Ex-paratrooper travels world as army photographer

5 hours ago

Patrick BarlowSouth East

News image — Corporal Aaron Stone became an army photographer after having served as a paratrooper for 13 years

Aaron Stone A man, Aaron Stone, stood with his armed crossed with two cameras hanging from his side. A large cargo plane is taking off in the background. — Corporal Aaron Stone became an army photographer after having served as a paratrooper for 13 years

A former paratrooper who retrained to become an army photographer said seeing the work of soldiers through his lens was a "brilliant job" that had seen him travel the world.

Corporal Aaron Stone, from Guildford, Surrey, joined the army at 18 and spent 13 years as a paratrooper, before turning his hand to photography three years ago.

Now stationed alongside the 16th Air Assault Brigade Combat Team in Colchester, Stone said although he missed his former role, photography had helped him to reskill and given him an outlet outside of the military.

Speaking ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, he told BBC Radio Surrey the day's events would be a "great experience" and that it was a good time to "soak in the military culture".

Aaron Stone A soldier wearing a camoflauge army suit and holding a rifle. He is stood in front of a dust covered compound, with a mountain in the background. — Corporal Stone, serving as a paratrooper

Stone said in the three years he had been a photographer with the Royal Logistics Corps he had been to multiple countries including France and Lithuania, covering the work of the 16th Air Assault Brigade.

He transferred to the job after being given the opportunity once he was promoted to the rank of corporal, adding the job "landed at his feet".

Armed Forces Day is being marked across the South East.

In Littlehampton people will be able to see static Spitfires and Hurricanes - as well as other military equipment and vehicles - on the Seafront Greens, with a Spitfire flypast in the afternoon.

Chatham's Historic Dockyard will have a military parade of serving personnel, veterans and cadets and an exploration of the dockyard's naval history through ships and exhibits.

Ramsgate Town Council will be marking the event in the Kent town with a parade along Harbour Parade and a drumhead service.

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