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The veterans building a new team closer to home

Phil McCann,North Westand
Lauren Hirst,North West
News imageDanny Bowcock Danny Bowcock, who has his arms folded and is standing in front of a brick wall, is wearing a camouflage uniform and a dark green beret.Danny Bowcock
Danny Bowcock served in the Royal Marines before setting up the company

Moving house is always a military operation, but that is especially the case when Lewis Kendrick and Carl Bumby are on the job.

The pair - along with other military veterans - are part of a team working for Manchester-based business Soldiers on the Move.

The firm was set up, in part, to provide employment and support to the veteran community: "As much as we're a civilian company, we want to try and keep that military sort of teamwork and attitude," said founder, and former Royal Marine, Danny Bowcock.

Bowcock credits the veterans' "shared hardship" for forging a unique team. "There's that sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that you miss when you leave the military," agrees Bumby.

Bumby was a member of The Mercian Regiment in the British Army for eight years, serving in Iraq.

He said he had welcomed the opportunity to work with other veterans.

"When you leave the military, there's sort of a hole left that needs filling. It's hard to do that sometimes just based with the civilians," he said.

News imageCarl Bumby, wearing a cream hooded jumper, stands in front of an open door with his arms crossed
Carl Bumby said he enjoyed the camaraderie of working with other veterans

"It's not often veterans are with other veterans.

"It's easier to chat to people that have been in situations that I suppose civilians have not been in.

"It's easier to just get things off your chest when you know someone's been in that position themselves."

News imageLewis Kendrick, wearing a light grey hooded jumper, sitting in the back of a removal van.
Lewis Kendrick said he enjoyed working in a close team and that every day was different

Kendrick was in the Royal Marines for 15 years, and served in Afghanistan.

"Obviously we're in a time now where, unfortunately, there's a lot of people finding it hard - to the point where they're taking their own lives," he said.

"Myself and Danny, we both know a handful of people who've done that over the last few years.

"There's lots of help out there, but these kind of companies just open your eyes a bit more."

News imageDanny Bowcock, wearing a beige jumper with a brown shirt underneath
Danny Bowcock has made a special effort to reach out to veterans to join his business

While the company does not solely employ veterans - those that have served in the military "come from a similar background and the shared hardship".

"I know for a fact they all talk to each other," said Bowcock.

"I don't see anyone shying away - and I think that's what we're trying to build here."

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