Youngsters on guard (From This is The West Country)

Youngsters on guard

8:31am Wednesday 29th March 2006

• Print
• Email
• Share

A GROUP of lads from Cornwall are falling in together and joining one of the Army's oldest and prestigious regiments the Coldstream Guards.

The youngsters, Matthew Cutting, aged 23, originally from South Africa, now living in Falmouth, Mikael Nippard, aged 16, from Redruth, Ben Ambrose, aged 17, from Falmouth, Jonathan Lenny, aged 16 from Camborne, Richard Payne, aged 21 from Newquay, and Andrew Richards, aged 21, from Camborne, all took the Queen's shilling at Redruth Recruiting Office.

Major Dennis Stone, who heads up Army recruiting in the area, had the job of witnessing each new recruit as they took their Oath of Allegiance, which sees them formally accepted into the Army.

After passing entrance and recruitment selection tests, all six men will begin their Army training next week, when they travel to the infantry training centre (ITC) in Catterick.

Unusually, all six of them will be joining the infantry regiment, the Coldstream Guards. After 26 weeks of basic military training, they will be fully trained soldiers, ready to serve with their regiment.

Sergeant Beau Taylor, a Redruth Army recruiter, who is also a member of the Coldstream Guards said: "I am delighted to be welcoming more recruits into the Army, especially this many in one go. It is really important that young people recognise the challenges that an Army career has to offer, including the many adventure and sporting opportunities available.

"The Army is a great way to gain a wide range of skills and meet lots of new people as well as offering excellent opportunities to travel all over the world.

"New recruits are not expected to be at the peak of physical fitness or have all the necessary attributes when they join, but they must be willing to take on the challenge.

"The Army provide all the time and access to the facilities needed for soldiers to develop both physically and mentally during their initial training and throughout their career, giving them valuable personal and professional skills that they can continue to use when they decide to leave."

The Coldstream Guards are the oldest regiment in the Army in continuous active service, originating in 1650 when Oliver Cromwell founded a regiment for the then Colonel George Monck.

The Coldstream Guards infantry regiment are part of the Guards Division.

• Print
• Email
• Share