The Sandbag Times Issue No: 47

The Veterans’ Magazine Issue 47 | September 2018 

CRY OUT LOUD, 

LAUGH LOUDER! 

Soldier On, Jonathan 

Lewis' theatrical band of 

brothers and sisters is on 

parade this autumn 

SBT News Update 

Plus all The Latest National & 

International News from the 

Armed Forces & Veterans’ World 

Proud Sponsors of 

The Veterans Awards 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 

Supporting #OP-WAMITS

CONTENTS 

SBT News 

4 Waterboarding Claims 

Investigation underway at 

RMA Sandhurst 

5 Ex RAF Officer Dies 

Accident in Italy claims life 

of climber 

5 US Pilot Killed in Crash 

Helicopter crash in Iraq 

claims life and injurs others 

6 Grandfather builds F35 

Simulator in shed 

Man builds very first 

simulator for iconic jet 

Features 

9 Ask Kerry 

Brand new advice on CV 

and Careers 

15 Rewind Technique 

Dr David Muss Takes Us 

Through His PTSD 

Recovery Treatment 

22 Soldier On 

Hit show hits London 

Theatre 

The Invictus Games 2018 

All The Latest From Down Under In The Run Up 

To This Years Games. Page 30 

Regular 

12 Historic Tommy Atkins 

Shackleton Barracks 

27 Have Faith 

Stones... 

38 SBT Information 

A page dedicated to back 

issues, information, book 

reviews etc0 

40 Mrs Fox Goes To War 

All the latest gossip and 

letters from Little Hope 

The Veterans’ Magazine Issue 47 | September 2018 


CRY OUT LOUD, 

LAUGH LOUDER! 

Soldier On, Jonathan 

Lewis' theatrical band of 

brothers and sisters is on 

parade this autumn 

SBT News Update 

Plus all The Latest National & 

International News from the 

Armed Forces & Veterans’ World 


The Veterans Awards 


Supporting #OP-WAMITS 

Issue 47 

Editor: Pablo Snow 

Magazine Manager: Matt Jarvis 

Patron: Matt Neal 

Honourary Patron: 

Jacqueline Hurley 

Additional editors: 

Albert ‘Robbie’ McRobb 

Jane Shields 

Peter Macey 

Mike Woods 

News Media Manager 

Jim Wilde 

Recording Engineer and PR 

Manager 

Vince Ballard 

Email: info@sandbagtimes.com 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

NEWS 

THE VETERANS’ MAGAZINE 

SBT NEWS September Edition info@sandbagtimes.com 

Investigation over 'waterboarding' at 

Sandhurst Military Academy Claims 

By Bracknell News 

MILITARY police are investigating claims 

two officer cadets "waterboarded" a fellow 

recruit at Sandhurst academy. 

Brigadier Bill Wright, commander of the 

Berkshire military college, ordered the 

probe into the alleged incident on August 

7. A cadet was allegedly pinned down 

before water was poured over a cloth covering 

his face, according to The Sun. Both 

Prince William and Prince Harry attended 

Sandhurst, where all officers in the British 

Army are trained. Brig Wright said: "I am 

aware of allegations about an incident at 

the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 

August 7 involving some of our officer 

cadets. "I have ordered an investigation by 

the Royal Military Police. "The Army and I 

expect the highest standards of behaviour 

at Sandhurst; anyone found to have fallen 

short is dealt with robustly. 

GET HELP NOW: Rewind @ Tommy Atkins Centre 

tommyatkins@sandbagtimes.com 

| 4 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

NEWS 



By BBC News 

Ex-RAF officer killed descending mountain in Italy 

A former RAF officer has 

died in a fall while 

descending a mountain in 

Italy. Ian Atkins, who was 

known as Ted, is thought 

to have slipped on Civetta, 

in the Dolomites, on 

Monday. Mr Atkins, who 

grew up in 

Nottinghamshire, had 

climbed the peak with his 

friend Nev Taylor. His 

friend David Whalley said 

the 59-year-old was an 

experienced climber who 

had scaled mountains 

around the world, including 

Everest and the north face 

of the Eiger. Mr Whalley 

said: "He was an incredible 

guy. He was eccentric, 

funny and a pioneer. We 

have lost a good man." He 

added Mr Atkins had 

invented a "revolutionary" 

breathing system for oxygen 

masks at altitude. 

"They used to put a mask 

on the face when using 

oxygen but it can block 

vision. He made it easier 

by making a nasal entry. 

"He did an awful lot of 

good all over the world and 

we are thinking of his family. 

"To be a free spirit in 

the military is quite amazing. 

Ted was a free spirit - 

that is why he achieved so 

much." Mr Whalley said 

Mr Atkins, who was born in 

Newcastle, had left the military 

but had recently been 

working half the year in the 

Himalayas, running his 

own business Topout 

Oxygen Ltd. He had been 

living in Alleghe, Italy, with 

his wife Shona and son 

Lewis. The funeral will be 

private and held in Italy. 

US Pilot Killed in Crash in Iraq 

The fallen service member’s 

details are being withheld, 

with further details 

regarding the incident the 

responsibility of “pertinent 

national authorities,” 

according to OIR.A 

coalition service member 

fighting as part of the U.S.- 

led campaign against ISIS in 

Iraq and Syria was killed 

and several others injured 

when their aircraft crashed 

in Iraq, Operation Inherent 

Resolve announced on 

Monday. 

The crash, which occurred 

around 10 p.m. on Sunday, 

occurred during a “partnered 

counterterrorism mission” in 

support of OIR, the coalition 

announced. There were no 

indications of enemy fire, per 

OIR, suggesting that the crash 

was likely an aviation mishap 

resulting from a mechanical 

malfunction rather than a 

combat engagement. 

Newsweek reports that the 

aircraft involved was an MH- 

60 Black Hawk, with 10 U.S. 

military personnel from the 

160th Special Operations 

Aviation Regiment on board. 

Business Insider 

Express & Star 

Mercian Regiment to Train Afghan Security Forces 

More than 100 soldiers from 

the Mercian Regiment are to 

be deployed to Afghanistan 

to join an operation training 

local security forces. 

Troops from the 2nd Battalion 

will be sent out to the capital 

Kabul later this year in a noncombat 

capacity and have been 

training in Cyprus ahead of the 

mission. The 110 soldiers 

from Dragon Company will 

play a crucial role supporting 

the 1st Battalion The Welsh 

Guards protecting Nato 

advisors and members who are 

assisting the Afghan National 

Defence and security forces. 

They will spend 10 weeks 

supporting Operation Toral, 

the British contribution to 

Nato's Resolute Support 

mission in Afghanistan, in the 

autumn. It will be the first time 

in five years the regiment has 

had a collective presence in 

Afghanistan, the scene of so 

much bloodshed in the decade 

following 9/11. The soldiers 

will work with the Welsh 

Guards to form part of the 

Kabul Security Force, 

providing protection and 

secure transport for UK and 

coalition mentors. More here 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 5 |

NEWS 



A FORMER 

Gurkha who 

was reduced 

to sleeping on 

a mattress on 

a bedroom 

floor has 

been helped 

out by a 

housing 

provider. 

Former 

Gurkha 

Gajurman Rai, 

74, joined the 

British Army 

in 1961 and 

fought for the 

country for 

nine years. 

Thanks to the 

national 

campaign 

highlighting 

the plight of 

the Gurkhas, 

headed and 

supported by 

actor Joanna 

Lumley, Mr 

Rai won the 

right to live in 

the UK, but 

he is not 

entitled to an 

Army 

pension. Mr 

Rai and his 

wife, Dhan 

Kumari, have 

lived in rented 

A NEW Memorial has been 

unveiled during an emotive 

30th anniversary service for 

eight soldiers murdered in the 

Ballygawley bus bombing. 

Relatives of the dead and 

survivors of the bombing laid 

wreaths and poppy crosses while 

the British Legion provided 

standard bearers and a lone piper 

played. Another 28 were injured 

after the IRA detonated a roadside 

200-pound Semtex bomb as the 

bus travelled between 

Ballygawley and Omagh after 

midnight on 20th August 1988. 

The unmarked bus, which was 

full of soldiers when the attack 

happened, was thrown along the 

road by the explosion. Members 

of the Light Infantry had been 

returning from the airport to their 

base near Omagh when the bomb 

was detonated, killing eight 

soldiers, all aged between 18-21. 

accommodatio 

n in Catterick 

Garrison since 

1997. The 

couple’s story 

was 

highlighted by 

charity 

Community 

First 

Yorkshire who 

contacted 

Yorkshire 

Housing’s 

Swale home 

improvement 

agency who 

rehomed the 

pair in 

Catterick 

Garrison. 

