Captain Ian J Dorling

Ian Dorling joined the army in January 1973 as an Apprentice Tradesman at the age of 15 years and 6 months. On completion of trade training as a Vehicle Mechanic at Arborfield and Bordon he volunteered to serve with Airborne Forces and was posted to Workshop Squadron REME of the 1st Parachute Logistic Regiment in Aldershot. He passed 'P' Company in July 1976 and the Basic Parachute Course at No1 PTS Brize Norton in August 1976 and participated in a major NATO exercise in Norway.

Upon the disbandment of the Parachute Logistic Regiment in 1977 he was posted to 1 PARA as an attached tradesman. During the 2 years Ian served with 1 PARA he completed tours in Cyprus (UN) 1977, NI in April 1978 and exercises in USA (Exercise 'Hickory Stick Mar - April 1979) and Germany.

On promotion to L/Cpl he was posted to 3/10 Fd Workshop as a member of the Parachute Forward Repair Teams which provided 2nd Line REME support to the Parachute Brigade. He remained with the unit during it's move to Aldershot. During his time with the Workshop he participated in various exercises in Denmark, Cyprus and UK and a 2nd tour in NI and deployed on Operation Corporate in 1982.

In 1984, on promotion to Cpl, he was posted to 2 PARA as an attached tradesman and completed a further tour in NI in November 1984 to February 1985.

Ian left the Parachute Brigade in October 1985 having served 10 years with Airborne Forces and was posted to BAOR. and Canada before returning to UK to complete Artificer Training from Jan 87 and returned to BAOR upon completion in July 1988. Over the next few years Ian served in Belize, Germany and the UK as a Permanent Staff instructor with the TA.

In September 1992 on promotion to WO2, Ian was posted back to Airborne Forces as an AQMS in 10 AB Wksp REME, where on arrival he completed a refresher course at No1 PTS. During the next 3 years he participated in various exercises in France, Corsica, Sardinia, Holland, Germany and Berlin. In 1994 he deployed on Op Gabriel in Rwanda, where he was awarded the Joint Force Commanders Commendation.  He was a member of the Logistics Battalion orienteering team that won the Army Minor Units Championship in 1994.

On promotion to WO1 (ASM) Ian completed his last 2 years in the Regular Army at 33 EOD Regt RE before being discharged in September 1987.

Less than a year later he joined the Territorial Army as a WO2. He continued to serve until March 2013, gaining promotion to WOI and a commision in 2000. As a Captain he completed a 3 year FTRS post before a final posting as the Training Officer of Recruit Company at 3 Div RTC in Aldershot.

Ian remained actively involved in the Airborne family as a member of the 'Lest We Forget Foundation' which helped veterans return to Arnhem each year, in September, to attend the Op Market Garden Commemorations. He carried out his last parachute descent onto Ginkel Heath in 2009 during the 65th Anniversary of the Battle for Arnhem. In 2019 he was part of a team of Airborne REME Veterans that tabbed from Aldershot to Arnhem during the 75th Commemorations to raise funds for Airborne Forces charities. He is a member of the Airborne Forces Riders Club, the BAFC and an Associate Member of the PRA.