Member Profile: Mike Clayton

Name: Mike Clayton aka Shortstraw.

Age: 30

Job title and place of work: IT Supervisor - Bank of NT Butterfield International

Other Information: Originally from Essex, I was Exported to Guernsey in 1998.  Engaged with three step-children.

Personal details: I got interested in the SK at around the age of 14 when several members of my local wargames fraternity used to come back battered after weekends away, & the battle at Gunners Park in Shoebury clinched it. I joined the Regiment late '87, although my first Battle wasn't until Ripley Castle in '88.  The first time I met the regiment they were looking for a gopher, and seeing as I was the youngest I "drew the short straw" & the nickname stuck.

During my time in the knot I fought pike for twelve years, took up the mantle of Trayned Soldier Editor for two years, & was on the SK web team for three years (now you know why there are a lot of photo's of our regiment on the SK website!). I am now in my second season as Ensign, which means that I have the greatest honor in the regiment - I carry the colour.

Whats my most memorable memory?  Well, it has to be my very first muster. (most of the others were spent in a haze. A seven hour journey followed by a blinder of a battle (our brigade/regimental CO was Pike Sergeant at the time)and an evening initiation of a Burning Blazer - downing a flaming glass of brandy.  If there is one advert I can use to sell the regiment it would be that it is my extended family - some of my fondest memories of my late teens/early twenties was spent in the company of the regiment, and no matter what your age your guarenteed a fun filled time.

LONDON & LIBERTY!