-23 coach SSgt Sean
Cochrane (RADC) has set his
sights on Inter-Services glory after
assembling one of his strongest-ever
squads ahead of the new campaign.
More than 40 players attended a
successful trials week in Aldershot and
with the team emerging unbeaten from
three challenging friendly fixtures, the
future of Service football looks to be in
safe hands.
Cochrane had the unenviable task
of cutting 17 hopefuls from his final
group and was clearly impressed with
the talent on show during a rigorous
selection process.
I was very happy with the standard
of players put forward by the corps and
regimental teams this year, the coach
told SoldierSport.
There has been a definite increase
in quality and that has made the
competition for places really tough.
We had 44 players attending the
trials week and I had the difficult job of
releasing 17 of them.
Some will be deploying on
operations but at least 50 per cent were
good enough to retain in the squad.
That highlights the strength in depth
we now have available.
The latest friendly
saw the impressive Reds
cruise to a 4-1 home
triumph over a youthful
Farnborough outfit.
The Army were dealt
an early blow when keeper LCpl Chris
Wing (REME) was dismissed for
hauling down an onrushing attacker.
With the visitors despatching the
resulting spot kick, their hopes of
victory seemed unlikely.
But a back post header from Spr
Jason Perry (RE, pictured left) drew the
hosts level and when the Farnborough
stoppper flapped hopelessly at a
cross shortly after the interval, the
Servicemen took the lead courtesy of
LCpl Matt Bruce-Smith (RGR).
The pace and slick passing of
Cochranes team was simply too strong
for their opponents, who struggled for
long periods and failed to make their
numerical adavantage pay dividends.
Poor marking allowed defender
LCpl Gareth Greenfield (RE) to
power home a header from a corner
and Spr Simba Green (RE) completed
the rout with a simple tap in following
further indecision from the keeper.
It was a very good performance,
especially when you consider we were
playing against a team of full-time
professionals, the coach said.
They had a number of youngsters
in the side but there were a few older
heads in there as well, so it was a good
test for us.
We also drew 1-1 with the
Sandhurst Devils and we beat the
Aldershot Town Under-18s 2-1.
These matches gave us the
opportunity to look at all 44 squad
members, with different teams starting
in each half.
This season is about the
development of future players, but we
still want to win the Inter-Services title.
We were disappointed to miss out
on goal difference last year and we want
to make sure we win both games this
time round so that is not a factor.
This is the strongest squad I have
ever had, not just in terms of individuals
but with the depth we have.
Several players have come in and
caught the eye and we now have real
quality throughout.
Cochrane is also keen to continue the
transition from the Under-23s to the
senior Army side and was pleased to
report that two members of last years
squad have made a successful move up
the ranks.
The Reds travel to Cosford to play
their Inter-Services opener against the
Royal Air Force on February 14 and
host the Royal Navy on February 28.
They faced AFC Wimbledon as this
issue went to press. Q
Wing wizard: Cfn Gavin Meacham (REME) jinks his way through the lacklustre Farnborough defence
T
HE Armys surf kayaking team has
started a search for fresh talent
in a bid to break the dominance
enjoyed by the Royal Air Force in the
sports Inter-Services competition.
A sensational showing on the Devon
coastline saw the airmen complete a
clean sweep in two of the four categories
as they finished more than 60 points
clear of their nearest rivals in what was
another triumphant year.
Ladies champion Maj Christina
Elesmore (Int Corps), LCpl Jenny
Meenaghan (RLC) and WO2 Daz
Freestone (REME) all produced
encouraging performances for the
Army and team secretary Maj David
Woodford (RLC) believes new blood is
needed to build on their success.
We want more people to come and
join us, he told SoldierSport. We have
come to a bit of a hiatus now as a lot of
the better Army paddlers have either left
the military or moved on.
The RAF has guys who do this
day in, day out they are almost
professionals. We want some young
soldiers to come along and have a go.
It is a fairly specialist sport as you
can only compete at sea and it can be
quite difficult initially. You have to be
reasonably good at kayaking but even
novices can have an exciting time.
We always run coaching sessions
alongside the competitions
and it is a lot more social
compared to some of the
other canoeing events.
We hold the Army
championships at the
beginning of the year and
that leads into the civilian
circuit, where there are opportunities to
develop further.
The British team is very successful
and if you are good enough you can get
to that level quite quickly.
The RAF secured all three podium
places in the international and high
performance categories before Elesmore
broke their stranglehold by winning
the ladies event ahead of teammate
Meenaghan, who was third.
Freestone also finished third in the
mens waveski discipline.
We were second overall, which
is okay, and we have to be realistic,
Woodford explained.
The competition is pretty much a
two-horse race between ourselves and
the RAF as the Royal Navy struggle to
get people turning up.
We were outclassed in two events
and were a long way
behind. But in the ladies
competition we had three
out of the four paddlers
in the final, which is just
unheard of and was a
great result for us.
At least a third of
our team were new faces. One of the
women was a complete novice, another
was a slalom paddler who came along
and reached the final. She really
enjoyed it and will be back again next
year, which is encouraging to see.
The next event on the surf kayaking
calendar is the Army championships,
which are aimed at getting newcomers
on the water and will be held at
Saunton Sands from April 25 to 29.
Anyone interested in joining should
call Maj Woodford on 94371 5968. Q
We want some
young soldiers
to come along
and have a go
Kayak kings make waves

