Soldier back to work after vital flood help

Trooper Josh Robison is a member of the Light Dragoons and he, along with his fellow soldiers, went to the aid of homeowners and businesses across Yorkshire in December.

Many of the soldiers, based at the Gaza Barracks in Catterick, were on holiday when the flooding hit.

They were called in to help with the emergency flood relief in Halifax, Leeds, York and the towns of Shelby, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.

The troops worked all hours of the day to warn and inform homeowners and businesses whose properties were threatened by the rising water.

They also helped put in flood defences, under the instruction of the Environment Agency, laying sandbags in key areas.

Josh, 21, said: “People were really pleased to see us, they were giving us free food and drinks.

“Everywhere we went people wanted their photograph taken with us – they had rarely seen soldiers in the streets before.

“A lot of the places we went to, the water levels had been right up their doors.

“It’s good to feel like you are needed, like you are making a difference.”

Having offered vital aid to those in Yorkshire, it is now businesses as usual for former Coquet High School pupil Josh, as he returned to work and is attending a gunnery camp in Cumbria.

The important course will train Josh and his fellow soldiers in infantryman skills – firing small arms – and mounted shooting from the back of vehicles.