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Mercians head to Cyprus in UN peacekeeping force

Soldiers from the Mercian regiment are heading off to Cyprus as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force.

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It will be the first time that the regular battalion 2 Mercian, which is sending 213 full-time soldiers, will be deployed on an operation alongside 62 from reserve unit 4 Mercian, based in Wolverhampton.

They have been at Nesscliffe Training Camp, near Shrewsbury, before heading to the Mediterranean island, where the UN has had a presence for almost 50 years. The island has three sectors, one controlled by the Argentinians, the second by the UK and the third by countries from Eastern Europe.

Final training for Mercian Regiment at Nesscliffe Army Barracks, ahead of deployment on a UN peacekeeping mission to Cyprus

Between the battalions, the youngest soldier is just 18 while the oldest is 53.

See also: Emotional farewell for returning local soldiers.

The soldiers come from all walks of life including farmers, career soldiers, warehouse workers, teachers, IT consultants and raw recruits. For some this is their first tour of duty while others have seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Mercian Regiment was formed in 2007 and brought together the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, the Staffordshire Regiment and the West Midlands Regiment and the King's Cheshire Regiment.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after Turkey invaded the north. It was in response to a military coup on the island which had been backed by the Greek government.

Commanding the regiment is Lieutenant Colonel Shove Gilby. "We will have the role of maintaining the peace, the status quo in Nicosia, where we will be based and will be patrolling the Buffer Zone.

See also: Bishop of Lichfield tells of pride in troops as Mercian Regiment parades old colours.

"We will take over from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards who have been there for the past six months. We have been receiving regular intelligence about the situation on the ground so we know what to expect.

"The Buffer Zone is between the Turkish area of north Cyprus and the southern Greek area. These are two different groups contesting over ground and we need to umpire that."

Final training for Mercian Regiment at Nesscliffe Army Barracks, ahead of deployment on a UN peacekeeping mission to Cyprus

Private Archie Galbraith is due to become a father while serving in Cyprus. The 20-year-old joined up last year looking for a challenge. He had been a successful boxer but has given it up to concentrate on his soldiering. "I won 30 bouts in Civvie Street," said Pte Galbraith. "But I wanted to concentrate on my army career so I have given it up.

"My girlfriend is due to have our baby in February so I will be counting the days until I come back off tour."

IT consultant Sergeant Alex Green joined the Army as a reservist in 1987. He was called up to serve in Afghanistan in 2009 and has also served in Iraq. "It is certainly going to be interesting as a peacekeeper in Cyprus," the 45-year-old said.

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