A TERRITORIAL Army (TA) soldier from Ellesmere Port played a key role in protecting the Olympic Games.
Captain Neil Bowdler, of 156 Transport Regiment, worked as part of the venue security team at Eton Dorney near Windsor in Berkshire, where the Olympic rowing and canoe sprint competitions took place.
Neil, 41, has been in the TA for 27 years and served in Cyprus as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
Neil works as a supervisor in the street cleaning and grounds maintenance department of Cheshire West and Chester Council.
At Eton Dorney he worked as a team leader in the personal screening area operated by reservist and regular soldiers in support of the police and the Home Office.
During his time at the Games he said: “I’m happy to be playing a small part in such a massive event as the Olympics.
“We’re here to make sure people are not bringing in restricted or prohibited items and that they have a safe and enjoyable day.
“We have been dealing with people from right across the world. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience. The general public have been very supportive of us.
“We’ve met many of the competitors when we have been out and about in Windsor. They have been very approachable and welcoming, especially when they find out we have been working on the gates.”
In total, 18,200 military personnel were involved in the police and civilian-led security effort for the Olympic Games.
The Army’s 156 Transport Regiment is part of the Royal Logistic Corps and has its headquarters in Allerton, Liverpool, with squadrons in Birkenhead, Salford and Bootle.
