James brought to royal attention (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

James brought to royal attention

Rugby fan James Cottrell (right) proves a big hit. DA4939P08IT was young Welsh rugby fan, James Cottrell, who captured the heart of Prince of Wales as he visited troops at Bulford Camp.

The colonel-in-chief was visiting the 1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment as soldiers prepared to go on a six-month peacekeeping mission to Basra in April.

Part of the afternoon was spent chatting with wives and children in the soldiers' mess, but it was nine-year-old James from the Wirral, wearing his favourite red rugby shirt with Prince of Wales feathers, who proved the biggest hit.

As part of a distinguished tradition of parading in front of royalty, members of the regiment marked the royal visit by wearing oak leaves in their berets.

After touching down at the camp, the Prince chatted to troops in the gymnasium after being shown a cultural training session, where soldiers demonstrated their grasp of Arabic.

Members of the foot regiment have been learning basic phrases as part of their year-long training to cope with life in Iraq.

Corporal Gary Stratton (22), of Ellesmere Port, was just one of the soldiers who the Prince spoke to, asking about their language preparation.

He said: "We can ask for directions and stop someone on the street, ask where they've been and ask if we can we search their car.

"We have been prepared for every type of situation, but this deployment will be different because of the hatred towards the coalition forces.

"I am apprehensive, but most of us are looking forward to it,.

"It's this regiment's chance to prove ourselves.

"The lad's know that the bullets will be flying, but they are expecting that and they talk about it."

Troops demonstrated their first aid skills, showing Prince Charles how they have been learning to cope with dislocations and breaks.

Captain Mark Tyrel, of the medics division, spoke about the problems of coping in temperatures of between 50 and 60 degrees, as well as dehydration and the need to consume about 12 litres of water a day.

The Prince also watched a public order demonstration by members of C Company as they presented a mock battle scene - with some soldiers dressed as members of the coalition, lobbing potatoes at their enemy.

Met by the Unit Welfare Officer, the Prince finally headed off to speak to families.

Debbie Garvey (34), whose husband, Chris, is a colour sergeant, was just one of the mums he chatted too, asking about her feelings on her husband's deployment.

Grandmother Marion Smith 58, who was visiting her daughter and son-in-law, LanceCorporal Kenneth Godkin, also spoke to him.

She said: "He was just interested in the family communication with the wives because they all look after each other.

"He's a lovely person and I think he'll make a very good king."