Memorial unveiled to mark 30th 

anniversary Ballygawley bus bomb 

Housing provider swoops in to help Gurkha veteran 

By Northern Echo 

At the memorial service on 

Sunday, Reverend Alan Irwin led 

the congregation in prayer and a 

new memorial was unveiled, 

which includes interpretative 

panels explaining what happened 

that night. Hundreds of veterans, 

as well as relatives of those killed 

and the civilians and some of the 

first responders and medical staff 

who treated the wounded attended 

the service. During Sunday's 

service Susan Greener, whose 

brother Richard Greener was 

among those killed, laid a poppy 

wreath on behalf of the Regiment. 

The dead were Jason Burfitt (19), 

Richard Greener (21), Mark 

Morsworthy (18), Stephen 

Wilkinson (18), Jason Winter 

(19), Blair Bishop (19), 

Alexander Lewis (18) and Peter 

Bullock (21). All had been 

returning to Tyrone to complete 

six months of a two-year tour. 

Story by Tyronne Courier 

GET HELP NOW: Text Combat Stress 

07537 404719 


A GRANDFATHER has spent more than 

£30,000 building a home-made F-35B 

lightning fighter jet simulator - in his garden 

SHED. Kenneth Mockford, 54, shut 

himself away "from dawn until dusk" to 

construct the replica aircraft from hundreds 

of tiny pieces. 

He put it together by googling photos of 

the military fighter jet, which are currently 

being used for training by Royal Air Force 

and Royal Navy pilots. Mr Mockford, who 

stems from a line of RAF veterans built the 

fascinating machine, said: "I spent many 

late nights constructing the F-35 in my 

garden shed then loaded it on a truck and 

moved it to a warehouse for flying. "I started 

the plane with just a fuselage which I 

acquired. "All of the other components 

like the seats, the main instrument panel, 

all the switches and buttons that are in 

there I have made because they are not 

available to buy. "I am a nutty engineer, 

basically. Dimensions were a major issue 

for me when building because nobody is 

going to let me climb on their F-35. "So 

what I do is I research the internet for photographs 

and there are thousands of pilots 

sitting in cockpits. "From what I do from 

that is I scale the mains instrument panel 

of the size of the hands of the pilots that 

are flying in them or sitting in them. "I 

know how big my hand is and I know how 

big their hand is therefore, so I know how 

big the scales are. Mr Mockford, from 

Burwell, Cambidgeshire uses a homemade 

laser cutter and a Computer 

Numerical Controller (CNC) to cut and 

shape all the parts of the simulator. 

"Sizewize I think I have it all pretty close 

NEWS EXTRA 

Grandfather Builds world's first F-35 flight simulator 

By Daily Express 

and the dimensions are about 95% accurate," 

he added. "I began building the F- 

35 in April, but luckily I didn't need to build 

the fuselage had already been built so all 

I had to with that is take it apart and 

rebuild it. "I built the main instrument 

panel from scratch and all the electrical 

switch panels I made as well. 

Read the full story here. 

Are you: 

A Service Veteran? 

Aged 65 or over? 

A family member or carer 

of the above? 

If so, you could bene 昀 t from the 

support of a DMWS Welfare O cer 

We are experts in the provision of Medical Welfare and have supported the 

Armed Forces Community during medical treatment since 1943 

We are here to help, contact your local Welfare O 

cer today: 

A Guide to Medical Welfare Services 

for Health Care Professionals, Organisations 

and Support Workers 

Caring For Those Who Serve – Frontline To Recovery 

www.dmws.org.uk 

Supported by the Aged Veterans Fund 

funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR Funds. 

DMWS Registered Charity number: 

England: 1087210 | Scotland: SCO45460 


SBT NEWSDESK 

SBT NEWSDESK 

With Jim Wilde 

Hi Folks, Another month 

has just zipped by. Is it 

just me, or is it the older I 

get the quicker the days go 

by. It definitely seems that 

way to me, but then again, I am 

old and we'll leave that there. The 

last month has been hectic, frantic, 

traumatic and many other things. The focus 

of many of us is on those that are no longer with 

us, and felt the need to depart this mortal coil for 

Valhalla. I am sure Pablo will have covered the 

plight of our Military and Veterans during this 

epidemic of suicides. 

We all have our own ideas of what should be 

done, and who we think is responsible, and that 

is fine. But we also know that there is no quick 

fix for this unprecedented rise in the loss of our 

brothers. Suggestions that we form up "parade 

like" outside Westminster and shout until we are 

heard, and write to our MP's are, to be fair, knee 

jerk reactions which do not directly address the 

issues we face. If a brother has a history of anxiety 

and mental anguish (PTSD), then it is documented, 

and various steps can be taken to try 

and deal with it. BUT, in many cases, there are 

no warning signals, and all it takes is a life 

event, family issue, financial problems to just tip 

you over the edge. We are all embroiled in our 

own cocoon of life these days, stuck on the 

phone, tablet, Internet, that we just don't see 

what is right in front of us. If we just look up 

from time to time and look around, the evidence 

is there. 

Of course, there are areas of the current system 

that do need a shake up, starting with those 

responsible for the welfare of our serving and 

non serving brothers and sisters. Even writing to 

individuals, your MP etc has not worked. I have 

personally seen 5 communiques to the Defence 

Minister, non of which has been answered by 

him, but farmed out to the Defence Peoples 

Secretariat (who knows what they do) to be 

answered. To top it all, when the reply arrived, it 

was another "cut and paste job from a similar 

response. It wasn't even signed, just pulled off 

the printer and mailed. This contempt and complete 

disregard for the brothers and sisters that 

are this countries first line of defence, is an 

insult. 

Brexit is coming, and to be fair, I really don't care 

a hoot about it or what it brings. My concerns 

are with the impact and effect this drastic and 

unprecedented loss of life will have on the 

Military community, not to mention recruiting. If I 

was a young guy looking to perhaps enlist into 

the Armed Forces, there are two things that 

would definitely make me think again. Firstly, 

the constant persecution of our troops for doing 

their jobs (Northern Ireland), whilst those who 

bombed, maimed, and slaughtered were given 

amnesty. What a travesty. Secondly, the current 

suicide rates. Only yesterday we lost another. I 

would have to ask myself why are these people 

finding it necessary to choose the final option 

and way out when we profess to be a civilised 

country who (allegedly) take care of their own. 

For what its worth, my opinion is, that when 

troops return from an area of combat operations 

or conflict, it is at that point these systems 

should kick in. I am aware that troops are made 

to attend various "debriefs" and "decompression" 

courses, but how many are just paying lip service 

to that, and going through the motions just 

so they can go on leave.....and take all that trauma 

and baggage with them. 

There is no immediate fix, and the plasters that 

we are putting on gaping wounds do nothing to 

address the issue, and in some cases make 

things worse. 

Please feel free to drop us a line here at the 

Sandbagtimes. We would love to hear from 

you, and get your feed back. Sadly, only one 

topic this week, but it's a big topic, and deserves 

its own space. 

Wherever you are, whoever you are with, take 

time out to lift your head and take a look 

around. You never know, there might be a 

brother looking for help. 

Thank you as always for you ongoing support, 

and for keeping the magazine alive. Without 

you it could not happen. 

Jim 

Jim@Sandbagtimes.com 

GET HELP NOW: SSAFA Helpline 

0800 731 4880 


ASK KERRY 

Ask Kerry... 

Let her help you to open doors 

www.opendoortraining.co.uk 

Linkedin: Kerry Dedman BA PGCE 

kerry@sandbagtimes.com 

Kerry’s CV and coaching support for current 

and ex-military is now well known on 

Linkedin. She provides a range of support 

that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual. 

Her reputation as a Coach and 

Mentor is outstanding. For several months 

we have been discussing how her expertise 

could be included in The Sandbag Times. As 

we want our readers to have access to her 

skills, knowledge and expertise in the education, 

recruitment, training and management 

employment sectors. 

This is why in September 2018 we are 

launching a ‘Problem Page’ in The Sandbag 

Times. The premise is simple. Kerry will 

read every email. A selection will be chosen 

to be answered in the ‘Ask Kerry’ section. A 

selection will be chosen to be answered in 

the Magazine. All published information will 

be only be included with the 

permission of the person concerned 

and they will be 

referred to by their initials and 

geographical region, ie ‘RT 

Cheshire.’ 

So ‘Ask Kerry’ if you want 

impartial advice and guidance. 

You may well still be serving, 

just preparing to leave or left 

the Armed Forces several 

years ago. It doesn’t matter, 

everyone gets the same level of service and 

support. 

The published problems and Kerry’s responses 

will be there to provide advice and guidance, 

in a general way. Examples could be: 

If you have a query about how to prepare for 

your first civilian job interview. Or you are not 

sure if you have any transferable skills or 

even as simple a query about what to wear at 

a job interview then help is at hand. 

Let’s use ‘Our Kerry’ – she is very good at 

opening doors! 

