Prairie tales

9:06am Thursday 26th June 2008

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Hampshire troops have spent more than three weeks in the vast Canadian prairies for the culmination of their training since they were last on the frontline in 2006. Now, along with the 30 degree temperature, they are to find themselves in the heat of battle once again that will test their endurance and wits against "the enemy". JENNY MAKIN reports from Canada where she is embedded with the Armoured Tigers - and meets some of the Hampshire boys

Private Chris Raine, 33, from Shirley, Southampton
"It's quite hot in the back of those Warriors, especially when the sun comes out and heats them right up. The weather has been mainly okay, despite a bit of rain here and there, but when the temperature goes up the Warriors are like tin cans.

"The longest time I've spent in the back of one so far has been about ten hours out on the ground. There can be anywhere between five and seven guys in the back at one time, so its fairly cramped.

"I'm really enjoying being out here in Canada. I've only been with 1PWRR for three months, having previously been with the Royal Engineers. This exercise is giving me a chance to get to know the guys and they are sound blokes.

"I'm looking forward to going out on operational tour later this year because I've never been out before, but right now I'm thinking about rest and relaxation at the end of this and going to Calgary for a few days. I just want to have a bit of down time when I can do my own thing after all these weeks."

Lance Corporal Matt Atkinson, 33, from Eastleigh
Despite 13 years in the army it is Matt's first visit to Canada and the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS).

"We went on adventure training straight away and I was able to do all the stuff including going through the mountains, canoeing and even naked paddling!

"Being out here to train is a great opportunity to see the battlegroup formation for the first time.

"We couldn't get this sort of opportunity in the UK - we'd be going around in circles, whereas out here you can just keep going because the area is so big.

"The hardest things about being here are just the things you would expect - sitting out in the rain for days on end and not knowing when it's going to stop.

"When it's sunny you're sitting in a metal box in all your kit and just sweating everywhere. It's certainly challenging."

When 1PWRR's Exercise Medicine Man is finished, Matt - whose girlfriend Kate Bushall lives in Bournemouth - will return to Wales instead of the battalion base in Germany to do a promotion course for three months.

He said: "If I could send a message to Kate I'd tell her I love her and I'll be seeing her soon."

Corporal Nathanael Wrigglesworth, 28, from Chandler's Ford
He may have been hindered by his vehicle breaking down on the first day of exercise, but that hasn't ruined the Canadian training for Nathanael.

Having arrived in the country in April to provide safety support for another battalion taking part in a previous exercise, he has seen more of the vast terrain than most.

"When I first got here we had a mass influx of snow which stopped us going out, then when my guys arrived we have seen rain and scorching sun.

"Despite my vehicle breaking down on the first day and having to work off the back of another, I've still managed to get some good training out of it.

"A lot of the guys have got a lot out of this - many are on their first experience of live firing and you can see them getting quicker and more confident by the day."

Nathanael, a dad of two - four year old Alyssa and Pheoebe, aged 18 months - has more than most to look forward to after returning home. He and girlfriend Claire Light are expecting another baby in September.

Lance Corporal Luke Andrews, 22, from Bassett, Southampton
Having spent five-and-a-half years in the Army, Luke has seen two operational tours on the frontline in Iraq.

Despite that, the Canadian prairies have still proved a testing time - having spent the first day on exercise waist-deep in mud.

Luke, who has a fiancee called Katy, said: "It was really hard - especially jumping out of the back of the vehicles. On top of that we've not had that much sleep - sometimes as little as three hours, so you end up feeling exhausted and every day blurs into one."

Part of the Reconnaisance Platoon, it's Luke's job to go in first to an area and find the enemy for the companies to then come in and defeat.

Luke, whose mum and dad Paul and Carol, sister Natasha and brother Liam live in Bassett, said: "Morale has been good, but the weather is hard. In the sun there is just no shade out here."

Private Sean Marney, 25, from Sandown, Isle of Wight
Sean, pictured top right, has been in the Army eight years and will leave his job later this year in search of something new.

He said: "I joined at a young age and I've really enjoyed myself so it's definitely not the job that makes me want to leave.

"It's taught me a lot of lessons and things about myself. I'd recommend it to anyone. Even to come and sign up just for four years, it's a good learning curve that you won't get anywhere else.

Sean, who has a fiancee called Tina, added: "I want to travel but with that comes missing family and friends. I guess I just want to try something else.

"Being out here is good. Live firing has been the best bit so far."

Platoon sergeant Mike Ransley, 27, from Sholing, Southampton
In charge of four armoured vehicles and about 30 men, Mike has a pressured job on the prairies.

With a background in the Army of more than ten years, he has tours of Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Iraq under his belt - and training for another pending tour is second to none, he says.

"This is the best place the British Army can train in. Canada is a funny place - one minute it's sunny and the next you can be in pouring rain or snow and be soaked right through. You're constantly going around with about 40lb on your back and it's quite exhausting."

Mike came out to Canada just one day after touching down in Paderborn, Germany, having spent two years in Catterick, where his long-term girlfriend Virginia lives.

"I literally was told to pack my bag, I was coming out the next day, so it's been a fast turnaround. I'm looking forward to this finishing and getting some leave."