![Alex is a DIO archaeologist. [Crown Copyright / MOD 2017]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/09/Alex-Sotheran-DIO-archaeologist-150x150.png){kind=avatar}
Veterans excavating First World War training trenches
![Left to right: Alex Sotheran, DIO archaeologist; Sam Fairhead, Wessex Archaeology; Stewart Bowman, veteran participant; Dickie Bennett, Breaking Ground Heritage. [Crown Copyright / MOD 2017]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/09/L-to-R-Alex-Sotheran-DIO-archaeologist-Sam-Fairhead-Wessex-Archaeology-Stewart-Bowman-veteran-participant-Dick-1024x683.jpg)
Hi, I’m Alex Sotheran and I’m a DIO archaeologist. I am lucky enough that some of my work involves Operation Nightingale, a programme which facilitates archaeological digs for sick, injured and wounded service personnel and veterans. Operational Nightingale is …