SOLDIERS used a Second World War landing craft to help Sea Scouts rebuild their boat house.
The boat, used in the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944 and in Steven Spielberg's film Saving Private Ryan, transported equipment to the 2nd Beeston Sea Scouts' camp on Barton Island, Beeston.
Fifteen reserves from the 73 Engineer Regiment are offering their expertise to build a new boat house, bunk houses and upgrade toilet facilities for the scouts, who have £3,000 to pay for the improvements from grants and fundraising.
Sea Scout Callum Bottomley, 14, said: "It felt a bit strange going in the boat because it had been used in the war so long ago."
The Sea Scouts use the secluded island camp as a base to learn boating and navigation as well as skills such as fire making, tenting and gutting fish.
William Woodall, 13, of Beeston Rylands, said: "Going out on the water makes you feel free. When we were in the craft it crashed!"
Beeston Marina owns the landing craft and was approached by the Army about helping them transport a digger and lifting equipment to the island, home to the scouts since the late1960s.
Darren Winter, WO2(MPF), from the 73 Engineers Regiment, said: "We've been meaning to help this project for a while, but it was just a case of finding the time."
He said that they were pleased to offer their expertise, but it was also a useful exercise to keep the reserves, of which six are serving in Germany, on their toes.
"The more things we can do that replicate combat engineering the better," he added.
Sea Scouts' leader Paul Boss was thrilled with the military help.
"Even though we are Sea Scouts it just shows all the services are part of the community together. In fact, a lot of the Sea Scouts go on to join the Army and do well.
"They will reap the benefits of the work that's being done. It's a good chance for kids their age to learn about self-reliance and thinking for themselves."
The 2nd Beeston Sea Scouts are one of 103 scout groups acknowledged by the Royal Navy.
Lieutenant Commander David Gray was inspecting the Sea Scouts and travelled from Portsmouth to see the work being done.
He said: "There are a lot of shared values between the Navy and the Army so it's good to see the collaboration."
