TA soldiers wear uniforms to work

A series of events are taking place this year to mark the centenary of the TA

Territorial Army soldiers from across the UK are carrying out their day jobs in their military uniforms.

Uniform to Work Day celebrates 100 years of the TA and is designed to make the contribution of the part-time force more visible.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is holding a reception at 10 Downing Street to mark the day.

A series of events taking place to celebrate the centenary included a pageant in central London last month.

One of those wearing his uniform to work was Conservative MP Mark Lancaster, a TA major serving with the Royal Engineers.

TA UNIFORMS AT WORK London: MPs Maj Mark Lancaster and Maj Desmond Swayne are in the Houses of Parliament London: Cpl Nichola Harrison is working at Battersea Dogs Home Truro: Sculptor and Rifleman James Eddy is working on a piece of art Perth: Pte Russell Duffy is delivering post Glasgow: Gunner Kelly Gallagher is working at Superdrug Manchester: Lt Col Joanne Laverty is teaching at school The 'crucial' role of the TA

"I think it is incredibly important to raise the profile of the TA and to celebrate the role of the TA," he said.

"There are thousands of people going to work today across the country in uniform and many of their colleagues probably don't even realise they serve in the TA."

Cpl Nichola Harrison, who serves part-time with the Royal Military Police, also wore her uniform to her day job at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The health and safety officer was deployed to Basra, Iraq, in 2005 for seven months to help the Iraqi police.

"It is a good thing to do. It is what you sign up for when you join the TA and the skills and knowledge that you can bring back from that are really useful," she said.

The day's organiser, Col Alastair Bruce, said it was intended to remind the public that members of the TA were "among us" in society.

"But perhaps more importantly we want to encourage public affirmation, recognition and understanding of the remarkable work these people undertake as volunteers."

The TA expects to deploy 1,500 soldiers on operations this year.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version