This post will be picture heavy as it is my favourite images from all the jobs I have been on as a British Army Photographer this year (2015).

This is my first year as a 'media' photographer since leaving the Defence School of Photography (DSOP) as I spent the first two years as a photographer instructing photography to Tri-Service personnel. I started at the Army Press Office Wales and West Midlands in March this year. I cover all aspects of Army life in the West Midlands and its soldiers whether it be training in the UK or abroad.

This was my 2015.

Scroll down and enjoy!

11SIGX WMID-001-014.jpgSgt Johnson Beharry VC waits with Bill Speakman VC for the Prime Minister David Cameron to arive.



Prime Minister David Cameron today joined Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, senior military representatives and overseas and UK dignitaries at a paving stone unveiling ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum honouring 145 foreign servicemen awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.



Colonel Richard Maybery, Deputy Commander of 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, responsible for the command and administration of troops across the West Midlands and the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson, joined 60 military cadets from all three services, who also attended the ceremony.



Crown Copyright: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

This was my first job at AMC WMIDS. It was a VC stone unveiling at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford. Pictures is Sgt Johnson Beharry VC with Bill Speakman VC waiting for the Prime Minister David Cameron to arrive.

ARMY HQ-2015-050-OP TRACTABLE CAD-225-TJ.JPG3rd (United Kingdom) Division ‘Combined Arms Demonstration’ on Salisbury Plain



The British Army has been holding a major divisional exercise (Exercise ‘Tractable’) across Salisbury Plain throughout March 2015. The exercise is designed to test the ability of 3rd (UK) Division’s ‘Lead Armoured Task Force’ to deploy on potential future overseas operations.



It has seen the movement of around 1,800 personnel and approximately 730 vehicles, including heavy armour. Over the past two weeks the troops have deployed from their barracks across the UK, via a centralised Mounting Centre on Salisbury Plain, to air and sea points of embarkation.



The exercise concluded with a Combined Arms Demonstration on Salisbury Plain by troops from 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade, 3rd (UK) Division’s current brigade held ‘at readiness’. Led by the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (1 YORKS) Battle Group, and including many of the vehicles taking part on Exercise ‘Tractable’, the demonstration consisted of three distinct phases – a simulated defence, attack and obstacle crossing – and ended with a final drive past of the vehicles involved in the demonstration.







Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC A week later I was at HQ Land to do some refresher training. Whilst I was there we went along to the Combined Arms Demonstration on Salisbury Plain. In other words it was a capability demo.

11SIGX-WMID-008-147.JPGTwo Army regiments swapped roles during a Royal Gun Salute to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday.





Exercise Tarik Dragon saw an exchange between The Royal Gibraltar Regiment and 104 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Raglan Barracks, Newport.





Thomson’s Battery The Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) fired the 21-Gun Salute at Cardiff Castle to celebrate the Queen’s birthday, while, in turn, 104 Regt RA fired the Royal Salute at Grand Battery House Gibraltar.





The iconic city landmark saw a good-sized crowd turn out to enjoy the occasion under a bright blue sky as musicians from The Band of The Queen's Division played before and after the salute at midday.





Major Ian Martinez, Quartermaster (Technical) for RG, said: "This is such a privilege because it's the first time we've had the pleasure to fire a Royal salute here at Cardiff Castle. We've experienced salutes at the Tower of London and Edinburgh Castle before, but not in Wales, so this is a nice first for us.





"We have a good connection with 104Rgt so it made sense for us to arrange such an exchange."





Captain Helen Jasper, Officer Commanding 104Rt RA, C Troop 211 Battery, said: "The total number for each exchange was about 30 personnel and there is great pride in what we do. This has been a good experience for both units."





The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Margaret Jones and the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Dr Beck attended.





The troops are all members of the Army Reserve and take great pride in wearing the number one ceremonial dress uniform of the Glamorgan Yeomanry. C Troop 211 Battery forms part of the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers), whose headquarters is located at Raglan Barracks in Newport.



The 21-gun salute was be fired by three of the troop’s 105mm light guns using blank ammunition.



