A TERRITORIAL Army soldier from Andover has just returned from serving with the Scots Dragoon Guards in Basra, Iraq. Katie King, aged 27, who is a member of the 128 Reclamation Company, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) based in Portsmouth, was called up for service in the Gulf in February.

She said: "I had an unbelievable time. I was right in the front line with the Scots Guard and we were kept very busy." As a trained armourer, Katie's skills were very much in demand.

"I helped to keep all their weapons in ship-shape condition. I would definitely do it again," she said. Katie works for BMW Financial Services in Hook as a financial pay out adviser and received her call-up papers when she arrived back from a holiday skiing with the TA.

"It was quite a shock to come home and find my mobilisation papers waiting for me.

"It meant I only had a weeks notice before I was off to the mobilisation centre."

Katie's bosses Sue Martin and Lisa Litchfield were invited to an employer evening onboard HMS Victory.

The evening was an opportunity to thank the employers for supporting the reserve forces.

Certificates were awarded to employers who had declared their support for the Reserve Forces by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mary Fagan.