Army reservists join Bristol Balloon Fiesta

It's not often that you get to see hot air balloons on a battlefield. They're just not built for military encounters.

But as a battle rages at the centre of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, onlookers may have to suspend their disbelief slightly.

Reservists from the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserves and Royal Marine Reserves will be showcasing their skills in a capability demonstration at 3pm each day in the main arena area.

With war raging in Afghanistan, and Wootton Bassett regularly appearing on the news for all the wrong reasons, the military needs a PR boost, and where better than Europe's largest annual hot air balloon festival – which attracts thousands of adventurous souls each year.

"Our troops will recreate a full battle scene, which will even incorporate a helicopter rescue," explains Captain Lloyd Bath, a regular soldier for 26 years, now leading the 36 Signallers Territorial Army unit.

Cadets from all three services will also be present and a Royal Marine's band will also be playing.

Local people will also be able to meet with reservist units from across the South West in a "military village" at the event.

They will be able to meet young men like Signaller Adam Morris, 23, from Knowle, who joined the TA last August.

"I've wanted to join the Army for eight years," he says. "When I was at school one of my friends joined up and I was keen to follow him. It's always seemed like an exciting career. But in the end I decided to stay on at school and get some qualifications."

Adam, who now works at an online marketing company in the city, says the TA gave him the opportunity to get a taste of military life without actually signing up as a professional soldier.

He says: "Joining up is a big step, so it gives you the chance to see whether you like it before you're committed.

"Of course, you're aware of the dangers of the action in Afghanistan. But there are some risks that you're prepared to take if you want to pursue a military career. My attitude is that we all have to die at some time. If my number's up, well then it's up. I could get killed crossing the road in Bristol.

"My parents were worried when I first joined the TA, but they've seen how much I love being involved. I went to Gibraltar recently to take part in an exercise in tunnel warfare in the Rock, and I had a wonderful time.

"When I came home my mother said that she can see how much I enjoy the lifestyle, and she would support me if I wanted to move on to the next stage.

He adds: "I would like to volunteer to be mobilised at some point in the next couple of years. I do want to get the chance to see some action. After all, that's what you sign up for in the first place."

Sergeant Major Richard Sharp first joined the TA in 1985. The 36-year-old, has never volunteered to be mobilised for frontline action, but much of the signallers' role is UK-based.

"I saw some action in the rescue operation during the Gloucester floods in 2006," he explains. "We worked to ensure the communication was maintained between the police and the Army during the rescues."

Richard's day job is as a telephone systems technician at the Horfield HQ of the 36th Signallers.

He explains: "Often when people work in a civilian capacity within the Army, they also join the TA, because they're already so involved with military life. I joined the Air Training Corps while I was at school, so it seemed like a natural progression to join the TA when I was 17.

"At that time, I didn't know a lot about what the TA did, and I never could have imagined the sort of opportunities that being a reservist has given me over the years."

"From rock climbing and abseiling, to being trained to sail a yacht. I've been given the chance to do all sorts of things that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise," adds the 36-year-old from Clifton.

But it's not just the Army reservists that will be represented at the Fiesta over the weekend.

Royal Naval Reservist (RNR) Lieutenant Henry Watts, who is based at HMS Flying Fox in Winterstoke Road, is co-ordinating the RNR's input.

"People hear the word troops, and think entirely of soldiers," he says. "But actually the troops fighting in Afghanistan include men from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Airforce.

"People tend to know the TA but not the RNR, but that's because the TA has a force of 36,000 men compared to 2,000 men in the RNR."

"I work as a civil servant at Filton by day," Henry explains. "But being involved with the RNR has given me an added element of adventure in life.

"Six months ago, for example, I was lucky enough to spend time on HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean, to play my part in an exercise to practise landing troops on a beach in Turkey. It was a tremendous experience for me. I was involved with co-ordinating the landing craft.

"Full mobilisation can be met with those who volunteer for it. I would like to volunteer for mobilisation, though I'm getting married next year, so I'm going to wait until after the wedding. But ultimately, it would be brilliant to have had the experience of serving with the Royal Navy in a real theatre of combat."

● The reservists will perform their capability demonstration at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta at 3pm today, tomorrow and Sunday.