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Whilst the Brecon phot was in BATUS (Canada) I was tasked on a few jobs to cover for him. This is Thomson’s Battery The Royal Gibraltar Regiment fired the 21-Gun Salute at Cardiff Castle to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.

11SIGX WMID-2015-009-115.JPGEX GRIFFIN SPANNER





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC 11SIGX WMID-2015-009-473.JPGEX GRIFFIN SPANNER





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC 11SIGX WMID-2015-009-269.JPGEX GRIFFIN SPANNER





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Members of 10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment Fitter section practice recovery of a Abbott 105 Self Propelled Gun on Exercise Griffin Spanner.







Craftsman Chris Wood took the lead as the only Recovery mechanic in the section. They were tasked to recover the Gun from its bogged in state using their MAN SV(R) to complete the task.







Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright I spent a few weekends at Swynerton and Nescliffe training areas covering Exercise GRIFFIN SPANNER for the REME. I was up to my knees in mud at some points but got some great shots from the exercise.

11SIGX WMID-2015-010-015.JPGThose who gave their lives serving with the Armed Forces last year were remembered today (Mon 18 May) at a special service in Staffordshire.







The annual event to dedicate the names of those killed on duty has taken place at National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas. The service at the Armed Forces Memorial was attended by the families of the 12 servicemen that were killed in 2014. The names, which were individually read aloud during the service, were engraved onto the memorial’s wall during the past month.







Those remembered were;





Royal Navy

Neal Edmonds





Army

Adam Moralee

Jayaram Puri

Rajat Gurung

Thomas Clarke

Spencer Faulkner

Oliver Thomas

James Walters

Cameron Laing

Mark Foley

Gregory Rodan





Royal Air Force

Rakesh Chauhan







Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

This shot is from a service or remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum for those who lost their lives on duty.

11th Signal & West Midlands Brigade posted a reception of local civiv dignitaries, military VIPs and Brigade personalities at the officers mess on veining barracks.



The evening was to thank the local community for their support to the Military and dependents that reside in the area.



The evening saw Soldiers from the Queens Ghurka Signals Dancers perform for the guests with music from The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals, The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals brass quintet and The Band of The Parachute Regiment.





the evening was finished off with a "Beating Retreat' with a fly past from a Police helicopter.





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright 11th Signal & West Midlands Brigade posted a reception of local civilian dignitaries, military VIPs and Brigade personalities at the officers mess on Venning barracks.

Presentation of Colours to The Royal Weksh by Her Majesty The Queen Elizebeth the Second Colonel-in-Chief Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Another trip down to Wales, this time to the Millennium stadium in Cardiff for the presentation of the new colours the The Royal Welsh.

The Army performed its finest display of military pageantry to celebrate the Official Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen today on Horse Guards Parade in London. The Army performed its finest display of military pageantry to celebrate the Official Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen today on Horse Guards Parade in London.







One thousand one hundred soldiers from the Household Division were joined by almost 250 immaculately groomed military horses, six blindingly polished First World War 13-Pounder Guns and 350 military musicians at the ancient annual ceremony known as Trooping the Colour.







The Royal family watched from the balcony of Wellington’s office, and more than 8,500 guests including the Prime Minister, foreign dignitaries, and Defence Chiefs of Staff, filled the stands on Horse Guards, while tens of thousands of the public lined the route, as The Royal Colonels: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, and The Princess Royal, accompanied Her Majesty in stately procession down the Mall to inspect the Parade.







The Queen’s Birthday Parade, more popularly known as Trooping the Colour, is a great British tradition and one of the most complex and labour intensive events the military stages. Countless hours of planning and preparation go into making sure that the final result is as close to perfection as humanly possible in honour of Her Majesty, their Colonel in Chief.









Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Prince George with his Dad, Mum and Grandparents.

The Army performed its finest display of military pageantry to celebrate the Official Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen today on Horse Guards Parade in London. The Army performed its finest display of military pageantry to celebrate the Official Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen today on Horse Guards Parade in London.







One thousand one hundred soldiers from the Household Division were joined by almost 250 immaculately groomed military horses, six blindingly polished First World War 13-Pounder Guns and 350 military musicians at the ancient annual ceremony known as Trooping the Colour.