GET HELP NOW: Combat Stress 

0800 138 1619 


Bouyed by his victory in the special ‘Diamond 

Double’ race last time out at Snetterton, Neal 

found himself on the back foot going into 

race day after a difficult Saturday that saw the 

team forced to change the engine on his car 

ahead of qualifying. 

Round Seven: Rockingham 

Following Snetterton Success, Rockingham proves to 

be a round to forget 

Halfords Yuasa Racing pair Matt Neal and 

Dan Cammish battled hard on track to secure 

vital championship points on a challenging 

weekend of racing in the Dunlop MSA British 

Touring Car Championship at Rockingham. 

Both drivers showed strong pace on track at 

the wheel of their Honda Civic Type Rs, but 

found themselves unable to push for a place 

on the podium due to the forceful nature of 

racing in the midfield. 

Having got the triple champion out on track, 

Neal qualified just a second away from pole 

position, although the close nature of the grid 

meant he found himself 29th on the grid for 

race one. 

Delayed by an incident at the start, Neal 

fought hard in race one to finish in 18th spot, 

and showed top six pace in both races two 

and three, although plenty of contact in the 

midfield meant he had to settle for 14th and 

15th place finishes. 

Series rookie Cammish came close to securing 

a maiden pole position in qualifying for 

race one, where he picked up a fifth place finish 

despite carrying damage as a legacy of 

contact on the opening lap. 

Rain ahead of the second race created challenging 

conditions on track, with Cammish 

one of those drivers caught out by a damp 

Photo: Jakob Ebrey 


OFF THE GRID 

patch on the circuit as he ran wide at Deene whilst fighting for 

tenth place; an incident that left him instead outside the points 

in 21st spot. 

However, the Yorkshireman fought back well in race three 

despite being on the less favourable hard tyre to end his 

weekend with a second top ten finish. 

The points scored in the final race allowed the Honda teams' 

to top score amongst the manufacturer entries to maintain 

second in the Manufacturers’ Championship whilst Halfords 

Yuasa Racing ends the weekend just two points away from 

the lead of the Teams Championship. 

Neal sits in fifth place in the Drivers' Championship, just 

twelve points off the top three, with Cammish just a point 

away from the top ten. 

Cammish also retains the lead of the Jack Sears Trophy 

standings. 

Matt Neal On Rockingham 

“You can’t hide from the fact that it’s been a tough weekend 

for us and luck hasn’t been on our side. We were really on the 

back foot after qualifying because the margins have been so 

close that we found ourselves towards the rear of the field 

and it was always going to be tough from there. Some of the 

racing in the mid-pack is brutal and I found myself trying to 

look after the car as best I could but have still come away with 

quite a bit of damage. The lap times showed that the Civic 

Type R was a quick car this weekend and to end it with a 

Manufacturers win in race three is a positive. However, it’s 

onwards and upwards from here and we have to focus on the 

next round at Knockhill.” 

Photo: Jakob Ebrey 

Dan Cammish on Rockingham 

“I think character building is a good way to sum the weekend 

up for me. It’s clear to see that we had good pace in the car 

on Saturday and on another day we could have had pole and 

then would have avoided the incident at the start of race one, 

which just unfortunate. The field bunched up and I made contact 

with Sam [Tordoff], which was completely unintentional 

and the last thing I wanted to do. We carried some damage 

after that but managed to bring home some points in fifth 

place but the mixed conditions in race two didn’t favour us 

and I found myself on a damp part of the circuit fighting for 

position and it cost me. I feel I got the best I could from the 

car in race three and P21 to P10 was a good way to end what 

has been a tough meeting where we haven’t been able to 

pick up the results that our pace deserved.” 

Standings: Matt Neal 5th - 176pts Dan Cammish 11th - 129 pts Halfords Yuasa Racing 2nd - 298 pts Honda 2nd - 553pts 

Pabs On Rockingham: Hard Times Come & 

Go, But At Least The Bacon Was Nice... 

If ever I have felt for a team, it was last Sunday watching our 

buddies struggling at Rockingham. It was funny, I kind of 

had a feeling it was going to be a tough weekend after 

watching the qualifying on telly the day before. There was 

very little time between the front and back and although, 

Matt didn’t have the best of it, his time was not shabby at 

all. Such is the fierce competition in this years BTCC. 

But, damn, that boy is quick! Yes, Dan managed to put his 

car on third in Qualies and came home a very respectable 

5th in race 1. Unfortunately Matt was on the back foot from 

the word go with 29th in Qualies. But as I said, his time 

was only a second behind pole. He did improve as the day 

progressed and managed to bring the Honda Civic R - FK8 

to 14th in Race 2 and 15th in Race 3. Not the best of days 

but not the end of the world. The title hunt is still there, Matt 

currently lies in 5th going to Scotland. So, Re-org, as we 

say in the army, look forward and fight on. 

attention on young Ash Suton, who is absolutely flying in 

the Suburu all of a suddon. Hmmm.... 

As for the team, we polished off much bacon rolls and coffee 

from the Breakfast bar which I have to say was very reasonable 

too. Very strange, as I normally have to finance 

trackside burgers with a mortgage but we scoffed up, sat in 

the media centre keeping dry all except Vince who was like 

a kid with a new toy walking around the track taking photos. 

I have to say, you looked very dashing in your green media 

bib mate lol. Ah well, on to Scotland and more victories. 

Photo: Jokob Ebrey 

Knockhill promises to be a great weekend, well suited to 

the Honda. Mind you, I think the pack has now got it’s 


HISTORICAL TOMMY ATKINS 

Shackleton Bks 

The History of the N. Ireland 

RAF & Army Base 

The East-West runway was extended to cross 

the railway line to Londonderry during 1943, 

so the the airfield could employ the Liberator 

to its maximum effect (with as much fuel and 

weapons as possible to provide max range and 

endurance). In September 1943 Liberators 

returned, this time with 86Sqn. They were 

replaced by 120 Sqn in September 1943. 

Along with 120 Sqn more Liberators arrived 

with 59Sqn. 120 Sqn disbanded at Ballykelly 

on 4 June 1945. In late August 281 Sqn 

arrived at the airfield. 59 Sqn moved off the 

airfield in September and 281 Sqn disbanded 

on 24 October. Left without units and a 

mission, Ballykelly was then put on care and 

maintenance. 

In 1947 Ballykelly reopened and became the 

home of the Joint Anti-Submarine School 

(JASS), operating Shackleton MR1 and MR2. 

Five years later it became an operational 

airfield again when 269 Sqn reformed on 10 

March with Shacketons. In June 240 Sqn 

followed. On 1 January 1954 204 Sqn was 

formed at Ballykelly. 240 was renumbered to 

203 Sqn on 1 november 1958, and a month 

later 269 was renumbered 210 Sqn. There was 

also a station flight with two Lockheed 

Hudsons, two Douglas Dakotas and an 

Auster.Ballykelly airfield (also known as RAF 

Ballykelly and Shackleton Barracks, ICAO: 

EGQB)) was an airfield in the north of 

Northern Ireland. 

Work on the airfield began in 1940 and it was 

opened on 1 June 1941 as an RAF station. No 

units were based at the airfield until December 

1941. That month the Coastal Command 

Development Unit arrived at the airfield, but 

they left in June 1942. It remained a Coastal 

Command base however, although now with 

an operational mission. Long range maritime 

patrol Fortress bombers (RAF B-17 bombers) 

of 220 Sqn began using the airfield. On 21 

July 1942 they were followed by 120 Sqn with 

Liberators. Both squadrons (and their 

detachments on Iceland) began their long 

range missions deep into the Atlantic hunting 

for U-boats. Both units moved to RAF 

Aldergrove in February 1943. For a while the 

airfield was used only by visiting Fleet Air 

Arm aircraft while disembarked from carriers. 

The JASS disbanded in March 1957. In 1957 

and again in 1958, 240 Sqn was among the 

units involved in Operation Grapple, nuclear 

weapon testing on Christmas Island in the 

Pacific Ocean. The three squadrons worked 

side by side as part of the ASW (Anti- 

Submarine Warfare) force and covered search 

and rescue (SAR) standby duties. Some Fleet 

Air Arm units (such as 819 Sqn) moved onto 

the station in 1962, with the Royal Navy 

referring to it as HMS Sealion. 

In 1963 the E-W runway was extended a 

second time to enable the V-bomber force to 

use the airfield as a dispersal site. On the 

eastern end's north side of the runway bomber 

dispersals were built immediately to the 

runway. 

During a trans-atlantic yacht race in 1967/8 a 

French competitor was lost. By adopting 

search positions well before the expected 

search location, a Ballykelly Shackleton found 

him. They dropped some life preserving 

equipment and marked his position so he 

could be picked up by surface vessels. A few 

days later President De Gaulle visited 

Ballykelly to personally award medals to 

members of the crew. 

In February 1969 203 Sqn moved to Malta. 

