At Wimbledon, stewards in military uniforms are a common sight in the walkways and even on courts, as hundreds of armed forces members volunteer in a tradition dating back eight decades.
Active personnel from the army, navy and air force have been helping out annually since the aftermath of World War II, with the arrangement a quintessential part of the world's oldest tennis championships.
This year they number around 500 -- featuring as many women as men -- and take care of everything from checking tickets and guiding spectators to their seats to ensuring that peace and quiet prevails on-court.
Dave McGarr, 48, an army captain who has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Sierra Leone, has been offering his services at Wimbledon for 13 years and is now one of two officers overseeing the stewarding operation.
"I like the excitement," he told AFP, as the only grass court grand slam tournament got underway this week in southwest London.
Active personnel from the army, navy and air force have been helping out annually since the aftermath of World War II, with the arrangement a quintessential part of the world's oldest tennis championships.
This year they number around 500 -- featuring as many women as men -- and take care of everything from checking tickets and guiding spectators to their seats to ensuring that peace and quiet prevails on-court.
Dave McGarr, 48, an army captain who has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Sierra Leone, has been offering his services at Wimbledon for 13 years and is now one of two officers overseeing the stewarding operation.
"I like the excitement," he told AFP, as the only grass court grand slam tournament got underway this week in southwest London.
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