COLCHESTER’S very own frontline paratroopers have described the Parachute Regiment as “the best place to be” after the unit celebrated its 80th anniversary.
Captain Elliot Sanderson, officer commanding of the 3rd Battalion’s patrols platoon, has been part of the historic Parachute Regiment for three years.
He is currently based at Merville Barracks at Colchester Garrison and attended the regiment’s birthday ceremony, which commemorated its eight decades of service.
Last August Elliot was part of the huge operation in Afghanistan for which he helped evacuate 15,000 people fleeing Kabul following a Taliban invasion.
He said: “It was as crazy as you can imagine but a good experience to see the lads pull together in a difficult and complex environment - there was no time to sleep.
“The Parachute Regiment is the best place to be in the Army and the opportunities to get away and explore the world are endless.
“Days like today are important because we have closed gates, so it is really good to welcome the families and veterans in to see what we do.”
Sergeant Taylor, 37, also stationed at Colchester Garrison, has been part of the Army for sixteen years having joined during the Afghanistan and Iraq period.
READ MORE: Colchester Garrison celebrates Parachute Regiment's 80th birthday
He added: “There are bad things that happen, but it is exciting and gives you a bit of an adventure and overall it is a good experience – I wanted to explore the world.
“It is really important to celebrate the 80th anniversary and great to get some involvement from families so they can get an insight into what we do at work.
“Being part of the Parachute Regiment is a good job and a stable career and it can really help young men from perhaps less privileged backgrounds.”
Amy Clarke attended the 80th anniversary celebration with her children and husband, who is a paratrooper with the regiment’s 3rd Battalion.
She said: “The children love it and it is really nice for everyone to come together and for the families to be involved because this does take up a big chunck of their lives.
“Events like this are so important because otherwise you just feel you are excluded from it really so it is really, really nice for the families to involved.”
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