Sgt Slingsby

Sgt Slingsby leads a crack team of stuffed but very active bears, carrying out missions of varying degrees of derring-do.

Sgt Slingsby

Sgt Slingsby is our Founder Bear, and was first launched on an unsuspecting world in 2003. He's a limited edition bear from Clinton Cards, and as they have all been sold he is thus irreplaceable!

He originally wore a maroon beret with the badge of the Glider Pilot Regiment - genuine items that jumped into Arnhem in 1944 - but they were sadly lost. He now wears the blue beret of the Army Air Corps, and is badged as a sergeant pilot. His Parachutist wings remind us of the Parachute Regiment that jumped into Arnhem, and the fact that the Army Air Corps originally comprised both the Glider Pilot Regiment and the Parachute Regiment.

Slingsby has completed a tour of "duty" in Afghanistan, and thus wears the Operational Service Medal.

CSgt Burra

Colour Sergeant 'Sandy' Burra was recruited into the team in September 2008 and is a 'Burra Bear' from the Shetland Islands. He is handmade using recycled material from Fair Isle sweaters. Wendy Inkster from 'Burra Bears' was keen to help out with the appeal, and offered to donate a bear ...  and Burra was created using colours that would best give the appearance of desert camouflage.

He wears an Explosive Ordnance Disposal [EOD] badge at the request of one of our colleagues who lost a leg during mine-clearance operations, and owns assorted McUniforms including a very smart Black Watch outfit with kilt and sporran.  Burra is a tough bear and fit to deploy to any location no matter how hostile the environment.  He has a liking for malt whiskies and shortbread.

Cpl Horsa

Cpl Horsa originates from Build-a-Bear in Chester, and is badged as an Army Air Corps aircrewman [door gunner]. He also wears parachute wings.

Cpl Horsa was our first Bear to deploy on operations. He "served" in Afghanistan from 1 Oct - 6 Dec 08, and thus wears the Operational Service Medal. Whilst in 'Stan he was injured in a road accident, but was later brought back to full health by Build-a-Bear.

WO2 Hamilcar

WO2 Hamilcar is the largest of the Bears, and has tended to be restricted to UK missions for the convenience of the Bearer. However, the demand for Bears has forced him out of his "comfort zone" and overseas deployments are planned for 2009.

He's also badged as an AAC aircrewman, but generally prefers to sit behind a desk getting the corporals to do the hard work and bring him tea and biscuits at regular intervals.  He blames that on his damaged left leg.

Sgt Hotspur

Sgt Hotspur originates from Build-a-Bear in Chester, and is badged as an Army Air Corps aircrewman. He also wears Dutch parachute wings, earned during a week-long "Parachuting Course" in The Netherlands, and now wears the maroon beret of The Parachute Regiment.

When he was a Cpl, Hotspur had an uncanny knack of attracting problems for his Bearer on every mission.These have included lost and broken cameras, and finally being declared "Missing In Action" in the USA. The current Hotspur is thus an identical twin, and has been promoted to Sgt in the hope of improving his luck.

MCpl Amy Soldier

MCpl Amy Soldier is an overseas recruit from Canada, where she was created by Mr Fred Herman, a 33-year veteran of the Canadian Forces. We have decided she should commemorate the inspirational MCpl Paul Franklin, CF, whose story can be linked from our News area ["Overseas Recruit"]. She is accordingly badged as a Medic, and wears the distinctive Canadian Cadpat camouflage.

Due to her small size, Amy frequently gets sent on long-range missions as she's easy to post back home.

Sgt Helier Braille

Sgt Helier Braille was a surprise addition to the Team in Jan 09, and was donated by "Mr Pin", who produced the Sgt Slingsby pins. Sgt Braille is a member of The Jersey Field Squadron (M) Royal Engineers (The Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey) (Formed in 1337, and thus the oldest Unit in the British Army).

As a Sapper, Sgt Braille has large paws and is accustomed to lifting heavy things, building bridges and digging holes - or at least getting his subordinates to do those things. Unlike most of the other Bears in the Team, he also wears trousers - which says much and little in the same breath. He was made by Postal Bears.

Cpl Arnhem

Following an outbreak of Parachuting and mingling with members of the Parachute Regiment, it was felt appropriate to include a Para-Bear in the Team's line-up.

Corporal Arnhem was generously provided by the donor of Sgt Braille, and is also from Postal Bears.  He proudly wears his Para wings on his right arm, and on the left wears the maroon "DZ Patch" of the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.  He drinks beer.