Surf stars tackle Inter-Services challenge as quest to recruit new talent continues
T
HE Army modern pentathlon
team locked horns with students
from Oxford and Cambridge
Universities in a three-pronged
tournament to mark the start of the
sports Olympic centenary.
Set in the grounds of the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst, the
event saw Cpl Bev Bevan (40 Regt,
RA) crowned Army mens individual
champion, with OCdt Zoe Rutterford
(Cambridge UOTC) taking the
womens title.
Athletes from 11 Training Regiment,
REME celebrated team success.
Modern pentathlon is a one-day
event that comprises five challenging
disciplines fencing, swimming, riding,
running and shooting.
The Army has a proud tradition in
the sport and a number of soldiers have
produced medal-winning performances
at Olympic level.
Jim Fox won team gold at the 1976
Montreal Games and Dominic Mahony
(now a Team GB coach) and Peter Hart
won silver in Seoul in 1988.
In total, the Service has produced
more than 30 athletes who have
represented their country.
As part of the centenary celebrations,
Chief of the General Staff Gen Sir Peter
Wall, a former Great Britain junior
international, hosted a reception at
Sandhurst, which was attended by a
number of the sports top names. Q
Army lead centenary charge
In the saddle: Service athletes competed with student teams from Oxford and Cambridge Universities
SPORT SHORTS
QA WAR of the Roses boxing night is
being held at Boltons Reebok Stadium
this month to raise money for ABF The
Soldiers Charity.
The nine-bout clash will see ghters
from The Duke of Lancasters Regiment
take on a Gloves of Bolton team fronted
by Amir Khan on November 18.
The black-tie event, which is being
staged at the grounds De Vere Hotel,
also features a drums display, three-
course dinner and auction.
To book a table, individual tickets
or discuss sponsorship opportunities
contact organiser WO1 Danny Coltman
on 01772 260642 or via the email
address daniel.coltman455@mod.uk
Q SCOTTISH Third Division outt East
Stirlingshire are offering free entry to Armed
Forces personnel for their home matches at
Ochilview Park.
Any Serviceman or woman producing
their ID card will enter the football ground for
nothing, as will ex-military members displaying
a veterans badge.
Club director Tony Ford, a former Royal Navy
ofcer, said: It may seem like a small gesture
but having served for more than 30 years
myself, and seeing it rst hand, I think anything
we can do to honour the dedication and bravery
of our Forces is important.
For more information visit the clubs website
at www.eaststirlingshirefc.co.uk
Q SUPER-t soldiers from the Royal
Signals were put through their paces at
Cannock Chase in the annual Lanyard
Trophy competition.
The event challenged groups of ten to
complete a gruelling 40-mile trek in the
quickest time possible while carrying
40lbs in weight.
A total of 42 teams entered the contest
with 216 (Para) Sig Sqn winning the
Regular Army race in an energy-sapping
time of 8hrs 55mins.
The veterans contest was won by 18
(UKSF) Sig Regt, personnel from 11 Sig
Regt lifted the womens title and 3 (UK)
Div HQ and Sig Regt A Team were the
Saxony Trophy champions.
ARMY athletes reigned supreme at the
Combined Services Powerlifting and
Single Lift Championships.
The mens team were in unstoppable
form at RAF Wittering as they won
three out of the four best lifter awards.
Cpl Ollie Hardy (REME) set a
new Army record in the full power
discipline, while CSgt Steve Cook
(R Welsh), Capt Neil Thomas (AGC
(SPS)) and Cpl Steve Baldock (RE,
pictured) dominated the single
lift events to help their side to a
commanding 80-point victory over the
Royal Air Force, with the Royal Navy
finishing third.
Sgt Aaron Hull (R Signals) also set
a new Combined Services bench press
record in the 100kg class.
Spirited performances from Capt
Arianne Kidd (RLC), Sgt Helen
Jones and Sgt Debs Everson (both
AGC (SPS)) helped the women to the
runners-up spot behind the RAF.
Jones took all three best single lift
trophies and the impressive Everson
broke the Army and Combined
Services records in her weight class. Q
Strongmen overpower Forces rivals
P
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SPORT SHORTS
Q JUDO sensation Tpr Emmanuel Nartey
(1 RTR) has continued his fine form on
the mat by claiming a silver medal at the
British World Cup event.
