The Forces March is based on a legendary 1942 training march which involved men of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who would go on to spearhead the entire D-Day liberation.
Following several weeks of gruelling PT on the North Devon coast, the soldiers were given one final task; to march back to their barracks at Bulford – over 130 miles away!
They completed this incredible feat in just five days. L/Sjt Raymond ‘Tich’ Rayner once said
“we started that march as boys and finished it as men!”.
The Veterans Charity first created The Forces March in 2010 and have held it nine times since. The 135-mile route starts in Ilfracombe and makes its way across Exmoor to the Quantock Hills, across the Somerset Levels and eventually over Salisbury Plain, finishing at Old Carter Barracks on Bulford.
Danny Greeno, CEO of The Veterans Charity said
“We are very excited to be able to host The Forces March once again and in the 80th anniversary year since the original march. We have been forced to cancel it twice due to the pandemic but we now have a robust plan in place and we cannot wait to welcome everyone to the stunning route and to enjoy the unique atmosphere on camp each day”.
Entries are open to serving personnel, Veterans and civilians and the event has become a benchmark for endurance and for bringing people from all walks of life together. Funds raised on The Forces March are for The Veterans Charity and help to deliver urgent and vital support to Veterans experiencing hardship.
The Forces March 2022 is being hosted between 27th April and 1st May. There is still time to enter or to volunteer to support the event. More information can be found at www.forcesmarch.org.uk
