George’s military training began with the territorial army when he enlisted with The Queens Own Highlanders but it wasn’t long before he was yearning for more challenge and excitement. 15 Para, a Scottish TA Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, provided just that. He was badged at Aldershot after successfully completing P Company and was presented with the coveted Para wings on completion of his parachute training at RAF Brize Norton.
His activities attracted the attention of The Unit, a paramilitary unit that specialises in solving international child abduction cases. He was recruited and became involved in gathering intelligence for snatch operations in hostile environments. One such operation, Snatch 02M2, a Special Forces operation to rescue three kidnapped children from the Lebanon, was the focus of frenzied media attention in Norway. The mediaop was aimed at securing the rights of abducted children and consequently laws were changed accordingly.
George is still active with The Unit.
My Dad trained at Aldershot in England when he started his mandatory 2 year stint around 1948 or so. Would that be the same Aldershot where you were badged? There is also an Aldershot here in Nova Scotia that is an army training centre. Small world hey?
The Aldershot your Dad trained at is the same Aldershot where I made it through P Company and was handed a red beret when I was with 15 para. No idea how they managed to nick the place and ferry it over there though.