The Royal family watched from the balcony of Wellington’s office, and more than 8,500 guests including the Prime Minister, foreign dignitaries, and Defence Chiefs of Staff, filled the stands on Horse Guards, while tens of thousands of the public lined the route, as The Royal Colonels: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, and The Princess Royal, accompanied Her Majesty in stately procession down the Mall to inspect the Parade.







The Queen’s Birthday Parade, more popularly known as Trooping the Colour, is a great British tradition and one of the most complex and labour intensive events the military stages. Countless hours of planning and preparation go into making sure that the final result is as close to perfection as humanly possible in honour of Her Majesty, their Colonel in Chief.









Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

One of the highlights of the year was photographing The Queen's Birthday parade in London. I was positioned on the QVM right outside of Buckingham Palace.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Another job in Wales to cover a community covenant tasking for 160 Brigade. This was at St Faggins, a lovely stately home with beautiful gardens.

Reservists from 159 Supply Regiment practice their military skills during a training weekend in Leek.





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

I spent one Sunday afternoon at Leek training area. My time there lasted 20 minutes. at the end of the first serial I fell over in a river and submerged my Nikon D4 and 24-70mm. They went in a bag of rice and got sent back for repair. I was back to using a D3 again after that.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

For Armed Forces day I was tasked to take pictures of Reserves in their workplace in uniform. BAE Systems was only down the road and a willing volunteer I was good to go with this shot of Crafstman Luci Smitheman.

Members were offered a taste of Army life in the centre of Birmingham as part of Reserves Day



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Uniform to work day was renamed to 'Reserves day' this year. The event was in the Council buildings in Birmingham city centre. Members of the public offered a taste of Army life from presentations to team building activities outdoors.

The Royal Welsh Show



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Another Job for 160X. I was at The Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells. Here is The Band of The Royal welsh getting to playing live on radio.

DEDICATION OF ROYAL ARMY CHAPLAINS DEPARTMENT MEMORIAL





The contribution of Army chaplains has been marked with the unveiling of a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum,

Staffordshire.







The ceremony was attended by more than 200 people including most of the serving Army chaplains, guest of honour Commander Land Forces, Lieutenant General James Everard CBE, who unveiled the memorial and Chaplain General, Reverend Doctor David G Coulter QCH CF who performed the dedication and conducted a service.







Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Another trip back to The National Memorial Arboretum this time with over 200 Army Chaplains for the dedication of their new memorial.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Another Job in Wales this time for the Army in Scotland, where 2 Scots were carrying out their final exercise before deploying to Afghanistan for OP TORAL.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Three Soldiers chilling out on the Hesco

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright The CO. I like the lighting on this image, It was all natural lighting as well. Just the right time of the day I gues

More than 300 Scottish soldiers have been making the most of a Welsh training area as preparation for a mission to Kabul.





2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) left their base at Glencorse Barracks in Penicuik, near Edinburgh, to complete an intensive final week of training for their latest role, supporting training for the Afghan National Army.





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

This was the final part of the training. A simulated public order serial where the soldiers had to deal with a RTC in a highly populated area typically found in Kabul.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

This was a good job. I was covering for Army East Midlands for the homecoming of 1 Royal Anglian from OP TORAL in Afghanistan.

It was great to see all the loved ones welcoming the soldiers home.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

I entered this image into the Army Phot comp for the online category. It came in at second place.

Raksha Bandhan is a major Hindu festival, symbolising bonds of mutual protection within families and within communities.





For Armed Forces Hindus, Raksha Bandhan holds particualr significance as it’s a chance to celebrate and emphasise the duty the Armed Forces have to protect their society.







Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC The Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple in Birmingham. This job was at Europe's biggest Hindu temple,

I did a blog post on this event- http://www.jonesmrjones.co.uk/blog/2015/8/armed-forces-hindu-network-host-raksha-bandhan-festival​

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

My next job was to head off to Croatia to cover 4 MERCIAN on EX SAVA STAR 15

More info on that trip here- http://www.jonesmrjones.co.uk/blog/2015/9/soldiers-snakes-and-stars-my-time-in-croatia-with-4th-battalion-the-mercian-regiment

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Another job for The Army in Scotland 4 Scots were off to Cyprus for OP TOSCA. They were in Nescliffe taking part in public order training.

