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Noel Swales

My Frontline Walk 2024

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My Activity Tracking

65
mi

My target 100 mi

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Reach My Goal

Raised

£765 + £176.82 GiftAid

My Goal

£250

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My Updates

Tedworth House, Tidworth, Wiltshire

Former home to Help for Heroes, now run by Defence Recovery. A timely place to end my walk and remember those who have been and continue to be troubled by more recent conflicts.

Do nothing

No digging. No tanks. No trucks. I’m not sure what you can do on Salisbury plain if you cannot do those things. 😆💂‍♂️

Their name liveth evermore

Serjeant King, 1942

Private Tolman, 1916

Bulford cemetery

Day four

5.02km (50 push-ups), still and chilly autumnal day. Noting tomorrow is Remembrance Sunday I visited the commonwealth war graves cemetery in Bulford this afternoon. The majority of graves are WW1 for Canadian and Australian and New Zealand soldiers. There are several Royal Artillery and Army Service Corps graves, unsurprising given the plain is also home to the Royal Artillery. What is surprising are the ages - young and old. This evening I will be cleaning my and my wife’s medals in memory of others’ sacrifice yesterday and today and a nod to those who will do so in the future. 

Day three

5km (50 push-ups) along the southern transit route west of Larkhill. Weather best described as dank. Armoured vehicles out and about include Warrior, Bulldogs, and Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) - looking forward to seeing some real wagons from the Royal Armoured Corps 😜 

Attack recce!!

Last time I was this close to the bottom of one of these it was a US marine corps bird firing with its 30mm shells falling on top of us. The shells are hot - not a good idea to let one slip down between your helmet and body armour 😆

Army Air Corps fly past

This way

The story of Kiwi Hill

The Kiwi monument to New Zealanders based at Bulford in WW1

Autumnal leaves at the foot of Kiwi Hill

Day two

Dry and cloudy. Lovely autumnal colours in the woods at the foot of Kiwi Hill in Bulford. I even got a fly past from an Apache Helicopter of the Army Air Corps 😆 day one it was the cattle who took a knee - looking forward to what deference is paid on day three 🫡 

Cattle taking a knee upon my arrival

Warning!

Bulford commonwealth war graves cemetery

Day one

6.7km (70 press-ups 💪). Straight out the back garden on to the plain. Clear dry weather, lots of armour on the plain and plenty of cattle too. Stopped at the commonwealth war graves cemetery that is at the back of the garden. Leaves being cleared ahead of Remembrance Day. 

if it ain’t raining, it ain’t training

Almost twenty years ago (December 2004) I commissioned from Sandhurst in to 1st Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, soon after I moved across to The Light Dragoons. After twenty years of life changing highs and lows from, patrolling on foot in Belfast to leading a US Army Battlegroup NATO road move across Europe and all those other countries and people (good and bad) in between it is time to leave. 
As I move on to my next adventure I wanted to take some time to reflect on my journey. What better way to reflect than walking 100km around Salisbury Plain Training Area; the place where the Army trains for so many operations that I have experienced. 
My reflection is not just about me. My grandfather Colonel WA Swales MC was one of the small number who fought the full horror of WW1 and WW2. I know little of his experiences but I imagine as two soldiers we would share many stories with humour and respect. We share not just a name but a bond as soldiers who have witnessed the very best and worst of times in the military. For my 100km I will not be carrying heavy weights or wearing fancy dress (it’s too much admin!!), instead I will be thinking of those of who have served, those that do serve and those that will serve. However, to ensure I don’t take it too leisurely I will do ten press-ups every kilometre (1000 push-ups over the period) - sun’s out guns out 😆💪

Any donations will be greatly appreciated by ABF and myself.

Many thanks,
Noel 

Thank you to my Sponsors

£260

Jake Rugge-price

Strong work. Great cause!

£100

Lucy, Jason And The Gang

Super challenge! What a great idea! Well done and good luck! x

£52

Nick Hunter & Debs Benjafield

Good luck Noel!! You'll smash it! Look forward to seeing those guns!

£52

Sgl

Amazing work that man - as always!

£52

John Strijdom

£52

Nick Moffat

Keeping tabbing chap. Great work and all the best with it. N

£32.10

Bridgitte Swales

Go on, Noel! Sending energy and strength for your challenge 💪🏻xx

£31.20

David Henretty

£26

Robin And Benazir Swales

Best wishes from Oz.

£26

Duncan Reader

Good effort Noel.

£25

Roland Forbes

Enjoy your walks. Great cause.

£25

Wendy & Paul

Great challenge to take on 🫶Love Wes & Pes

£16.20

Noel Swales

£15.60

Luke Tory

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Our Team