Troops set for Afghan tour

Soldiers from Rochdale will swop Buckingham Palace for patrols in Afghanistan shortly.

The 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is in the final stages of its training before deploying to the war zone.

The Fusiliers recruit heavily from the Manchester area, including Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, Salford and Bolton.

The 500 soldiers have been busy on training exercises and live firing in the south of England, practising skills for fighting in rural and urban areas.

They have recently been on ceremonial duty in London, guarding Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Their commanding officer, Lt-Col Charlie Calder, said: “We are experiencing an extremely busy time at the moment.

“The transition from public duties to operational training, two weeks high intensity training in the south of England and our final farewell march through Hounslow.

“The troops have been fantastic. They have given their all and risen to the challenge as only fusiliers can do.

“If anything, this reflects well the variety and scope of what a career in the Army can offer.”