VETERAN soldiers from Alloa took part in an event to mark the anniversary of the Royal Engineers being given the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar.

John Snaddon travelled to the British overseas territory and met his brother Jimmy who worked there for four years and returned to settle there after finishing his service in the UK.

A third brother, David, was the first to join the corps but he died in 2010.

Jimmy joined David in Gibraltar on Hogmanay 1964 and joined the tunnelling troop so he could work beside his brother.

They were involved in building the two tunnels that allow the people of Gibraltar to travel all the way round the rock of Gibraltar. Before this, residents would have to turn back half way.

The work proved fraught with danger and Jimmy was fortunate not to have lost his life on one occasion.

He told the Advertiser: “There was an accident in the tunnel we were building and a sapper [Royal Engineer] was killed by an explosion.

“I was drilling where he was but was relieved by him as I had to go play football for the army.

“It was later after the match that I was informed of the accident that had occurred, so you could say I was very lucky.”

To mark the 44th anniversary the brothers joined the Royal Engineers in exercising the freedom of the city by marching to the Royal Engineer’s Statue on October 8.

Mayor Adolfo Canepa took the salute from soldiers past and present in front of the parliament.

Parades take place every year and John has attended for the last few years, allowing him to catch up with family and old friends.

He served in the Royal Engineers for nine years and was stationed in Gibraltar for three of those.

John said: “I go over every time and it’s always really good. There was a big turnout this year.”

Jimmy, too, is always happy to see his brother and old friends.

He added: “This is the best time to see all your old friends as most of my friends are from all over Scotland. Best of all, I get to see my brother John.”

The brothers were also invited to a reception held by the mayor, which John said he enjoyed very much.

The Royal Engineers have a long history of serving in Gibraltar, with the first unit raised there in 1772.

Some 200 years later, the corps were given the freedom of the city in recognition of their long service and their efforts to build the galleries that helped protect the area from Spanish invasion.

This year’s celebration was extra special as it is 300 years since the corps was founded in 1716.