Slideshow: A taste of the army at TA open day

Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 060615 - Press - Batley TA Open Day - Batley TA Centre, Batley, England - Members of the 106 Field Squadron brandish their equipment.

The 106 Field Squadron Royal Engineers has set up in Intake Lane, and held exhibits, trade and weapon stands and demonstrations on Saturday, June 6.

The squadron is a reserve sub-unit and is part of 21 Engineer Regiment RE – a regular regiment based in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Regimental sub-unit support officer Dave Sanby thinks local employers can benefit from encouraging their staff to join the Reserves.

A unit in Bath Street, Dewsbury, closed 20 years ago following a fight to keep it open by Coun Eric Firth and then Dewsbury MP Ann Taylor.

Sergeant Tracie Ramus, Staff Sgt Darren Muff and Sgt Robert Noble, originally based at the old Dewsbury centre, are now returning to the area with the regiment.

Sgt Ramus said: “I joined 23 years ago at Bath Street in Dewsbury. That closed down and Ann Taylor and Eric Firth did their very best to keep it open.

“The whole unit had to go to a barracks in Bradford. It’s absolutely fantastic to be back because I live in Dewsbury, so it’s really good for me.”

The Royal Engineers serve alongside the Army, completing tasks like bridge building, road construction, clearing routes through minefields or using explosives to clear obstructions.

Members of the 106 Field Squadron line up for weapon training.

In addition, they may provide post-conflict reconstruction, humanitarian support in the form of water production, electrical supply and infrastructure.

Mr Sanby said that many skills learned in the Reserves can be transferred back into the general workplace.

Employers who want to learn about what the Reserves can offer their workers can call Captain John Walesby on 01765 632290.