From Soldier to Civilian
During my time in 22 Battery I took a range of courses. I trained on the drone launchers and travelled to Dortmund in Germany for the course. I completed a surveyor’s course at the Royal School of Artillery, which was within walking distance of my room in Roberts Barracks at Larkhill. I also learned to develop the film from the drone cameras. Later I was made a Command Post Assistant, learning to take weather readings and handle all other aspects of the command unit. It was a fantastic period in the battery. Our annual training camp took place on the ranges at the Sennelager Training Area near Paderborn.
I saw the introduction of the BAE Systems Phoenix, which looked far closer to the drones we see today, unlike the earlier Midge drone that looked more like a missile. Both systems were launched from the back of specialised trucks.
After a tour in Northern Ireland I left the forces and went home to Scotland for a few months, before taking an extended holiday in South Africa.