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1. What was your reaction when you first learned you had been chosen to be a Roman legionary?
It was a mixture of surprise and anxiety. I was surprised because the production team had interviewed lots of my colleagues in my police force and in other forces as well as members of the fire service, so to be chosen was an honor. The anxiety came from being told that it wasn't going to be a holiday and that living the life as a Roman was going to be tough.
2. What do you believe was your biggest triumph as a Roman legionary?
My biggest triumph came through the comradeship I gained with all of the other guys. Although I was with three other police officers from Norfolk Constabulary, we had never worked together. With Nick the firefighter, Shaun, Theo, Zach and Charles from the USAF it was a case of seven strangers put together in the barracks -- like ingredients in a never-before-made pie. Let's see if it works! Much to our surprise we all did and it wasn't long before we acted and worked together like the Romans that lived before us did. You will see from the program, we were all given marching drill and even though it was all in Latin, which I certainly did not learn at school, we were soon moving as tightly together as the US Marines on their passing out parade!
3. What was your lowest moment as a Roman legionary?
My lowest point was on the first evening. It was the beginning of March, still very much in the grip of winter with the freezing cold wind off the North Sea blowing. There we were standing in nothing but what I could only describe as a thick large T-shirt, thin cotton trousers which stopped at my knees and open toed sandals -- shoes more suitable for the Gulf Coast of Florida, not the Northeast of England! I was tired -- as we had had an early start and we had lugged around in that heavy armor all day -- and I was hungry! We were struggling to get the 'Roman Cuisine' anywhere near to an edible state. That was my lowest point!
4. Overall, how would you rate your performance as a Roman legionary?
I believe that I performed well as a Roman legionary, I was a good team player and got stuck in when required and helped with the overall superb morale.
5. If you had to choose between daily life as a police officer or as a Roman legionary, which would you choose?
It's got to be a police officer. Those Roman guys had it tough -- marched off from their homes to places miles and miles away from your friends and family and earned not a lot of money. My job can be tough at times and, yes, I've been shot at, kicked, punched, spat on, called every name under the sun, but I have had rewarding times when I've helped someone out. But at the end of my day, I can come home to my wife and my two daughters .
6. Has your experience as a Roman legionary affected or changed any aspect of your career as a soldier?
It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences which you will never forget. I experienced some of the hardships of a Roman legionary, but not to the full extent. I got to meet some really great guys from the US and the film crew. Plus, I got my 15 minutes of fame!
7. Did your experience as a Roman legionary live up to your expectations?
And then some some!
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