Andrew Hogg

 

To champion Reservists, the Army Reserve launched a campaign to celebrate the great work they do and demonstrate the opportunities on offer for recruits.
The campaign was launched regionally at Newcastle Central Station on Saturday 29th November, when six soldiers from 102 Battalion REME, based at Aycliffe, known as “The Northern Craftsmen” took turns inside a life-sized copy of a box of a well known “action figure”.   The box was designed to show the versatility of the Army Reservist and how reserve service can compliment and enhance their civilian employment.  It certainly caught the eye of commuters at Newcastle on Saturday with many pausing to inquire about the “man in the box”.  One of those taking part was Craftsman Andrew Hogg from Bishop Auckland.
Craftsman Andrew Hogg is 30 years old and is employed as a Fitter and Maintenance Engineer at Berendsen UK Ltd based in Durham, where he is responsible for keeping the industrial washing machines and dryers working throughout the week.
Andrew joined 102 Battalion REME in January 2012 because, “I needed a challenge and I knew that within the Army Reserve I would be able to keep myself fit and meet like minded people.  I wasn’t disappointed.”
After discussing all the options open to him within the Battalion, Andrew decided to train as an Armourer within 124 Recovery Company.
“I already had a good level of engineering skills when I joined and wanted to specialise in something outside of my day to day work.  I was fascinated in the mechanics involved in developing and maintaining the Army’s weapons, so becoming an Armourer was the obvious choice for me.”
Since joining  “The Northern Craftsmen”, Andrew has qualified to become an Armourer Class 2, and has already deployed to Canada on Exercise DARK HORSE where, along with other members of the Battalion he undertook equipment maintenance on behalf of the regular army’s winter repair programme.
Andrew enjoys the support of his employer, Berendsen UK, (formerly Sunlight Services) and the company proudly display their “Supportive Employer” certificate in the foyer of the business.
Andrew said, “Work has been really good about my being in the Army Reserve.  In 2012 they were really happy to let me take part in the ‘Uniform to Work Day’ when I turned up in my combat uniform.  The girls loved it too.”
Andrew’s father, John, is also a former member of the Territorial Army and served for many years as a member of the RAMC TA.
Asked what he liked most about service with the Army Reserve, Andrew was quick to respond:
“I like everything about it.  I have made loads of friends and together we have taken part in running & cycling events, including the Para 10 (a gruelling 10 mile cross country), Man Vs Mountain and the Newcastle Stampede.  I have never been fitter.  My service doesn’t end when the weekend is over, we keep in touch and do stuff together, I just love it.”
102 Battalion REME, ‘The Northern Craftsmen’ have companies across the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside.  They specialise in Mechanical Engineering and vehicle recovery.  Alongside their paired regular army unit based in Catterick, the battalion are responsible for keeping the Army moving at home and abroad.