EX FLYING FALCON on Salisbury plain. It was the biggest Royal Signals exercise in years. I do miss driving these things.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Another overseas trip, this time to Gibraltar covering 202 Field Hospital who are based all over the West Midlands. This shot was deep inside the rock where the soldiers were training.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC The Soldiers preparing to go into the village on the final assault.

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Two soldiers giving covering fire during the FIBUA phase of the EX

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

Whilst I was there the APTC football team were training. I thought it would be rude not to grab a few shots.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited MOD Stafford Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today visited MOD Stafford for a tour of the base which recently saw the completion of a £150 million programme of works to redevelop the site for soldiers and their families.



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Back in the UK and it was for Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited MOD Stafford.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited MOD Stafford Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today visited MOD Stafford for a tour of the base which recently saw the completion of a £150 million programme of works to redevelop the site for soldiers and their families.



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright The Band of The Royal Signals. Cambrian patrol 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Cambrian Patrol was next on my list of tasks to do. Cambrian patrol 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright This is one of my favourite images from the exercise. Got a nice double page spread of images in Soldier magazine with this. Cambrian patrol 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright We visited an old mental hospital. http://www.jonesmrjones.co.uk/blog/2015/10/urban-exploring-talgarth-mental-asylum-mid-wales-hospital Cambrian patrol 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Lieutenant General James Everard, Commander Land Forces, places the wreath at Pte Lewis' grave. Cambrian patrol 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright One of the many portraits I did whilst working on Cambrian Patrol. More info on them here- http://www.jonesmrjones.co.uk/blog/2015/10/cambrian-patrol-2015-portraits Cambrian patrol 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright http://www.jonesmrjones.co.uk/blog/2015/10/cambrian-patrol-2015-portraits London Poppy Day 2015



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright A quick job in London to help out the LONDIST Phot Rupert Frere for Poppy Day. 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade Christmas cake competition. 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade Christmas cake competition.





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright The Penultimate job of the year was the first 11 Signal and West Midlands Brigades Christmas cake competition.

I started off the year with a VC stone unveiling and finished off with one. This time it was in Birmingham and HRH The Duke of Cambridge was in attendance.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge attended a memorial service today at The Hall of Memory in Birmingham to commemorate VC recipients from The First World War.



The service celebrating the life and achievements of the men was attended by their relatives and families and also by dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Raymond Hassall, Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, Commander 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, The Right Rev David Urquhart, The Bishop of Birmingham as well as the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Col George Marsh (r'etd).





Pictured: The Duke of Cambridge at the unveiling of the commemorative VC paving stones.





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC The Duke of Cambridge at the stones.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge attended a memorial service today at The Hall of Memory in Birmingham to commemorate VC recipients from The First World War.



The service celebrating the life and achievements of the men was attended by their relatives and families and also by dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Raymond Hassall, Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, Commander 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, The Right Rev David Urquhart, The Bishop of Birmingham as well as the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Col George Marsh (r'etd).



Pictured: HRH The Duke of Cambridge signs the visitors book a Birmingham's Hall of Memory.





Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC

The Duke of Cambridge signs the guest book.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge attended a memorial service today at The Hall of Memory in Birmingham to commemorate VC recipients from The First World War.



The service celebrating the life and achievements of the men was attended by their relatives and families and also by dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Raymond Hassall, Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, Commander 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, The Right Rev David Urquhart, The Bishop of Birmingham as well as the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Col George Marsh (r'etd).







Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC This was an interesting story that I picked up on there. This gentleman had the front page of The Daily Mirror dated Feb 19th 1919. On the front page was his second cousin who was a posthumous recipient of the VC.

Not a bad year to be had to be honest!

Onwards and upwards to next year which is looking like a trip to Brunei for a few weeks. I'm sure I will tell you all about that when I am back!



Till then have a good time over the holidays!

Peace!