210 Sqn left the base in November 1970 for 

the Persian Gulf. That left 204 Sqn alone at 

the base until its disbandment in March 1971. 

Left without units and a mission again, RAF 

Ballykelly was to be closed and handed over 

to the British Army on 2 June 1972. For a 

while it was used for trails with the then-new 

Nimrods later in 1971, though. 

The handover to the Army did not mean the 

end of flying operations at the station 

however. It did mean a change in name, as the 

Army decided to rename it Shackleton 

Barracks, in honour of the Shackleton units 

that had operated at the airfield for 20 years. 

When the RAF left Ballykelly in 1971 there 

was no further use for the full length of the E- 

W runway. A much shorter runway was 

eventually laid out at about the middle of that 

runway to accommodate visiting Army 

Islander aircraft based at Aldergrove. The 

occasional visiting Hercules used the 

secondary runway (02/20), which had an 

approach over Lough Foyle. Army helicopters 

and Police helicopter also used the airfield 

from time to time. 

On March 29, 2006, an Airbus A320 aircraft 

operated by Eirjet on behalf of Ryanair landed 

at Ballykelly after the pilot mistook the 

runway for that of nearby City of Derry 

Airport. 

The Army pulled out of the airfield in 2008. 

For a while it was still occasionally used by 

visiting army helicopters during exercises. 

In 2010 the former base was sold by the MoD 

to Merrion Property Development, of Dublin, 

which renamed the place as Longview and 

refurbished it as a housing development. 

Most of the base was still intact in 2011 

though, as only the homes in the housing area 

had been sold to private persons. 


BRAND NEW 

Patron to The Tommy Atkins Centre

The Tommy Atkins Centre 

Tommy Atkins Centre September 

Happy to say we’re still 

enjoying some beautiful 

weather here in Worcester. I 

don’t remember a summer 

quite this warm in many a 

year. And It’s quite a 

welcome relief when we 

see the rain occasionally to 

cool it down a little, at least I 

think so. 

We’ve had a fairly busy month 

here, seen many new faces 

coming through the doors. 

Combat Stress have been here most 

weeks holding courses or meetings with 

our veteran community, and it’s wonderful to 

see some happy smiling faces, and hear the 

banter as people come and go. 

It’s also fantastic to have Dr Muss here 

amongst us with his Rewind Technique. I’ve 

already witnessed some remarkable results 

from people using the technique with him, and 

am really hopeful it is the breakthrough it 

appears to be in helping people to cope with 

their own PTSD. I have nothing but praise for 

this approach, and can honestly say from 

first-hand experience that it works. If you’re 

interested in finding out more about it, please 

take a look at the article over the next few 

pages. 

I would like to say to all our veteran 

community, please look out for each other. If 

you haven’t seen or heard from a buddy for a 

few days give them a call, or pop round. If 

you notice they are a bit down then keep a 

close eye on them, let them know you’re there 

for them and don’t give up on them. Tell them 

about places like The Tommy Atkins Centre 

where they can go to for help and advice. 

We’re open every Tuesday and Thursday 

from 0930. Bring them along for a chat , 

we’re here for you all. 

Take care, please call in if you’re passing. 

You’re always most welcome. x 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk/tommyatkinscentre 

Dr David Muss Establishes 

Groundbreaking Treatment at 

the Tommy Atkins Centre 

The Tommy Atkins has prided itself, since it’s opening in 

November 2017, that it has the ability to assist veterans in various 

ways in a rapid but effective way. Psychotherapists have 

volunteered along with people that have just wanted to make a 

difference to our veterans. 

launched by the Tommy Atkins Centre over the next few weeks 

explaining the treatment but any veteran who is in need of 

help is encouraged to give the Tommy Atkins Centre a call, 

book an appointment and get treated. To find out more or to 

book an appointment call 01905 27825 Tuesdays or Thursdays 

Now, the centres has added a jewel in the crown as far as veterans 

treatment is concerned, Dr David Muss is the founder of 

the Rewind Trauma Therapy. A system which has been successfully 

treating PTSD sufferers for years. David’s treatment 

programme is now being introduced to the centre in order to 

ensure veterans can be treated quickly, effectively and for free. 

In short, veterans will no longer have to wait months to be 

seen, nor will they be required to speak about the traumas that 

affect them. Indeed, David prides his thereapy as ‘Closure 

without Disclosure’. Rewind can be effective in only two sessions 

and has a success rate of around 90%. In addition to 

providing free treatment to veterans, David also trains therapists 

around the country in the Rewind technique stating that 

veterans who are treated, are treated for free. 

The following pages include the leaflet which is about to be 

GET HELP NOW: Tommy Atkins Centre 

01905 27825 



Veterans Support 

Worcester 

IARTT 

International Association 

For Rewind Trauma Therapy 

Rewind Trauma Therapy 

For All Veterans

Closure without Disclosure 

THE REWIND THERAPY (RT) HAS BECOME 

INDISPENSABLE TREATMENT FOR PROVID 

It is applicable to survivors trans culturally and 

usually requires no more than two sessions to 

bring about closure for single traumas. The 

results are enduring** - a follow up of two years 

showed no relapses in that period of time. (RT) 

was first introduced into the literature of Post 

Traumatic Stress Disorder by Dr.David Muss 

(founder of this association) back in 1991; ** "A 

new technique for treating Posttraumatic Stress 

DR DAVID MUSS 

Rewind was founded by Dr 

David Muss, : Licentiate 

Memeber of the Society of 

Apothecaries (LMSSA) UK; 

Laurea Medicina e Chirugia 

(University of Rome. Italy). 

David is now bringing 

Rewind to The Tommy 

Atkins Centre, Worcester to 

help veterans with service 

related trauma injuries, 

ensuring they receive effective 

and rapid treatment in 

a comfortable, stress free 

environment. 

"I am so much better since I s 

am surprised at how well the 

Now that you are a veteran do you have PTSD? 

Are you admitting it to yourself? Is your family suffering. 

Drinking to survive? Can’t get back to work? 

Why do you continue like this? 

Is it because you have lost faith in the help (or lack of 

help) provided to date? 

If you haven’t found any real help to give you peace of 

mind it is because treatments so far approved in the 

NHS aim only to help you cope rather than file the traumatic 

recall of events which you have no control over. 

Rewind Trauma Therapy has been in clinical use for 25 

years. 90% of veterans gain sufficient control of their 

mind to return to being loved by their family, return to 

work and become once again a valuable social member 

AT LAST In JUST TWO TO THREE SESSIONS . 

We are privileged to have working for us pro bono 

Dr. Muss originator of the Rewind Trauma Therapy.

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AS AN 

ING CLOSURE TO THOSE WITH PTSD 

Disorder". British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 

1991, 30,91-92. 19 policeman with PTSD were 

treated with the Rewind and followed for two 

years. All reported being well, returned to work 

and there wasn't a single relapse. The Rewind is 

different from other imaginal exposure therapies 

because no details are disclosed to the therapist 

hence the treatment is known as "closure without 

disclosure" 

aw you a few weeks ago, and 

rewind therapy has worked. “ 

DAVE, VETERAN OF AFGHANISTAN 

Visit our 

website 

www.iartt.com 

THE 

TOMMY ATKINS 

CENTRE 

26 Sansome Walk 

Worcester, 

WR1 1LX 

Tel: 01905 27825 

Don’t give in, give us a call, book your appointment, 

no waiting list, no exclusions.

Atrocities constantly 

recalled after 1990's 

Bosnia and Kosovo 

conflict "put to bed" 

Dear David, 

I would like to thank you 

for your assistance in 

treating me with the 

Rewind technique for 

post traumatic stress 

disorder that I was diagnosed 

with in November 

2011. This has been a 

number of traumatic 

experience’s in my life 

that I have been living 

with for 12 years 

because of the atrocities 

that I was exposed to in 

Bosnia and Kosovo in 

the 1990s serving as a 

Soldier in the British 

army, 

You have helped me gain 

my life back and get the 

ghosts put to bed 

Many thanks. 

Former Sgt JP McClay 

Irish Guards/ Royal Military Police. 

IARTT 

International Association 

For Rewind Trauma Therapy 


26 Sansome Walk 

Worcester 

WR1 1LX 

01905 27825 

info@www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

SBT Remembrance 

100 Special Set To 

Be A Sell Out 

The Sandbag Times is 

preparing to release a 

Remembrance 100 Special 

printed edition. The magazine 

will cover the last 100 

years since the end of the 

First World War. The journey 

will follow the Tale of 

Remembrance including 

many of the conflicts that the 

British Forces have been 

involved in. 

The issue features the incredible 

‘Remember and Reflect’ 

painting on the cover by War 

Poppy Artist Jacqueline 

Hurley. Jacqueline has also 

written an article to commemorate 

the occasion 

along with other regular writers 

such as Mrs Fox, Mike 

Woods, our resident poet, 

Peter Macey, our historian 

plus a special editorial by 

your truly. 

