Page 14 - Eagle Eye Winter 2020

1066 March
Cpl Mitchell Lawrence, 42 Engineer Regiment
On the 28th September 1066, after defeating Harald Hardrada at the battle of Stamford bridge King Harold marched his tired and badly mauled army 320 miles to Hastings. On the 14th of October 1066 King Harold was defeated at the battle of Hastings and William crowned King of England on Christmas day.
950 years later Lewis Kirkbride a Historic Reenactor, inspired by the gruelling march conducted by Harald decided to march the same very steps, to raise money and awareness for ManHealth. ManHealth is a charity focussed on helping and raising awareness of mental illness and suicide amongst men. Simply walking this route in walking trousers and a ‘Rab’ jacket wasn’t enough for re-enactor, Lewis Kirkbride. To demonstrate the mental challenges faced by not only a soldier of Harold’s army, but also to symbolise the mental burden and illness can become he conducted the march in 25kg of armour, as a member of the Saxon Fryyd (Army) would have been equipped.
Lewis set off with the goal of raising £10,660, he smashed this target as early as the 2nd of October, only a few days into his march. By the time he reached Battle Abbey (Hastings battlefield) he had raised over a staggering £20,000. He marched no matter
the weather, hopping town to town along the same roman road Harold took, down the east of England. On the 6th of October Lewis was due to set off from Papworth Everard and walk 14.9 Miles to Royston along Ermine Street, a roman road that originally stretched from London to Lincoln.
Being a re-enactor myself, I had been tracking his long walk south and I finally had a time I could show solidarity and march alongside for a leg of his journey. Knowing how important mental wellbeing is considered in the army of today, what the mental strain of operations and service life can be, I felt proud to represent the uniform of today beside that of our ancestors 950 years ago. The journey to me was made even more special, the town we were marching to was in fact my hometown, and so gave myself a great feeling of pride to walk through it with him. Luckily the weather stayed dry most of the day and carrying 50kg of kit between the pair of us we made Royston in good time. The journey from Bassingbourn to Royston was full of car beeps, waves and people saying hello. We finished the walk at the Royse stone, the name sake for the town it is a large stone in which a large cross once sat. This marks the Roman crossroads that sit in the centre of Royston. Numerous passers-by stopped
to chat, and we received several donations on the spot. Eventually we were rained off and sought sanctuary in the local drinking establishment for a well-deserved soft drink.
On the walk myself and Lewis talked extensively about the mental challenges faced by service life, the systems in place to help, and how we manage it in our own way. Lewis was extremely happy to hear of the support the military gives, whether it be a quick chat to your section commander, or formal support from DCMH (Defence Centre for Mental Health). I stressed that mental fitness and physical fitness are as important as each other, and in the dynamic world we serve within, it’s okay to not be okay. I was extremely proud to accompany Lewis and was proud to represent all that serve today along side him. Lewis said marching with me was a true highlight of his entire journey and continues to raise money post-walk as news spreads on TV of his accomplishment.
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