Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 72
WELFARE
WELFARE
UPDATE
I’ve now been in the role as Rifles’ Head
of Welfare for 20 months and, each day,
I’m reminded how quickly and cruelly
life can change for people. Sadly life
has the potential to throw each and
everyone of us a curveball from nowhere
– impartially and without warning.
Fortunately, in this role and with the
funds available from the Rifles Benevolent
Trust – the Rifleman’s Charity – we are
able to support a number of our Serving
and Veteran community (and their
families). The Regiment can only continue
to do this by individuals signing up to the
Service Day’s Pay Giving Scheme (SDPG)
whilst they are serving.
It has been a great privilege to meet
some of those people the Regiment
has been able to help and one of those
individuals is happy to share his story.
Introducing Mark Campbell – what a
bloke. Mark, aged 47, was living life to the
full and loving it. Then, in September 2021,
all that changed….
Major Claire Hudson
Claire visiting Lt Col (Retd) Tony Collins
(ex Somerset LI) on the occasion of his
100th birthday
FROM RIFLEMAN
TO COLOUR
SERJEANT
A journey of service, challenge and resilience
Military life has always been part of my
family. My father served for 22 years in the
Army as a member of the Royal Corps of
Signals, and my grandfather served in the
Parachute Regiment, so joining the military
felt like a natural path for me.
I first enlisted at the age of 15 as a Boy
Soldier in the Devon and Dorset Regiment,
based at Shorncliffe Barracks in Kent. Like many
young soldiers, I was eager to begin my military
career and quickly discovered the values of
discipline, teamwork and resilience that would
remain with me throughout my service.
Although my first period of service was
relatively short, the Army had already got
under my skin. After spending several years
working in civilian jobs, including as a baker
and in the fibreglass industry, I rejoined the
Army at the age of 32. It turned out to be one
of the best decisions I ever made.
Over the next 17 years I had the privilege of
serving with some outstanding soldiers and
leaders. I started as a Rifleman and worked
my way steadily through the ranks, eventually
becoming a Colour Serjeant. Throughout my
career I embraced every challenge that came
my way and took pride in developing both
myself and the soldiers around me.
Outside of the Army, I was also an ultramarathon runner. Running
was my way of blowing
Claire and Mark
72 RIFLES The Bugle
Running
was my
way of
blowing
o昀昀 steam
and
helping
me deal
with the
stresses of
life. It gave
me focus,
discipline
and a
sense of
freedom
off steam and helping me deal with the
stresses of life. It gave me focus, discipline
and a sense of freedom, and it became an
important part of how I kept myself mentally
and physically strong.
During my service I completed operational
tours of Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 9
and Operation HERRICK 14. Like many who have
deployed on operations, those experiences
tested us physically and mentally, but they also
created friendships and memories that last
a lifetime. There is something unique about
serving alongside people who share the same
hardships and challenges.
One of the defining chapters of my career
was my time in Brunei, where I spent five
years teaching jungle warfare. I instructed UK
military personnel as well as foreign soldiers
and had the privilege of working alongside
some exceptionally capable people. It was
demanding work, but it was also some of the
most rewarding of my career.
Brunei became far more than just a posting.
What was initially intended to be a standard
tour developed into five incredible years. I
was fortunate enough to be invited back as
a guest instructor before eventually securing
a longer-term position. Living and working in
the Far East provided experiences that I never
imagined when I first joined the Army.
Later in my career I served as a Company
Quartermaster Serjeant (CQMS), a role that
gave me a different perspective on leadership,
responsibility and supporting soldiers. Every
appointment I held taught me something new
and helped shape the soldier and person I
became. By this stage I had completed all
of the necessary courses for promotion to
Warrant Officer and was looking forward to
taking the next step in my Army career. I had
plans, ambitions and goals that I was still
working towards.
Throughout my service I also subscribed to
the Service Day’s Pay Giving Scheme because
I believed strongly in giving something back.
The Rifles family has always looked after its
own, and I felt it was important to contribute to
that support. You never know when you may
need help yourself, and I am now living proof