Only 1000 copies will be produced 

and will be on a first 

come, first served basis. 

Since the first announcement 

of the magazine, many have 

reserved their issues including 

Veterans Breakfast Clubs 

and many new subscribers 

from the Port Out, Starboard 

Home website. 

If you would like to reserve 

your issue, simply email us at 

info@sandbagtimes.com. 

Each issue will cost £4.00 

including P&P. Proceeds will 

be donated to military charities 

including the Tommy 

Atkins Veterans Centre. 

REMEMBRANCE SPECIAL 

URBAN PRINTS 


The Sandbag Times 

The SBT would like to 

welcome Urban Prints, 

Worcester as an official sponsor 

for our magazine. 

Urban Prints 

Unit 7 The Gallery, 

The Shambles, 

Worcester 

WR1 2RA 

GET HELP NOW: NHS England S/West 

0300 365 0300 


SOLDIER ON 

Transfer of the play Soldier On to The Other 

Palace is a fairy tale come true for serving and 

veteran personnel by Amanda Faber 

extremely funny…Soldier On is very, very 

funny, especially in the riotous workshops 

when the whole bunch get together to 

rehearse under the benevolent but exasperated 

tutelage of their director, Harry (David 

Solomon). There’s a constant threat of fistfights 

breaking out, inter-regimental insults flying, 

and reproducing any of the machinegun 

dialogue would involve a lot more asterisks — 

but f*** me, it’s funny.” 

Photographs: 

Harry Parker 

Front Cover & Main Hand Photos 

Harry Burton 

Matteo di Cugno 

Article Photos 

Steve Morgan 

Hand in main pictures 

It is the sort of thing that happens in a film 

script. The kind of ending to a story that just 

doesn’t happen in real life. Except it has. The 

play Soldier On by the award winning writer, 

director and veteran, Jonathan Lewis, will run 

from 24th October to 24th November in The 

Other Palace, brushing shoulders with theatres 

housing Hamilton and Wicked and next door 

to Buckingham Palace. Remarkably unique, 

the cast and crew of Soldier On includes serving 

and veteran military personnel and their 

families. Their roles include everything from 

acting and dancing to props and makeup. 

Soldier On is a heartwarming story about surviving 

the forces and PTSD and what happens 

when you leave the ‘military family’. It's a play 

about a group of veterans putting on a play - 

in effect a play within a play. The plot follows 

the veterans, many with mental or physical 

injuries, as they meet to put together a play 

about their own experiences. They begin to 

recover and to reconnect, to become a company 

of actors – a theatrical band of brother 

and sisters. Through the sense of community, 

the humour and the support they start to offer 

each other, the ‘theatre of war’ starts to bring 

them back together. They begin to realise that 

there are more similarities between military life 

and the theatre than they had first though. 

Acting creates a safe space where they can 

explore their feelings 

Lewis was an army scholar who was invalided 

out after a back injury. His play is inspired by 

true stories which he has workshopped with 

British servicemen and women and their families 

over the last five years. The play has won 

many standing ovations and much critical 

acclaim. It follows Lewis’s multi-award-winning 

West End hit, "Our Boys". 

Lewis says ‘Soldier On is dedicated to all 

those who come home after war, but don’t 

really come back. And to all their loved ones 

and friends who know what it’s like to live with 

the thousand-yard stare.…This November we 

will be remembering the end of The Great War 

a hundred years ago, and there will be many 

poignant and moving tributes to the fallen. It 

should then be time to focus on those who 

returned.’ 

Soldier On tackles heavy subject matter with 

military bearing. According to a recent 4-star 

review in the Sunday Times, “There is a lot 

of… military humor: dark and cynical but also 

(https://www.thetimes.co.uk/magazine/culture/t 

heatre-review-soldier-on-playground-theatretgcd27770) 

The play is performed by the theatre company 

of The Soldiers Arts Academy (SAA), an organization 

that provides a platform for the arts for 

serving and veteran members of the armed 

forces and their families. SAA enables them to 

recover, to train in the arts including performance 

skills and to transition back into work 

both in the performing arts and elsewhere. 

Working 

closely with 

actors, directors, 

producers, 

dancers, 

writers, poets 

and artists, 

and alongside 

members of 

the local community, 

SAA 

creates 

opportunities 

that enable 

participants to 

fulfill their 

artistic potential. 

The 

Academy was 

set up to 

bring the 

activities in a 

number of companies running at that time 

under one banner. They included The Charlie 

F Project (UK) Ltd, Combat Veteran Players 

and Shakespeare’s soldiers. 

The exciting call to bring the play into a West 

End theatre came from Lord Lloyd Webber’s 

theatre The Other Palace. ‘ Veteran and actor 

Shaun Johnson commented “After a sell-out 

UK tour, it’s an absolute pleasure for me to be 

invited to perform the part of Flaps again. 

We’re taking this production up a notch to the 

superb The Other Place Theatre in the heart of 

London. What a privilege and fitting tribute as 

a former soldier to acknowledge the sacrifice 

and the ending of the Great War by performing 

Soldier On around the 100th anniversary of 

Armistice Day". 

The true value of this play lies in its power to 

create conversations about the next steps in 

recovery for serving and veteran military personnel. 

There is limited evidence about what 

actually happens for veterans through theatre 


SOLDIERING ON 

but there is now recognition of the possibilities. 

In 2017 an all party inquiry co chaired by 

Lord Howarth and Ed Vaisey concluded that 

the arts can help recovery from illness and 

keep people well. Lord Howarth said “The arts 

can help people take responsibility for their 

own health and wellbeing in ways that will be 

crucial to the health of the nation.” 

Playing the role of Woody, Cassidy Little 

@Bears_eat_oats, was a dancer before he 

joined the Royal Marines, where he lost his left 

leg to an IED in Afghanistan on his second 

tour of duty. Prior to the initial run of Soldier 

On he had gone on to perform in both tours of 

the multiple-award nominated The Two Worlds 

of Charlie F by Owen Sheers, won the 

People’s Strictly for Comic relief, has worked 

in film and has his own show ‘Rated’ on BFBS. 

He says, ‘Had it not been for acting, dancing 

and performing then I have no idea where my 

life would be”. 

The impact for 

those on stage 

and behind 

the stage is 

also mirrored 

by the 

changes that 

take place in 

audience 

members, 

whether serving 

and veteran 

personnel 

and their families 

or members 

of the 

wider community. 

One audience member 

said, ‘ it helps to put you in 

touch with emotions that are 

sometimes difficult to face’ 

and another said ‘Acting is 

somewhere you can pretend 

to be someone else but actually 

be yourself without being 

judged’. 

The military charities have 

done a superb job of making 

everyone aware of the issues 

faced by veterans and serving 

personnel. Events like the 

Invictus games have provided 

a brilliant focus for sport but 

this is not for everyone. It's the 

turn of those involved in the 

arts now. This is the first time 

that veterans have performed 

a major run of a play about 

their experiences in the West 

End. Writer Lewis feels passionate 

about the subject matter. ‘Soldier On 

celebrates the power of Story in the healing 

process. Soldier On is here to say ‘You are not 

alone.’’ 

Tickets are available from the Other Palace 

website 

https://www.theotherpalace.co.uk/whatson/soldier-on 

or by phoning their booking line 0207 087 

7900. There is £10 off every ticket band for 

serving and veteran military personnel and 

their families and members of the emergency 

services by using the code SOLDIERONFAM. 

Find us: 

Twitter: 

@soldieronstage 

@soldiersArtsA 

Website: 

Soldierontheplay.com

WIN!! 

A pair of tickets to ‘Soldier On’ at 

the Other Palace Theatre, London 

for 30th October 2018 

To be in with a chance of winning 

simply answer the following question 

and email your answer to 


Q. Who is the famous West End 

lyracist and owner of the Other 

Palace Theatre? 

Entries close Friday 14th September 2018 


Fortune knocks twice for lucky Worthing couple 

A lucky couple have each won a prize in the new Veterans Raffle, promoted by YES Society. It supports the specialist 

UK Armed Forces and Emergency Services charities desperately in need of additional funding, and it’s the 

only UK raffle or lottery to apportion 95% of your donations to charity & prizes. 

Mark, a self-confessed petrol head and lover of military aviation, said “I had already pre-registered for the Veterans 

Raffle launch in May this year and when I won a £100 prize in my very first draw, I encouraged my wife Catherine to 

enter too. We were both absolutely amazed when she also won a £100 prize in her first draw, which was just 2 

months after my win!” 

Why did you choose to support the Veterans Raffle? 

NHS nurse, Catherine said “We saw the Veterans Raffle advertised locally and upon visiting their website we 

instantly became aware of just how little we knew about lotteries in general, including those we had been supporting 

for years. With such compelling facts right before my eyes it became a ‘No-Brainer’ to switch my support to the 

Veterans Raffle.” 

