When most people were out enjoying their Saturday afternoons, a group of reservists were getting their hands dirty.
Reservists from 7 Scots Royal Regiment of Scotland were deep in the trenches – literally.
The team, based at the Gordon Barracks, were carrying out a training day at the famous Gordon Highlanders Museum.
Using the museum’s replica World War I trench, the soldiers held a “practical” training day, while helping repair any deteriorated sandbags.
The reservist battalion made up of members from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are what could be classed as part-time military.
They carry out training one evening a week and one weekend a month.
On Saturday, the troops returned to a site that they have a strong affiliation with.
‘It’s better than PowerPoint’
Captain Hawke, 36, said the training day idea had come following a visit to the Gordon Highlanders Museum.
He said: “We’ve been to the museum before to visit it and when we saw that the sandbags needed a bit of repair, we decided this would be an excellent opportunity to turn this into a lesson.
“We’re conducting a lesson while we’re repairing the trenches – they get their trenches repaired and I get a really good environment to deliver my lesson in.
“The trench itself is in excellent condition but some of the sandbags have just deteriorated over the years so we’re just repairing the sandbags.
“This is among the best training aids I’ve got because it’s a practical delivery of the lesson – far better than PowerPoint.”
Enjoying ‘getting their hands dirty’
While this may not be some people’s idea of the best way to spend a summer weekend, Cpt Hawke said this was actually a welcome break for many of the soldiers from their civilian jobs.
Everyone from police constables to Pilates instructors were taking part in working in the trenches and mud.
“I think the troops appreciate it’s a practical lesson,” he said. “They really enjoy going out and getting their hands dirty.
“This is their chance to be a reservist do the military skills on their own time.”
Former Gordon Highlander and museum assistant Darren Sharp said they were very grateful to Cpt Hawke and the group for giving up their time.
Mr Sharp, who is usually in charge of the upkeep himself, said: “It’s a difficult job the sandbags – it’s hard work.
“It’s a dual purpose thing for 7 Scots as well because they’re getting training out of the trench and we’re getting it repaired and looking good for the public.”
Keeping the link alive
Chief executive at the museum, John McLeish, said they hoped it could turn into an annual exercise.
He added: “The Gordons have always been a local regiment. They are the regiment of the north-east.
“It’s keeping that link locally and keeping things alive that is very, very important to us. It’s very touching actually that people feel that link.
“These guys are giving up their time. They know they could be called upon at anytime to serve their country but it’s also very lovely that they want to come and help us.
“This has been a big, big help today. They’ve been working very hard, hopefully we’ll send them away with a nice bottle of Gordon Highlander’s whisky.”