The 73kg fighter, who is hoping to
compete at next years London Olympics,
was in action in Abu Dhabi as this issue
went to press and will compete at the
Rotterdam Grand Prix later this month.
A silver medal was a great
achievement for me, especially as I
was fighting at home, Nartey told
SoldierSport after his latest success.
I was in good shape following my
performance at the World Championships
and I knew I could either win the
tournament or get a medal.
I now need to keep fighting hard and I
must not get carried away.
Q THE grandstand setting of the Millenium
Stadium in Cardiff welcomed the pride of Wales
to its hallowed turf for a repeat performance of
this year's Army Rugby Union Premiership final.
A crowd of nearly 1,500 people watched
1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards take on their
rivals from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh in a
clash that raised more than 3,000 for ABF The
Soldiers Charity.
Players from 2 R Welsh gained revenge for
their final loss with a 19-12 victory.
Q THE Combined Services Rugby Union
team returns to action this month against
a Gloucester Presidents XV in their
annual autumn fixture.
A host of past and present Gloucester
players will be involved in the match
at Kingsholm on November 8, while a
number of stars involved in the Rugby
World Cup have also shown an interest.
Proceeds from the day will be donated
to The Royal British Legion and kick-off
is at 1945.
The Combined Services womens team
play the British Police at the home of
Cheltenham Tigers at 1600.
For more information and tickets visit
www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk
Q THE new Army Rugby Union corps season
enjoyed a spectacular start with a thrilling
tournament in Aldershot.
More than 480 players took to the field as
17 teams locked horns in the event, which saw
the Royal Engineers triumph in the league one
mens final courtesy of a 33-3 victory over the
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
The Intelligence Corps defeated the Adjutant
Generals Corps 17-10 in the tens final, while
the Royal Logistic Corps beat the Army Medical
Services in the womens final.
Q BOXERS from 2nd Battalion, The
Parachute Regiment have received
3,000 worth of new kit courtesy of
Olympic referee Billy Phillips and
Basildon-based Essex Auto Group.
The donation includes punch bags,
gloves and head guards and will be used
in this years Army boxing competition.
Pictures: LCpl Mark Doran
A
FIRST-half try blitz against their
Australian opponents steered the
Army to an historic win in the
nal of the inaugural International
Defence Rugby Competition.
The Reds ran in six tries in the
opening period to leave their shell-
shocked rivals trailing 42-7 at the
interval, and with the
points continuing to
flow in the second
half they cantered
to a deserved 62-17
winning margin.
The performance
was in stark contrast
to their semi-final
struggles against the Tongan Defence
Services, where the below-par team was
just seconds away from a heartbreaking
tournament elimination.
LCpl Gerhard Wessels (RE) saved
the day with a 79th minute score and
with player-of-the-tournament Cpl
Ceri Cummings (REME) kicking the
extras, the Army fought their way to an
unlikely 15-10 triumph.
Coach Capt Andy Sanger (RE)
was thrilled with the turnaround after
such a disappointing showing and, on
seeing his side lift the trophy, praised
the positive attitude and determination
within his squad.
The game against Tonga was very
tough and physically demanding, he
told SoldierSport.
We had to pick ourselves up and to
put in a performance
like that just three days
after the semi-final was
top class.
Every man stepped
up to the plate. My
skipper Sgt Darrel
Ball (RE) led from the
front, Capt Mark Lee
(AGC (ALS)) and LCpl Chris Budgen
(2 R Welsh) were at their best and the
back line was just superb.
It was a complete team
performance, Ceri Cummings has
come of age and he totally deserved his
player of the tournament award.
We have an inner belief in our
ability. We have worked very hard over
Driving force: LBdr Ifereimi Boladau (RA) res the British Army forward against their French adversaries
Reds rule the world
We have an inner
belief in our ability.
We worked very hard
and maintained strict
levels of discipline
Rugby stars hit top gear to oor international rivals