A beneficiary of the Veterans Raffle, Tony Hayes, CEO & Founder of the Veterans Association UK said: “We’re 

extremely grateful for the Veterans Raffle support. The Veterans Raffle provides crucial funds for the valuable work 

that we do. I’m particularly impressed with the percentage that is given to charities like us and also ‘Gobsmacked’ 

how generous the prizes are too. I don’t know of any other lottery that comes even close to being so transparent 

about what goes where and who gets what. They’ve really put a lot of thought and planning into the Veterans Raffle 

and I can see it really taking-off once word gets around. We’re doing all we can to help them to help us.” 

The Veterans Raffle– Enter today to support our ex-servicemen & women 

www.veteransraffle.uk 

Every month there are guaranteed Winners for every prize drawn, from no less than £100 right up to a potential 

£25,000 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 25|

CANADA CALLING 

Canada Calling 

The Canuck Connection 

In just over 3 months 

we will once again 

form up on Npvember 

11th. This year it will 

be extraordinary in 

that it is the 100th 

Anniversary of WW1. 

11-11-11 yes the 11th 

day of the 11th month 

at 11 hundred hours. 

Heads will be bowed 

in prayer, the last post 

and Reveille will sound 

after 2 minutes of 

silence. 

World leaders of both sides of the war will be attending 

services in their Nations Capital. That is except for the 

Commander in Chief of the USA. He has invited himself 

to Paris to watch the military parade as he cannot afford 

one. This in its self is a slap in the face from the Orange 

President to Veterans and serving soldiers. 

I hope that some one in the White House sees this issue 

and this Video in particular. https://binged.it/2BCNVgt 

Created by a Canadian Veteran a dozen or more years 

ago. 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-attendnovember-wwi-parade-paris-004334345.html 

On that note thus endeth the lesson of a C in C who 

disrespects his military. As a DRAFT DODGER would. 

Till next month stay safe. 

Nil Sine Labore 

Robby 

Have You Walked A Mile Yet? 

OP WAMITS 

GET HELP NOW: NHS England South East 

020 3317 6818 


HAVE FAITH 

Stones... 

I remember, as a child, scrambling over the prehistoric cliffs of 

Highcliffe-on-sea on the south coast. The cliffs were forever crumbling 

that would unearth thousands of fossils of tiny shell fish and 

animals. My friend and I would spend hours searching through the 

clay and mud in the hope of finding something that nobody had 

ever seen before. What an adventure that was. I also remember, 

scattered all over the beach were rocks and stones with amazing 

crystal formations. These formations had been formed by thousands 

of years of exposure to the sand and salty seawater leaving 

a multitude of sparkling colours. I used to wonder what if I could 

break one of these rocks open? Would it look like the precious 

stones in the gem shops? Could I get rich from them? The problem 

"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone". 

The more I think about this, the more impact it has on me. The 

more imperfect we are, the more God wants to use us. Wow, how 

powerful is that? I find it really reassuring that no matter I much I 

feel rejected from those around me, the more God wants to use 

me. No matter how damaged or rough I may be, God has a purpose 

for me. Sometimes, it is only by getting damaged and taking 

the knocks can we be truly ready to be used. As I write this, 

I have another passage in the bible fighting to come out. It is at 

Mark 2:17 "When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people 

don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call not those 

who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." 

These two passages, for me, have become so important in my life. 

Take some time, if you can, to just mull over these thoughts today. 

I do hope they give you the peace that I found in them. 

Oh yes, I never did break that rock!! 

was how to break these stones open. Hmm. A child's mind is a wonderful 

place. Full of dreams and wonder... Its funny, because years 

later, whenever I hear the phrase "He/she is my rock" my mind 

wanders back to those rocks on the beach and their sheer strength. 

No matter how I smashed at them with my dad's hammer, I wasn't 

strong enough to break them. 

Until next time, take care and God bless. Px 

There was one lesson for life. A good rock can be relied upon to 

stand strong for you. How many rocks do you have in your life? 

Stones and rocks appear all over the place in the Bible. From the 

stones that bore the Ten Commandments, the stone that David 

killed Goliath with, the rock that Moses struck in the desert with his 

staff to quench the thirst of the Israelite's, there are so many. But 

the most impacting passage, for me bar none, can be found in 1 

Peter 2, Psalm 118: 22, Matthew 21: 42, Acts 4: 11, Luke 20: 17- 

18, Mark 12: 10, to name just a few. It is simple, 

GET HELP NOW: NHS England North 

0191 441 5974 


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THE LIVES OF OUR HEROES 

RECRUIT THE BEST 

RECRUIT EX-MILITARY 

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Forces Recruitment Services 

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Prince Harry teams up with 

Hamish Blake for special project 

Invictus News 

David Beckham Announced As 

2018 Invictus Games Ambassador 

Former England football captain David 

Beckham has announced that he will be taking 

on a role as Invictus Games Ambassador. 

In a post on his personal Instagram page, he 

said: 

"I’ve been lucky enough to meet and work 

with many serving, veteran and wounded 

British armed forces personnel over the years 

and I’ve been humbled by the courage, 

resilience and spirit shown by each and every 

one of them. 

Read More Here... 

Former digger Craig McGrath to 

compete in yacht race 

COMMANDO Craig McGrath’s life changed 

when he walked into an abandoned building 

in Afghanistan in 2012. 

The wall next to him was about to explode 

and riddle his body with shrapnel. 

The force of the debris that burst from the 

hidden improvised explosive device tore 

through one of Mr McGrath’s knuckles, broke 

his right leg and tore a femoral vein. 

Read More Here 

The countdown is on with just over 

two months to go until Prince Harry 

and Meghan Markle arrive in 

Sydney for the Invictus Games. 

And now there's another reason to 

get excited for the October event, 

not that we really needed it. 

Hamish Blake has been announced 

as ambassador for the Invictus 

Games and it turns out he has a lot 

in common with its creator. 

"I was profoundly changed by a trip 

we took to Afghanistan in 2008," 

Blake says on the Games' official 

website. 

"It was my first real experience 

properly interacting with defence 

personnel and saw first-hand the 

incredible work they do." 

In 2008, Blake and comedy partner 

Andy Lee broadcast their radio 

show from the Australian base at 

Tarin Kowt as during their mission 

to entertain the troops. 

Prince Harry established the 

Invictus Games in 2014 after seeing 

the positive impact sport could 

have on the recovery of wounded, 

injured and ill servicemen and 

women. 

The event has been held in 

London, Florida and Toronto with 

Sydney next in line. It'll involve 500 

competitors from 18 nations. 

The 33-year-old has a deep connection 

to those who have served. 

Harry was in the army for 10 years 

and undertook two tours of 

Afghanistan. 

He was known as Captain Wales 

and piloted an Apache helicopter. 

Blake, too, says the Invictus Games 

can be a force for change. 

"I think it’s an awesome movement 

that not only provides a great experience 

for defence personnel and 

veterans but allows the public to 

show tangible support for veterans 

which I think there is a real want to 

do, we just often don’t know how," 

the 36-year-old comedian says. 

"It’s an awesome chance to show 

our appreciation and support to 

people who, quite frankly, have 

risked their lives to support our 

country." 

As for which sport he's most looking 

forward to watching during the 

Games Blake says, "I’m secretly an 

indoor rowing nerd. 

"I’m pumped that it’s an actual 

event." 

Prince Harry chose the Toronto 

Games to introduce Meghan Markle 

to the world, stepping out for the 

first time together at the tennis. 

Now the couple are married, excitement 

is expected to reach fever 

pitch in Sydney with thousands of 

fans no doubt hanging out to catch 

a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess 

of Sussex. 

Read More Here... 

GET HELP NOW: NHS England Midlands 

0300 323 0137 

| 30 


INVICTUS GAMES 2018 

The Archers Targeting Success At Invictus Games 2018 - www.forces.net 

With the Invictus Games 2018 drawing 

ever closer, Forces News went to see 

how the archers at Team UK are preparing. 

10 archers have been selected to represent 

the UK at the games which kicks off 

on 20 October in Sydney, Australia. 

The group have been upping their training 

programme recently and have been 

to Bath for an intense training camp. 

This year the UK Invictus team are made 

up of more than 60 per cent new athletes. 

One new athlete is Daniel Phillips, he 

said: "I don't know what words to 

describe [being selected]. 

"Such an amazing feeling...yeah me, little 

old me - how can they pick little old 

me?! It was incredible!" 

Joe Dillnutt will also be competing for 

the first time and is itching to get started 

down under. 

"If I could go out there tomorrow and do 

it, I would - I suppose that's a little bit of 

nerves as well where I just want to get it 

done but at the same time, I want to be 

in the best shape I can before going out 

there," he explained. 

Two Team GB coaches were leading the 

training camp, hoping to guide the athletes 

to a potential podium place. 

