Page 46 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017
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Ex HADRIAN’S GRENADIER
Sgt Wightman
In late April, the fighting men, woman and Op TRENTON attachments of A (Grenadier) ‘Champion’ Company headed north, to walk back in time, and complete an arduous fourteen mile tab across the most iconic stretch of the famous Roman defensive wall. The newly formed alliance of Op TRENTON warriors started their journey in the Roman museum. The guys and gals took a leap back in time and found out what it must have been like for Roman soldiers stationed at Hadrian’s Wall all those years ago.
Following the museum visit, the self- appointed pathfinder of the group,
Sgt Wightman, (aka self-proclaimed RECCE expert, Close Observation
Platoon 2005-2007 and Brigade Recce Force 2010) led the King of Mercia (OC Grenadier Company), Maj Bourne, and his band of brothers and sisters in completely the wrong direction; despite the fact he had a reference point visible from space. Once pathfinder Wightman had given his head
a wobble, the group proceeded to walk along the path of history, passing historic landmarks such as the Hadrian’s Wall Sycamore Gap.
It was a fun day out and enjoyed by all, except for the few individuals who took
air or ground based transport to navigate some of the most scenic views of one of Great Britain’s jewels of history. Who would think infanteers don’t like walking up hills on iconic days out. A great eye-opening trip to the North, and thankfully, the famous British weather only joined us at the end of the day!
Sgt ‘Pathfinder’ Wightman and WO2 (CSM) Cartledge / Sycamore Gap / Hadrians Wall / April 17
The group passing through Sycamore Gap / Hadrians Wall / April 17
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
A (Grenadier) ‘Champion’ Company at one of the highest points / Hadrians wall / April 17