Dual role sees bus driver become cadet commander by night

BY DAY, James Shemmeld can usually be found ferrying thrill seekers around Alton Towers in his trusty bus.

But at night, James pulls on his Combat 95s in his role as Detachment Commander and instructor at Staffordshire Army Cadet Force in Cheadle.

And James, aged 30, of Leek, wore his fatigues to work on Friday in support of the Reserve Forces annual wear Uniform to Work Day.

Although he resisted an early urge to join the regular Army, Sgt Shemmeld has retained a life long passion for military life and is dedicated to his job instructing the 32 strong detachment which parades weekly at the Cadet centre in Leek Road, Cheadle.

He said: "I have been in the Army Cadet Force since I was 13 – but then when I was 18 I decided to become an adult instructor and have never looked back.

"And although I have only been in this job at Alton Towers Resort for the last nine months, I can safely say it is still the best job I have ever had.

"Everybody here wants to work together, it's just one big happy family together and my employers could not be more supportive and are always there to help.

"As soon as I told them about my commitment to the cadets during some evenings and weekends they were just totally supportive."

James, who is married to Lyndsay and has two daughters, Chloe, five, and Ellie, three, parades at Cheadle ACF twice a week.

He added: "When I first asked my employers if could come in to work and drive my bus dressed in my Army Cadet uniform I think they were a bit shocked.

"But then they saw the potential of it to recognise the work of the reserve and regular forces and add support Armed Forces Day, and they were all for it.

"The problem is that I think these days so many people don't realise anything about our Armed Forces.

"All people tend to see in the media is somebody in the desert with a gun shooting someone – and what they need to realise is there are lots of real people who do lots of valuable jobs."

As part of his commitment to Alton Towers Resort, James has also put his fitness and all around military skills to go good use to become a member of the Alton Towers Rescue and Evacuation team – who train to rescue people if rides such as the Sky Ride break-down.

He said: "Here at Alton Towers Resort we carry out mock rescues twice a month, and I am part of a team who will climb a line and abseil into gondolas to rescue and evacuate people if it ever becomes necessary – luckily so far I have not had to put my skills to the test."

Last year's Uniform to Work Day (UTWD) which saw Reserve Forces personnel from the Navy, Army and RAF turning up at their civilian workplaces dressed in their military uniforms, was such a huge success it has now become an annual event.

The event on Friday took place ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday in honour of Britain's Armed forces, past, present and future.