ARMYS ADVANCE TO AUSTRALIAN FINAL
Q A last-minute try from LCpl Gerhard
Wessels (RE) saw the Army grab victory
from the jaws of defeat in their semi-nal
clash with the Tongan Defence Services.
The centre smashed his way to the line
in the dying seconds and with Cpl Ceri
Cummings (REME) kicking the extras the
squad was able to celebrate a famous
15-10 triumph.
Prop LCpl Chris Budgen (2 R Welsh,
pictured) scored the Reds opening try
before Wessels late intervention saw the
Tongans eliminated from the tournament.
Q The Army started the competition with
a 33-10 victory over the Samoan Police
Force at Vikings Park in Canberra.
After a cagey opening, ying winger
Spr Gus Qasevakatini (RE) crossed for
an unconverted try before the Pacic
Islanders hit back.
Lock Sgt Dave Bates (R Signals)
restored the lead when he charged home
from the 22-yard line and further tries
from LBdr Ifereimi Boladau (RA), Capt
Mark Lee (AGC (ALS)) and LCpl Peceli
Nacamavuto (RE) sealed the points.
Q A rst-half onslaught from the ruthless
Reds pushed the French Defence Forces
rmly on the back foot in the teams
second pool game.
Pte James Read (2 R Welsh) bundled
over from close range and winger
LBdr Sam Speight (RA) maintained the
pressure by bagging a brace in the space
of 14 minutes as the Army opened a
24-point lead.
A quiet second period saw LCpl Malakai
Magnus (RLC) add his name to the
scorers as the side posted a 36-11 win.
the last four weeks with little time off,
and have maintained strict levels of
discipline at all times.
You need that to win; we knew we
didnt play to our potential against
Tonga and we knew Australia were
going to be difficult opponents.
We had high expectations ahead
of the tournament and the players
have been extremely professional, that
includes the off-field staff as well.
We have all worked
hard to successfully
achieve our goals.
I am absolutely
delighted with the way
we have performed in
this competition.
The event was
staged in the shadows
of the main Rugby World Cup and
saw the Reds play two pool matches
in Australia, before travelling to New
Zealand for the latter stages.
They cruised past the Samoan Police
Force and French Defence Forces to
top their group and set up a semi-final
clash with Tonga.
An early penalty from Cummings
opened the scoring and when Budgen
collected the ball from a line-out and
crashed over, the Army looked destined
for another comfortable win.
But the Tongans were a transformed
side in the second period and forced
their opponents onto the back foot for
long periods.
Their near-constant pressure saw
them forge a narrow 10-8 lead and
with the clock ticking down it seemed
as though a place in the final was theirs
for the taking.
But a late intervention from Wessels,
who was still serving in Afghanistan ten
days before the match, broke Tongan
hearts and ensured the Army lived to
fight another day.
The Reds started the final in
determined mood and experienced
prop Budgen fired his side forward at
every opportunity.
Centre LCpl Peceli Nacamavuto
(RE), who helped the Army retain their
Inter-Services Rugby League crown
on the eve of the
tournament, crossed
for two tries and the
outstanding LBdr
Ifereimi Boladau (RA)
also thundered his way
to the line.
Pte Jack Prasad (1
Scots, pictured right)
controlled the match from his familiar
fly half berth and Ball capped a superb
captains performance with a score of
his own.
Former Scotland sevens skipper Lee
created mayhem on the openside and
rightly lifted the man-of-the-match
award at full time.
Sanger added: This has been a hard
road. We started a long march into the
unknown back in July but we never lost
our focus.
The boys picked up the mood of the
World Cup and hit the detonator in the
final. We thought and played as a team
to score nine tries and 62 points against
a very good Australian team.
It has been a great experience. Like
any new competition there are always
things you can improve but to get
teams from the UK, South Seas, China
and the Antipodes all together has been
a tremendous achievement. Q
The boys picked up
on the mood of the
World Cup and hit
the detonator against
Australia in the nal

