Justin Goodchild not only works for GPB Mastics, at the Swan Barn Business Centre in Station Road, but is also a Lance Corporal based at the TA centre in Eastbourne.

L/Cpl Goodchild, who has been a signaller with the reservists for 18 months, joined hundreds of fellow TA soldiers and their employers for the garden party, attended by Prince Edward and Princess Anne, to mark the centenary of the TA.

His boss, GPB Mastics director David Brook, came too and mingled with representatives from the likes of 3M, BAA, Kent Police and Oxford City Council.

Justin said, "GPB Mastics is a small company but it employs two serving TA members.

"We really appreciate David's understanding and support towards our TA commitments, allowing us extra time off and flexible working hours to help us attend TA training."

Mr Brook added, "People like Justin are doing an important and difficult job and deserve to have their employers backing them.
"The TA training also helps to develop their self-confidence, initiative and can-do attitude, which helps us as a company."

The event was organised by SaBRE — Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers.

SaBRE director Tim Corry said, "A crucial factor in the TA's success over the last 100 years has been the support, encouragement and understanding of many of the UK's employers.

"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for reservists to thank their employers for their support with a very special day out.

"Employers attending the garden party have supported their reservist employees in a variety of ways — from enabling them to work more flexibly so they can fulfil their training commitments to supporting them while they were mobilised.

"It's not a one-way relationship.

"Reservist employees are a real asset, bringing valuable skills and experience to the workplace."

The TA has around 36,000 soldiers throughout the UK.

They are civilians who train for their military role in the evenings, at weekends and for a two-week period each year.

Since 2003, more than 15,000 members have been mobilised for full-time service in Iraq or Afghanistan.

They serve alongside their regular colleagues on the front line and also provide essential support in areas such as engineering, medical services, communications and logistics.