Published at 15:52, Wednesday, 02 April 2008

AFTER just 20 weeks in the army, Whitehaven soldier David Price has distinguished himself winning a special award and a promotion.

Trooper David Price

Trooper Price, 17, of the King’s Royal Hussars won a trophy for being best at physical training and was promoted to Junior Corporal in his training platoon. He received his trophy at his passing out parade.

Former Whitehaven School pupil David joined the army in October last year and has just completed his basic training at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire. The challenging 20-week course included weapon handling, survival techniques, physical training and first aid. He also spent two weeks in adventure training, learning to rock climb, abseil, canoe and navigate. Three days were also spent in France and Belgium on a World War I battlefield tour.

David, feeling justifiably proud, says joining the army is the best move he has ever made. His training now continues at the Armour Centre near Bovington in Dorset, where he will receive specialist instruction on how to drive and operate a 75-ton Challenger 2 battle tank before joining the field army.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk