A CHESTER soldier has been training on new equipment which has been delivered to his Territorial Army unit.
Lance Corporal Daniel Dove, 24, is a soldier serving with C (Cheshire Yeomanry) Squadron, The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY) based at Fox Barracks in Chester.
Originally from Essex he has lived in Chester since 2004 and joined the Yeomanry in 2006.
He said: “I joined the TA because I like the idea of a combat role and fancied the Royal Armoured Corps, I also wanted a new challenge.”
As well as serving in the UK he has been on exercise in South Germany and last year to Denmark.
His father also serves in the TA as a Chef in the Royal Logistics Corps in Manchester.
Daniel, who is by profession a painter and decorator, has recently qualified as a Land Rover WMIK (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) driver having passed his Light Goods Vehicle test, a week long course which the TA paid him to attend.
He said: “As well as gaining course qualifications the TA has given me confidence, I also enjoy the social side and the adventure training.”
For the past 13 years C Squadron has trained its volunteer soldiers as crewmen for the Challenger 2 main battle tank but they will now switching to a light cavalry and a reconnaissance role.
In addition to driving, the soldiers are being trained to operate the new weapons systems for WMIK which includes a 50 calibre Heavy Machine Gun, (HMG) a 40mm grenade launcher and Bowman communications equipment.
Anyone who is interested in joining the Chester based TA Unit can call 01244 381050, call in at Fox Barracks on a Thursday night or look them up an Facebook – “Reserve Recce” or at www.reserverecce.co.uk.
