Sailor Adam’s ship-shape for the gun run

Adam Arthurs _ big guns

OLDHAM sailor Adam Arthurs will gun for glory today as he battles against the best in a fast and furious contest.

The Navy young gun, a former student at Counthill School and Oldham Sixth Form College, is part of a crack team chosen to represent HMS Raleigh in today’s Junior Leaders’ Field Gun competition.

The challenge will see 19-year-old Adam test his strength, stamina and team-work skills in the annual event, where each team has to run, dismantle, reassemble and fire a gun in the shortest possible time.

The trainee air engineering technician is on an 18-strong squad representing HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy’s premier training centre in the South-West.

He joined the Navy in April, and next week will be his last in a nine-week basic training course.

He said: “Being part of the field gun team is definitely one of the highlights of my training.

“I have really enjoyed all the physical aspects of basic training and the pace at which I have learnt and been transformed to become part of the Royal Navy.

“Completing the ever more challenging tasks set each day has given me a great deal of satisfaction.”

Held at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire, today’s contest is for 18 to 25-year-olds who are new to the Armed forces, or have just begun apprenticeships with major commercial organisations, such as Network Rail, BAE Systems and the Princes Trust.

Details of career opportunities with the Royal Navy are available online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk or from its recruitment line on 08456 07 55 55.