Soldiers cycle 2,300 miles in just 30 hours
Reservists smash charity target
RESERVIST soldiers from the Royal Artillery smashed all their targets as they pushed their bodies to breaking point during a gruelling charity fundraiser.
A team of 10 soldiers from 295 Battery, Royal Artillery, had set themselves an ambitious goal of cycling 1,600 miles between them in 36 hours in a bid to raise £1,000 for charity.
But the determined group of servicemen destroyed both targets with ease, notching up a stunning 2,302.5 miles in just 30 hours – raising about £1,800 in the process.
The incredible feat of endurance was organised in tribute to a battalion of territorial soldiers from
Gosport who were mercilessly slaughtered during a series of brutal jungle death marches at the end of the Second World War.
Major Colin McQuillan, 295 Battery’s commander, was among those taking part during the event, having recently recovered from a collapsed lung.
He said: ‘I’m immensely proud of everyone. Their stamina has really shone through.’
The epic challenge, staged at 295’s HQ in Peronne Road, Hilsea, was in memory of the men from 78th Light AntiAircraft (LAA) Battery, 35 Regiment, Royal Artillery.
The Second World War unit, made up of territorial soldiers similar to those in 295, were captured by the Japanese after having flown out from their base in Gosport to Singapore in 1942.
The 400-strong battery was among almost 2,500 Allied prisoners of war from fallen Singapore to be transferred by the Japanese to Sandakan, in northern Borneo, to build an airfield.
Over the years, prisoners were forced to march hundreds of miles through the dense jungle only to arrive at camps with few provisions.
Many were beaten, starved, and left ravaged by disease. Of the 2,434 British and Australian soldiers who were either living at the camps or sent out on the death marches, only six survived.
Lance Bombardier Kevin Rimington, of Southsea, was among those helping to organise the cycle ride, with teams of soldiers tackling hour-long stints.
The 52-year-old fitness fanatic, who grew up in Sandakan, said: ‘ The effort involved, particularly for those who are not regular cyclists, was colossal.
‘In typical army style, everyone rose to the challenge and pushed far harder than was ever envisaged.’