A team of armed forces veterans from Salisbury have returned from a week-long trip to Gibraltar, where they helped to restore an iconic piece of militaria.
Sitting on top of the Mediterranean rock, Lord Airey’s Battery is an element of Gibraltar’s heritage, having been built by British troops in 1891 and seen service throughout both world wars.
Since being decommissioned 1976, the gun has fallen into disrepair and is now the subject of a renovation project led by military historian Pete Jackson, trustee of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust.
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Each of the veterans who took part has experienced difficulties in their civilian lives which have included being homeless, in debt, loss of employment, addiction as well as struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
The team of veterans came from Alabaré, a charity supporting vulnerable veterans and those who have experienced homelessness since leaving the military.
The Alabaré team worked under Pete’s guidance for five days, significantly moving the restoration forward and helping to preserve this piece of militaria for years to come.
Matt, a Royal Navy veteran who took part, said: “I had a brilliant time in Gibraltar. I have realised that there are some things in this world that you just can’t buy.
“We achieved more things in one week than some do in a lifetime. We improvised and overcome no matter what the situation. I learnt to never give up on hope.”
The Gibraltar Veterans Heritage Project is being run as part of Alabaré’s “Boots on the Ground” programme, which promotes and encourages veterans’ mental and physical well-being through outdoor activity.
This is the third consecutive year that a team from veterans’ charity Alabaré will have helped restore militaria in Gibraltar.
Simon Frith, Alabaré’s wellbeing enterprise manager, said: “Projects like this have some incredibly profound impact on those taking part and are so much more than you’d assume at first glance.
"For some the trip becomes that light bulb moment that then opens the door to thinking about a bigger future and that they gain a lot when they get back out in the World and their comfort zones."
Claire Montado, Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, added: “This project is helping to revitalise and preserve a protected historical military structure which additionally enhances Gibraltar’s Tourist offering, but it is also contributing to the improved wellbeing of military veterans.”
Alabaré would also like to thank Peter Jackson MBE, HM Government of Gibraltar, Greenwich Hospital, Gibraltar Naval Trust, Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society, Wright Tech Media, the Salisbury and Amesbury Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club for all their support in making the project possible.
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