Armed Forces Community

“Having joined the Army in 1978, I served for nine years as a Rifleman in the Royal Green Jackets. This included four tours of Northern Ireland during the latter part of the Troubles and 18 months on Public Duties in London. During my time with the Army I got the opportunity to travel to Germany and Belize, where I successfully completed the arduous Jungle Warfare course, Canada and the Falklands. My tour of the Falklands formed part of the first unit that deployed after the hostilities had ceased and duties included minefield clearance, cadaver clearance and supporting the orderly repatriation of troops to the UK from Port Stanley.

As much as I enjoyed my military career, I decided to leave after getting married and starting a family. I didn’t qualify for resettlement as I hadn’t served for long enough and being in the infantry, I had no recognised civilian trade. So, I decided to retrain in construction and ended up training as a pipe fitter/plumber. From that, I was employed as a fitters’ mate for an M&E company who eventually trained me as a combustion engineer.

My journey with Gratte Brothers began when they bought my previous employer, AG Manly, in 2000 and transferred me across. I now hold the position of Engineering Supervisor at Gratte Brothers Specialist Services. I’ve found that my military service has benefited me in civilian work through my enhanced understanding of teamwork, accountability and responsibility. Other skills I developed through the military such as the respect of seniority & authority, and the ability to adapt to constantly changing situations have also helped me immensely in my civilian career to date.”

“Having wanted to join the Army since the age of sixteen I decided to follow my dream and passed the three-day Army Officer Selection Board whilst at University. After graduating, I attended and completed the one-year Officer Training Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst which resulted in gaining my Commission as part of the Sovereign’s Platoon. After Sandhurst I went on to complete the 3-month Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course to prepare me for my duties as a junior Infantry Officer within the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

During my time in 2PWRR I was deployed across the UK, Belgium, USA, and Cyprus. In addition, I served on two Operational tours, the first was a winter tour in 2000 as part of the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and the second in Northern Ireland in 2001. My last posting before leaving the Army was as an Instructor at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick where the team and I instructed young soldiers through their Phase 2 Infantry training. Having thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Army I decided to leave after 5 years to get married and start a family.

My early career after leaving the Army consisted largely of working in Defence related PFI Building Services contracts including MOD Main Building in Whitehall, Colchester Garrison, BAE Systems in Farnborough and Leonardo Helicopters (then AgustaWestland) in Yeovil. In 2019, an opportunity arose at Gratte Brothers which I jumped at and I have not looked back since. What sets Gratte Brothers apart from the rest, in my opinion, is the respect and comradery of the teams. As a family-owned company they have the feel of a tight-knit unit, making each individual feel like they’re part of something. Furthermore, the family leads from the front, being active, present and approachable to all.”