Gainsborough father of three recalls stories of his time in the Armed Forces
A military musician from Gainsborough shares their experience in the Forces this Remembrance Sunday
Last updated 13th Nov 2022
This Remembrance Sunday, a Lincolnshire veteran recalls their experience with in Armes Forces as a part of the military band.
Ian Bradley, 53, has been a member of the Armed Forces for over 24 years, first joining as a bugler, a part of the military band before being commissioned later in life.
The Gainsborough veteran said it was his "plan A for life".
Settling in was "hard", but when he looks back now, he says the comradery of the troops is amazing, including those of the enemy.
His two grandfathers fought in the Second World war and relatives of Ian died in the first world war. He speaks of the significance of this month:
"I think this is my chance to pay it back to those people, who gave me the freedoms that I've got today, and equally, also remember those throughout the years I served that didn't make it through the conflict, and those of modern wars. Also, I think it's more important that we stop and pause as a community, and get together, and that getting together to remember; men, women, and the victims of war, is very important."
He adds that it's still challenging to see images of war, particularly from the war in Ukraine. He says the "devastation, the destruction, the death, the waste" reminds him of his childhood, growing up during the Cold War.
"The emotions towards those that are fighting, I understand that fully. It's not some whacking great adventure and jolly hockey stick and that kind of stuff. It's frightening, it's messy, it's dirty, it's scary, and I don't wish that on any human being, including my children and even those that are fighting today, and those that join the Armed Forces. War is not pretty, and no one wins from a war. You know, an idea may be won, an idea may be lost. But the damage and the destruction, that is horrendous, and that goes on for years."
Ian is a father of three boys, one 15, and twins that are 14, he says his biggest challenge so far has been becoming a father:
"It's the most rewarding job I've had, my boys were born in 2007, and 2008 so they know nothing about my military side of life."
He says that he wishes for people to stop and pause today and remember those people that died for them to have this moment, and that war is a worldwide event:
"It is horrible, scary, and no one ever wins, the injuries are carried forwards whether they're physical or mental for generations and generations."