Coach Andy Rikukenko said it's about 

getting the best out of each athlete 

regardless of any disabilities: "If somebody 

can't use one of their arms then 

we have to start thinking about shooting 

with a mouth tab like one of the guys 

here today, then yeah that brings in a 

few interesting challenges. 

Read Full Story... 


Russell Perks Martial Arts Academy in 

Kidderminster has been helping ex-servicemen 

and women to resolve the pain of PTSD 

through martial arts training. 

Everyone needs some form of discipline in 

their life, some people need it more than others. 

This is often the case for ex-military personnel 

in particular. They are very much used 

to the day-to-day routine of a military life, and 

once out of the forces they are left at a loose 

end, missing the sense of belonging, discipline 

and structure of that way of life. 

MARTIAL ARTS 

Veterans Find a New Focus Through Martial Arts 

Focusing The Mind, Body & Spirit Through Dedication & Self Discipline Aids 

Veterans in Tackling Mental Health Issues and Assits in Resettlement 

back, “Martial arts have given me discipline, 

new friends who support me in what I do and 

a social circle outside of the Academy. I now 

have a complete new focus and something to 

look forward to, plus a way of getting fit. It 

has given me a new lease of life!!”. 

Martin goes on to say” It really has given me 

a new way to look at life, although I still have 

down days from time to time, I know that my 

martial arts instructor team and members are 

there to support and encourage me. The only 

bad moment for me is when they close on a 

bank holiday as I miss it that much”. 

For those individuals who have been on the 

front line and now suffer with PTSD, there is 

medication plus many clinics and groups set 

up to support them, however some people 

just need something more! 

At Russell Perks Martial Arts Academy, we 

have found that martial arts training with the 

right teaching methods, really can be a successful 

therapy for those suffering. Owner 

and chief instructor Russell Perks was first 

approached by his first military veteran, 

Martin Woodnutt, about starting martial arts. It 

took him over 3 weeks just to come through 

the front door. Once he took that first step 

Martin says that there really was no turning 

Chief instructor Russell Perks says “Martin is 

a pleasure to teach, people always take a 

while to adapt to new situation. When Martin 

first came to me, he was lacking confidence 

and was so unsure of everything. However, 

we worked hard with him, as we do with all of 

our students to make them feel comfortable, 

by having fun, challenging and supporting 

each other along the way. I can’t recommend 

martial arts enough” If you are that person 

struggling with PTSD and feel that there is 

nothing left for you then I urge you to give 

martial arts a try, choose the right club and 

you won’t look back. For anyone seeking 

advice regarding martial arts then please contact 

Russell Perks on info@rpmaa.com. 


WRAF 

WRAF Sailing With Turn To Starboard 

The WRAF Branch of RAFA were delighted 

to be offered the use of a Beneteau 

40’ yacht by Turn to Starboard, The 

Forces’ Sailing Charity (T2S was established 

retired Sqn Ldr Shaun Pascoe) together with 

an amazing skipper Sir Dusty Millar, former 

President of RAFA and a Patron of T2S, for 

the first week of July. 

Sir Dusty and his six Ex WRAF crew, only 

three of whom had sailed before, met up in 

Falmouth where T2S are based and took over 

the boat that would be ours for the week. 

Following safety briefings and familiarity (military 

ethos never far away) and stocking up 

with rations, we slipped for Carrick Roads 

and man overboard drills. The ladies 

deemed the skipper essential so paid due 

attention! 

Days followed of learning the drills for putting 

up, taking down and flaking of sails and 

helming the boat; we were fortunate to have 

amazing weather for all bar one day - which 

taught us the vagaries of weather forecasting 

and being prepared. An 8-knot wind that 

rapidly turned into 32 knots and 10’ waves 

was an experience none of us will forget, 

exhilarating and very mind focusing at the 

same time! An abiding memory for all being 

Sir Dusty making us all lunch one day, sandwiches 

and drinks as we sailed – WE DID IT! 

A passage to, and overnight moored off 

Fowey with a trip ashore to the Legion and 

for dinner was another highlight. 

In typical military fashion a largely unfamiliar 

group of veterans came together as individuals 

and left as a team. Sharing close quarters, 

meals, laughs and some hard moments, 

creating memories that will never fade. The 

end of our week was rounded 

off by a move to the T2S 

tall ship Spirit of Falmouth, a 

91’ wooden gaff rig replica! 

One of our group had sailed 

the boat many years prior 

so it was a lovely home 

coming. Our final 2 days 

was spent on Spirit exploring 

the coast around 

Falmouth and up the River 

Fal with amazing weather 

but sadly not enough wind 

to put up sail. 

Turn to Starboard and Sir 

Dusty gave us all an amazing 

week for which we are 

very grateful, recognized by 

a donation from the ladies. 

For more information on the 

charity and all they offer to 

those serving and retired 

www.turntostarboard.co.uk/ 



Armed Forces & 


www.afvbc.net 

WEBSITE 

The VBC Website has now been revamped/redesigned and is now live. There are 

several new features including a Post Code search facility that brings up the five 

nearest Breakfast Clubs to your Post Code, and we now have a News feature and 

links to the current issues of the Sandbag Times and much more. To make it easier 

for people to get to it, funds have been made available to allow the acquisition of 

more domain names. 

The new address is www.afvbc.co.uk and the old address is pointed at the new site. 

The main alteration is that the email addresses have changed from: 

Support@VeteransBreakfastClubs.co.uk 

to 

Support@AFVBC.co.uk 

SANDBAG TIMES AFVBC OFFER 

As many of you, in the AFVBC world may know, 

the Sandbag Times is now available as a printed 

edition. Unlike the online edition, we cannot 

offer the printed copies for free as we have to 

pay for expensive printing costs and obviously, 

the postage. However, we have done some 

number crunching and we are pleased to say we 

can send out packs of 5 magazines for £20.00. 

Unfortunately, we regret that we cannot send out 

single copies at this time, hopefully that will 

change in the near future as the SBT grows. 

The prints are of excellent and professional 

standard with 250gsm covers and 130gsm 

pages with stunning colour and graphics. If you 

would like to order monthly magazines for your 

club or send in entries, then please email us at 

info@sandbagtimes.com This printed copy will 

be used to support the Tommy Atkins Veterans 

Centre in Worcester. 

GET HELP NOW: Return To The Tribe 

AFVBC.net 


35|

Armed Forces & 


www.afvbc.net 

WEBSITE 

Uxbridge AFVBC Raises Awareness For Veterans Suicide 

Do you tweet? 

Iain Henderson of the Uxbridge Armed Forces 

& Veterans Breakfast Club is trying to boost 

awareness of Veterans’ suicide. 

The proposal is to have a #TwitterStorm next 

Charity Tuesday 21 August 2018 from 8am. 

Iain says “I am trying to boost the message 

about #VeteranSuicide #VeteransSuicides “ 

All you have to do is include those hashtags 

as above in posts on Twitter and all social 

media. 

There is also a petition you can find on Iain’s 

Twitter @VCTrustee 

It asks that in all deaths the coroners have to 

consider if the victim was a veteran and if it 

was a case of suicide. So we can establish 

better the scale of the problem. 

Please share far and wide 

You can also of course contact your MP and 

get them motivated. 

First Oakham AFVBC Club A Great Success 

Local residents Mark & Tracey Taylor hosted 

the first Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast 

Club on Saturday 11th August 2018 at the 

Grainstore Brewery in Oakham. 

Mark an Armed Forces Veteran himself has 

only been out of the Army less than 3 years 

having completed 26 years’ service and 

decided on settling down with Tracey and 

his family in Oakham on completion of his 

full service. Tracey who currently works in 

Adult Services within the local area remarked 

that It is evident that there really is a large 

service and veteran community within 

Oakham and it was too good an opportunity 

to miss to try and acquaint likeminded folk 

together in a formal meet within the community. 

There are no subs or joining fees. All 

veteran or service personnel will ever have to 

pay for is their own breakfast. 

Mark & Tracey decided that this would be a 

good opportunity and spoke to the 

Grainstore Brewery who kindly agreed to 

host the Breakfast and the rest was then 

simply down to word of mouth via various 

social media platforms and Rutland Radio 

which then gathered real interest from then 

on in. Read more here... 

| 38 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 



Tickets to Award winning Ballet “Lest We Forget” 

The network of the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs are delighted 

to receive an allocation of tickets (in pairs) to this award winning Ballet 

‘Lest We Forget’. If you would like to apply for a pair of tickets, please 

contact Elaine Forman at liaison@afvbc.net Read more... 

New veterans breakfast in New Mills brings community together 

Veterans and armed service personnel 

can now come together and support 

each other with bacon butties, brews 

and banter. 