nal
word
Cpl Liam Donovan (5 Rifles)
Maj Tim Farthing (AGC (ETS))
Cpl Nicholas Coleman (5 Rifles)
Cfn Ryan Moore (REME) Cpl Richard Clements (5 Rifles)
Spr Gavin Hill (RE)
SSgt Jamie Williams (RE)
Cpl Chris Bowditch (RE)
So far this package has been good.
Since arriving here it has been hard
to get used to the heat but once we
acclimatise it should be okay. You
learn quite a lot. Things have changed
since training back in the UK but this is
better because it is the proper terrain
we will be working on. I thought Id be
scared about going out on the ground
but at the minute I am alright.
The package is pretty outstanding.
It is quite tiring but having forward
operating bases built for you and
people acting as locals is, I think, leaps
and bounds better than our training
before the replica Afghan village was
created. Every time we do an exercise
here we are improving ourselves. A lot
of the guys are just itching to go out
and do the job for real now.
This is the third time I have gone
through the training package but this
one is much better. Last time I did it the
replica Afghan village was not here. The
counter-IED stand was very minimal
too it was just one shelter but
now we have more and spend a whole
day on it. I think the medical stand is
more realistic and the model forward
operating base is very good too.
INTERVIEWS: TRISTAN KELLY
PICTURES: STEVE DOCK
I have been away from the company on
courses and was feeling that perhaps
I hadnt done as much training as I
could. When you get here that is soon
swept up and you are back up to speed.
Im on day three now and am fairly
confident of my skills and drills. The
training is up to date and very good. It
gives me faith in my guys knowing that
they have gone through this.
We asked recent arrivals
at Camp Bastion how well
their reception, staging and
onward integration training
was preparing them for
deploying forward
Compared to other reception, staging
and onward integration packages I have
done, this has been brilliant. Training
back in the UK is a good start but when
you come out here you actually get your
hands on the kit properly and it is all
set up perfectly. You know what type of
ground cover and terrain there will be
and we are actually getting to use the
equipment on that land.
Force development and training
command personnel have injected a lot
of contemporary elements into what we
do. From new private soldiers to majors
and guys that have been in for years,
we have all been impressed with the
way things have been run here. Every
single person, no matter what role they
are going on to, will now be able to act
as an infantry soldier at a basic level.
The training has been very interesting
when it comes to improvised explosive
devices and learning how they are
made. It has also been good to go
through information about the Vallon as
I hadnt really done that stuff before. We
are seeing all the new types of kit that
are in theatre and how to use it so that
gives me more confidence in myself
and going out on patrol.
It has been quite good. We visited the
hospital and it was interesting to see
that patients get proper facilities and
care. Training in the UK is sound but
unfortunately I missed parts of the
build-up so it is good that we have this
to sweep up those elements. You cover
a lot of realities here so things shouldnt
shock us when we get outside the area
of Camp Bastion.

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MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH ARMY

NOVEMBER 2011 3.50

Kayak kings make waves

Rugby stars hit top gear to oor international rivals

98 NOVEMBER 2011 www.soldiermagazine.co.uk

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