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Heat is on for jungle soldiers

Deborah Linton
30/ 4/2008

HAVING listened to his grandfather’s war stories as a boy, Lance Corporal Jon Stafford is now serving his 14th year as a soldier.

The father of one from Ashton is currently being put through his paces in the Central American jungle ahead of his next deployment with 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (2 Lancs).

The infantry regiment is part of an 800-strong battle group on Exercise Tropical Storm in the former British colony of Belize, where they are preparing for their next deployment.

The intensive five-week programme teaches them to survive in the dense, hot and humid jungle. Across 1,000 square miles of land, they train in field craft, counter insurgency and patrol exercises, as well as basic survival skills such as trapping and killing food, finding water and shelter.

Lt Cpl Stafford, who has completed tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and three times in Iraq, said: "I’ve trained in so many different parts of the earth, from arctic to desert. This is very different for me but I’m enjoying it – I’m a professional soldier and I’m proud of my job.

"Although Iraq was hard I think Bosnia had the most impact on me. It felt closer to home because it was a European conflict and it was shocking to see the results of ethnic cleansing there.

"I wanted to join the army since hearing my granddad tell stories about World War Two and his time in the Royal Fusiliers. Between all my ancestors and cousins, I don’t think the Staffords have missed a war in the last 200 years."

He returned from Iraq last summer where 2 Lancs endured one of the Army’s toughest tours since the 2003 invasion, with eight soldiers killed in action.

Also in the jungle is Kingsman Peter Fitzgerald, 18, from Droylsden, who joined the battalion last August. It is his first posting abroad with the army. He said: "It’s physically demanding because of the heat. I wanted to join the army from a young age and while I feel a bit nervous about going to a war zone we’re well prepared and in good company."