February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:12 Page 10
O
n a wet and windy Sunday, Elvis tribute
18 members of the military with his
staff from the National Search Centre “jelly-legs”!
(NSC) in Kent set off on Ex Jersey Strike The
1, the first week of a two week adventur- Wednesday
ous training package set in Jersey. Cpls was split
Si Allum, “Dinger” Bell and Billy Ford between two
drove the merry band through three hours activities; the
of thunder and showers to arrive at the first of which
ferry port in Poole on time and with was a visit to
everybody sober. This pleased WO1 the Jersey War
(SMI) Tony Davies, especially due to his Tunnels. This
earlier concerns that we would be late for museum
the ferry because of the speed restrictions proved to be
on the minibuses. Or was that his map an extremely
reading? On arrival at St Helier, the cap- interesting
ital of Jersey, we were met by WO2 insight into
(QMSI) Phil Johnys who led us to the TA how the
centre at Fort Bingham for a hot meal of islanders lived
roast lamb and a brief about the week’s under Nazi
events. Fed and informed we headed occupation. In
down into town to see what the local addition we
businesses were like. were taken by
Over Monday and Tuesday we split our local
into groups, which rotated between guide, Martin
trekking and biking with some surfing Garnier, to a
thrown in. The trek (exotic word for German gun
walking) was on a predominantly cliff top emplacement
path which gave spectacular views of the which has
Islands of Sark and Guernsey on a clear been restored
day. The route ran west to east along the by the Jersey
north coast, passing several German WW2 Occupation
defences including gun batteries and Society.
Ex J
observation towers. We set a good pace Martin has
and due to the sunny skies arrived, back been instru-
hot, sweaty and weary. Thankfully our mental in the
Chef, Sgt Kev Kearney, Catering Support restoration of
Regiment RLC, was on the ball and had a many such
hearty meal waiting for us each night. sites, using his
The biking route encompassed on background in mechanical engineering to Cpl Bell was one of many who found the
and off road terrain over a 12 mile repair the weapons and machinery left by waves a tad tricky and once in the sea
course. Our destination was the “Surf the Germans. He was a font of knowledge, was smashed into the cliff face before
Shack” where surfboards were waiting happily recounting tales ranging from his being dragged across some barnacle-
with our Aussie instructor. On arrival childhood experiences during the occupa- encrusted rocks. That evening, as
we all donned the “surf dude” wetsuits, tion to the mammoth task of recovering Capt Rory Clarke and Sgt Paul
which looked the part but did not help us the German guns back to the top of the Inverarity gave the Jersey TA Sqn a
to surf. As our instructor starkly cliffs from where they had been pushed presentation on the role of the NSC and
informed WO2 Phil Robinson (as he into the sea after the war. a search update for Ops Telic and
floundered in 2” of water!) “Your problem The other activity of the day was Herrick, the Coastal Steering survivors
is simple mate - you’re too old and Coastal Steering, which is where you had a few drinks in the bar to nurse their
inflexible”. Not the best qualities for a dress up in trainers and a wetsuit before wounds with the medicinal alcohol.
surfer. Once out of the water and dry jumping off rocks into the sea! A lot of The last day of activity came, divided
again, we set off on the return cycle, led people were unsure about doing this, but between a British Sub Aqua Club try
by our instructor SSgt Steve “Stand-Up” after meeting the instructor, Flt Lt dive and sea kayaking. Both events were
Boylan up the steepest and longest hill Leighton Jenkins, from the local Air outstanding fun, with the sea kayaking
on the island. When we finally reached Training Corps, we set out with some adding to the casualties. The prime vic-
the top Cpl Billy Ford treated us all to an confidence. As the rocks got higher, tim was Capt “Tomo” Tomlinson who
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