Soldiers from the London Regiment have taken part in Exercise CAPITAL PATROL at Pirbright.

Over the weekend, 19 to 21 August 2011, more than 170 soldiers, from across the Territorial Army, preparing for deployment to Afghanistan participated in the challenging Exercise.

The exercising troops patrolled over 50-Kilometres and were challenged at seven different checkpoints with a range of military skills and tasks to compete for the Merchant Taylors Trophy, a gift to the London Regiment from our affiliated livery Company, the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors.

In all, seven teams, each of between 12 and 17 troops competed. Three teams from the London Regiment were joined by three teams from the Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officer selection course and one team from 151 (London Transport) Regiment Royal Logisitics Corps.

The exercise was also supported by a formidable back-up team that included an excellent field kitchen feeding 175, working from a purpose built Forward Operating Base, signals detachment and Operational planning capability.

Enemy troops and friendly agent roles were played by a number of Army Cadets and Adult Instructors from London Scottish Detachments. The Deputy Commander of London District, Brigadier Matthew Lowe (Late Parachute Regiment) visited the exercise and was very pleased to see the way training is preparing troops to "train hard and fight easy".

The event was won by a Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officer team - proving they are our brightest and best - and the trophy was presented by Lady Harding, representing the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors."