Uniform to Work Day

Thursday 17th of July 2008 02:39:53 PM

Yesterday marked the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army and members celebrated the event by wearing their TA uniforms to work. There were a vast array of people who wore the TA uniforms, which surprised many of the customers that they came into contact with. Workers varied from shop workers to white van drivers. These were just some of the people across Worcestershire who ditched their civvies for the day and went to work wearing their Territorial Army uniform.

Uniform to Work Day was organised as part of many of the ongoing celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army. Prime Minister Gordon Brown also held a reception at 10 Downing Street yesterday in honour of the celebrations.

There were many positive reactions received from people as they encountered the workers who were proudly wearing their uniforms yesterday. Staff sergeant Martin Underwood said he got a lot of good feedback from people. Underwood has been a TA volunteer for more than 20 years. He also owns Job Togs in The Tything, Worcester.

Mr Underwood, aged 43, of Warndon Villages, said Uniform to Work Day was a good way to raise the profile of the part-time force in the community. He said, “A lot of my customers didn’t know I was in the TA and now they look at you in a different light. It’s been a great conversation starter with people saying ‘I was in the Army, I have done this’.”

According to Major Stuart Reid, “Many people when they think of the TA think of Dad’s Army and we are not like that. We are a very lean, modern, and important part of the British forces.”

Major Reid has been involved with organising TA100 events locally. He said the event was also about provoking discussion and debate. The event is considered to be successful.

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