A CARMARTHEN man and Reserve soldier, Percy Morris, recently went from working on his family farm to travel to Germany as part of a military exercise to deliver vehicles required to support the UK’s commitment to NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land) (VJTF(L)) next year.
The 23-year-old Private, serving with 157 (Welsh) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, travelled with his colleagues in a 36 vehicle convoy from Cardiff across Europe to the Northern German town of Paderborn to hand over the MAN SV six-ton trucks and the other vehicles to the British Army’s 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade, who will assume the lead element of the VJTF (L) in 2017.
Speaking of the exercise Percy said: “To go overseas on my first major exercise with the Regiment has been a fantastic opportunity” adding: “the last few days have been a brilliant learning experience. I was the radio operator relaying information to the driver, getting experience of how the vehicle works and how to drive in convoy formation. Although, I do not hold a driving licence yet this is something I am aiming to achieve through the Regiment as it will open up new roles for me.”
Since joining the Regiment a year ago Percy has certainly made the most of the opportunities offered by being in the reserves: “I have been to Austria on an adventurous training package, where I got the chance to go mountain biking, rock climbing and mountaineering, and earlier this year I participated in Exercise Cambrian Patrol.
“The patrol was extremely demanding mentally and physically and definitely takes you out of your comfort zone, but its something I would attempt again. I am throughly enjoying my time in the reserves, it has been brilliant and I have enjoyed every challenge so far.”
To conclude their European visit the Regiment travelled to the Somme on a battlefield study, on which Percy said: “We are going to the memorial in Mamentz Wood to pay our respects to the fallen of the 38th (Welsh) Division. I have been asked to give a reading which is a great honour for me and I am extremely proud to be able to do so, it is important we remember their sacrifice.”
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