On Saturday, the newest Armed Forces 

and Veterans Breakfast Club opened in 

New Mills and more than 50 people 

came out to support the event. The 

meeting was held at The Pride of the 

Peaks, on Market Street. Landlady 

Shelley Hagen said: “It was busier than I 

thought it would be which means it must 

be needed around here. “It was a lovely 

morning and everyone was chatting 

about where they had served. There was 

a great mix of young and old all together, 

and a real sense of community.” To 

celebrate the launch, all the breakfasts 

were served-up free of charge with support 

from Booker’s. Shelley said: “They 

heard about what we were doing and 

contacted us. They said they wanted to 

help make a difference and offered to 

foot the bill, which was just lovely.” The 

breakfast meetings are now popping up 

all over the country, with the first being 

launched in Hull by Dereck Hardman. 

Speaking about the New Mills launch, he 

said: “When you leave the Armed Forces 

you lose not just a job, your income, 

your home, your work clothes; usually 

around 1,500 friends and you lose your 

identity in many respects. In short, your 

entire way of life has to change. 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 39 | 


Information 

A word from the Ed 

Ways to find us 

It’s something of a tradition for 

me to start these blogs with the 

line ‘Wow, what a Month’. As 

much as I want to use it this 

month it just doesn’t feel 

appropriate. Six veterans 

confirmed dead within a week 

from suicide (a seventh is being 

investigated). It is absolutely 

heartbreaking. Unfortunately the 

big question still remains, Why? 

But you know what, I’m sick of 

asking the question and sitting by 

while more veterans die 

needlessly. I’ve said on numerous 

occasions recently that we all 

have to get involved to help. 

Well, over here at the Tommy 

Atkins Centre we are launching 

our treatment service through our 

own GP and Trauma specialist Dr 

David Muss and the Rewind 

Therapy. This is simple. You 

don’t need to wait, just call us. 

You do not need to go through 

GP’s, jump through hoops or wait 

for months on end. Call the 

centre and you will be seen within 

a week. Regardless of age, 

severity, condition, or weather 

you still have substance misuse as 

an issue, the centre can and will 

help. Please let us know. 

In other news, we are very thrilled 

to be associated with Team 

Dynamics Motorsport in 

becoming an offial sponsor for the 

Veterans Awards. We are all very 

excited at this and are looking 

forward to our Patron Matt, taking 

a big part in this. Talking of 

Matt, we are looking forward to 

watching the action at Knockhill 

in Scotland this weekend when 

Matt and Dan will be fighting 

back from not their best weekend 

at Rockingham. You can watch it 

this Sunday on ITV 4 from midmorning. 

Have a great month until Issue 48 

and remember to get your orders 

in for the Remembrance Special 

out in October.. They’re going 

quick. Take care for now, Pabs x 

The Sandbag Times 

www.sandbagtimes.com 

thesandbagtimes 

@thesandbagtimes 

info@sandbagtimes.com 

Caption Competition 

Come up with a funny caption for the picture 

above and win an autographed card from our 

two Team Dynamics drivers, Matt Neal and 

Dan Cammish. Just email us your funnies on 



Information 

The Trauma Trap 

By Dr David Muss 

Post-traumatic 

stress disorder is 

a little-recognized 

but debilitating 

psychological 

condition. 

It affects thousands 

of people across the 

world, from 

servicemen and 

women returning from 

war, to victims of rape, 

assault or industrial 

accident. 

Common symptoms, 

such as hallucinations, 

nightmares, flashbacks 

and chronic anxiety, can 

recur for years after the 

event. 

Treatment, if available at all, has 

tended to be slow and often 

distressing, and the results 

frequently disappointing. 

This book outlines a programme 

which aims to be straightforward 

and comprehensible in restoring 

normality and tranquillity to the 

lives of people suffering from the 

effects of both natural and manmade 

disasters 

All or Nothing 

Chalky Martin 

If your music tastes lie with Mods, Ska and 

Soul then this album from Chalky Martin is 

the album to buy. Available soon, watch this 

space. 

Talladega Nights 

Here’s a little bit of light-hearted 

madness for your quiet 

evenings viewing. I only 

include this because we watched it on 

Netflix this month and I found it very 

funny. Don’t take this seriously as it 

really goes a little far in places but I will 

say that Will Ferrell is hilarious. Worth a 

watch and as I said, available on Netflix. 

Back issues of The Sandbag Times are available to download here 


MRS FOX GOES TO WAR 

Mrs Fox Goes 

To War... 

The Chronicles of Little Hope 

1939 - 1945 

Villager of the month: 

Little Fanny Fuller 

Hilda Ffinch: 

The Bird With All The Answers 

Hilda Ffinch, Little Hope's very own Agony 

Aunt (page 5 of the Little Hope Herald) was 

easily bored and terribly rich. She loved nothing 

better than taking on the problems of others 

and either sorting them out or claiming 

that she'd never heard of them if it all went tits 

up and they had to leave the district under 

cover of darkness having followed her sage 

advice. 

“Whatever had gone on in that potting shed, little 

Fanny Fuller was certainly living up to her 

name...” 

You can catch up with the adventures of Fanny 

Fuller at 

https://www.mrsfoxgoestowar.co.uk/may-day 

This month’s letter comes from Ethel, and 

she’s after borrowing Hilda’s lame gamekeeper... 

Little Fanny Fuller was the vicar's housemaid, 

an honest, decent sort with the world - and the 

vicar's nephew, young Percy Fishwick - at her 

feet. The Reverend Fishwick had voiced his 

concerns to Mrs Fox however about the meagre 

amount of pigeon in his pies of late and was a 

bit suspicious of Fanny's increasing girth. 

Mrs Fox was pretty certain that pies had nothing 

whatsoever to do with it... 


THE CHRONICLES OF LITTLE HOPE 

Letter of the Month 

Dear Hilda 

I was wondering if you would take it upon 

yourself to manage your Dick? 

With most of the men in the village being 

away fighting Jerry it is left to us women to 

tend our own patches and it’s all well and 

good being asked to dig for victory, but I for 

one struggle with a dibber. Now I know that 

Dick Scratcher helps out with your patch and I 

was thinking that a woman of your formidable 

talents would be just the person to manage 

Dick and arrange for all the ladies on the village 

to have him for a bit on a rota? After all 

there is a war on and I think that with our 

men away it’s only fair that all us ladies get 

our fair share of Dick to ease the frustration 

of having to manage our own patches. 

Thank you in advance dear Mrs Finch . 

bean amongst the lettuce, as it were? Heaven 

knows, Dick’s a dab hand at it but he can’t be 

everywhere. 

Might you consider perhaps banding together 

with another lady (or two) in the village and going 

at it en masse, as it were? They do say that many 

hands make light work, and I’m sure that Fanny 

Cox and Dotty Fishburn from the WI would jump 

at the chance to help out, Lord knows they 

spend enough time fiddling about in one another’s 

foliage and one imagines that a change of 

frondescence might be just the ticket for all three 

of you. 

In short then, Ethel, you really don’t need a Dick to 

keep on top of things in your lonely patch, a 

Fanny’s just as good and she’ll bring her own kippers. 

Yours, 

Hilda Ffinch, 

The Bird With All The Answers 

Yours expectantly, 

Ethel 

Dear Ethel, 

Managing the Dick in question, my dear, isn’t 

as easy as it sounds. For one thing, my 

undergrowth is extensive and requires constant 

attention if Colonel Ffinch’s rhubarb is to 

come up at all this year, and for another Dick 

needs to be constantly on hand here to 

encourage the Colonel’s gourds to come 

good, if they are to come at all. I’ve tried 

everything, but clearly I don’t have the special 

touch that Dick Scratcher does. The Colonel 

swears by him, even going so far as to invite 

him round for the occasional stiff one on the 

terrace (providing that we don’t have any 

house guests of note, obviously) and maintains 

that he’s a far better sower of seed than 

any he’s come across this side of Kew 

Gardens, and to be entirely fair, he’s come 

across a few. 

I do appreciate that the shortage of men in 

Little Hope and the surrounding villages has 

led to a surge in the growth rate of ladies’ gardens 

and that obviously it’s nigh on impossible 

(not to mention terribly tiresome) having 

to go at it constantly on one’s own, but perhaps 

a raised bed might help your endeavours 

and make it easier to find the odd broad 

If you’d like Hilda Ffinch, The Bird With All The 

Answers to address your own wartime problem, 

then pop along to https://www.mrsfoxgoestowar.co.uk/hilda-finch-agony-aunt 

to subject your 

personal crisis to her (hopefully) sober scrutiny. 

Remember to give yourself a suitable wartime 

alias! Letters will be answered online and a selection 

of them published in next month’s Sandbag 

Times. 


TO ORDER PLEASE CALL: 01226 734222 

ORDER ONLINE: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk 

PEN AND SWORD BOOKS LTD 

47 CHURCH STREET • BARNSLEY • SOUTH YORKSHIRE • S70 2AS

The Sandbag Times Issue No: 47

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