16 Regt Royal Artillery
In March 2024, I had the amazing opportunity to capture a moment that I will hold quite dear to me for the rest of my life, and that incredible experience would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Stu Hay RA, and WO1 RSM Dave Stevenson-Ball. They graciously agreed to allow me to photograph my very first Regimental group portrait of a unit I had spent a significant amount of time with during my Military career. The picturesque location for the shoot was Thorney Island, a stunning spot nestled on the scenic south coast, situated conveniently between the vibrant cities of Portsmouth and Chichester. The image below is the final selection that the unit decided upon for the prominent walls of RHQ, and it was taken on the Airfield, with the marvellous backdrop of the charming sailing club and the magnificent South Downs majestically rising in the distance.
The Unit originally requested two distinct compositions, with the first one centered on the Airfield, which seamlessly connects them to the breathtaking Island and its stunningly diverse countryside. The second composition was intended to be more innovative and think out of the box. After careful consideration, I opted for Portsmouth Harbour, featuring its iconic landmark, The Spinnaker Tower. Additionally, taking into account the unit’s strong ties to the local area, I specifically selected Falkland Gardens, which poignantly connects to the unit’s long-standing deployment in the Falklands Islands, supporting British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) through air defence operations. It felt remarkably fitting to reflect on the fact that nearly 40 years ago, the UK set sail with her forces in defence of those very Islands, which this unit is helping to protect even to this present day. After extensive discussions and deliberations between the two images, the Unit ultimately decided to grant the Officers and Soldiers the opportunity to purchase either photograph, allowing them to carry a piece of this significant history with them.
Thank you 16RA for another lasting memory.
