It's off to war we go

As the Queen's Royal Lancers prepare to go to Afghanistan, Richard Ault speaks to some of the troops ready to take on the Taliban

TROOPER Phil Taylor is leaving the Army this year – but not before he goes to Afghanistan.

The Port Vale fan, who is in the minority in a regiment filled with Stoke City and Nottingham Forest supporters, has already received his discharge from the Queen's Royal Lancers (QRL) to start a new life as a civilian.

It means he could have avoided the tour of Helmand Province, but he says he could not allow his friends to face the Taliban without him.

The 24-year-old from Stone – known as Reggie – said: "It's not that I'm not scared, I just want to go with the lads.

"I would sign back in if I had to, so I could go to Afghanistan."

Tpr Taylor joined up in 2003 and will leave the regiment in November to become a prison officer.

He will be part of the advance force expected to go to Afghanistan in February.

Part of his duties will include working with the Afghan police, helping to train officers, as well as visiting villages and helping to win "hearts and minds".

Trooper William Shone has already seen active service in Iraq, during Operation Telic 9.

During his time in the Gulf, Tpr Shone lost three comrades – Corporal Ben Leaning, aged 24, and Trooper Kristen Turton, aged 27, after they were hit by a roadside bomb, and Sergeant Wayne Rees, aged 36, in a traffic accident.

The 23-year-old, of Trent Vale, said: "I lost three mates in Iraq. It affects you, but you just have to carry on.

"Everyone was shocked and there was quite a lot of upset. We just had to work together to get through it. We were about to leave Iraq.

"When I was there, things were calming down after the second Gulf War. We didn't see much action. Most of it was patrolling through villages, keeping the peace."

The QRL's A Squadron has already completed a tour of Afghanistan, while the B Squadron has been guarding the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The 250 soldiers expected to fly to Helmand Province in April are from B, C and D squadrons.

The QRL – nicknamed the Death or Glory Boys – were formed in 1993 by the amalgamation of the 16th/5th Queen's Royal Lancers, which were originally raised in Staffordshire, and the 17th/21st Lancers.

Its cap badge bears the Death or Glory motto in the shape of a skull and crossbones.

It was given to the 17th Lancers on formation, in tribute to the death of General James Wolfe after victory over the French in Quebec in 1759.

In recent times, squadrons from the regiment have been deployed to Iraq in 2004, 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007.

The QRL's next role in Afghanistan has yet to be determined, but it is likely to involve reconnaissance.

Its main battle tank – the Scimitar Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle – is ideally suited for gathering intelligence.

It seats seven people and has a 30 millimetre cannon for self defence.

The regiment will also have Jackals – an armoured car with machine guns which is used for reconnaissance, rapid assault, fire support and convoy protection.

Captain Chris Findlay said: "The Scimitar is our main vehicle. It has been given an upgrade for Afghanistan. They are the eyes and ears of the battle group.

"The Jackals are a bit like an armoured Land Rover, but it gives the troops a bit more protection. It also has the capacity to have a lot more fire power.

"The average trooper will carry about 40kg of equipment on his back, but that can be up to 60kg."

Capt Findlay added: "We are very keen to get the community behind us. We are keen to be known as the Midlands Cavalry.

"We are hoping to get a support network set up. People will be able to buy wristbands supporting the Queen's Royal Lancers.

"If someone from Stoke-on-Trent sees soldiers with the Queen's Royal Lancers, come up to us. We are all human."

Trooper Daniel Askey, aged 18, of Upper Tean, said: "We've been doing battle training ready for Afghanistan. I want to do it. That's what I joined up for.

"Whenever you are down, there's always someone to turn to. And there's a lot of us from Stoke-on-Trent as well, so we have a good laugh."

Trooper Adam Sharman, aged 18, from Clayton, said: "I feel good about Afghanistan.

"With the people I'm going with, I feel I can trust them 100 per cent.

"My family are supportive of me, they just want me to come back safe."