TERRITORIAL Army soldiers from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry in Dorset have received campaign medals for service in Iraq from their Royal Honorary Colonel, the Earl of Wessex.

A number of members of A (Dorset Yeomanry) Armour Replacement Squadron were mobilised in August 2004 to form part of a 43-strong contingent from the four squadrons of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry augmenting the regulars of the Royal Dragoon Guards battle group in Basra.

Others volunteered for different phases of Operation Telic in Iraq over the last two years.

The mobilised reservists returned in May this year having been involved in a number of skirmishes, fortunately with no casualties.

The Royal Wessex Yeomanry is the TA's armoured regiment in the South West and provides highly trained gunners and loaders for the Army's main battle tank, Challenger 2, also providing the Army's armour replacement capability.

The medals parade ceremony was held at Copeland Down Training Camp during Exercise Executive Stretch on Salisbury Plain at which Prince Edward saw the Royal Wessex Yeomanry providing employees from the private and public sector with hands-on experience of the kind of training undertaken by reservists.

Those who received medals from the Earl of Wessex included Lieutenant Tony Rickard from Wool, Sgt Nick Westwood from Weymouth, Corporal Dave Sellers from Portland and Trooper Andrew Crompton from Swanage.

Others not present, but who will be presented their medals at a later date, include Lieutenant Ian Griffiths and Sgt James Humphries, both of Crossways, Dorchester, and Corporal Simon Dart, who is from Portland.

New recruits are always welcome and are paid for the time they spend in training.

Anyone interested in becoming a recruit can contact Captain Colin Parr on 01929 402013.