A SOLDIER from Trowbridge put months of preparation to the test by participating in a major synchronised training exercise in the north east of England with 1,400 members of The Royal Artillery.

Lance Bombardier Daniel Daffurn, 25, a ‘coverer’ with B Battery, 1 Royal Horse Artillery, based in Tidworth, took part in Exercise Steel Sabre in March on the Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland.

Steel Sabre is 1 Artillery Brigade’s capstone tactical exercise and takes place every year, alternating between the Salisbury Plain Training Area and Otterburn in the north of England.

It is the culmination of months of preparation to deliver elements of artillery, air and aviation training and validation for forces earmarked for High Readiness and Very High Readiness roles.

L/Bdr Daffurn, whose family all live and work in Trowbridge, was second in command of a gunnery crew of five, firing the Artillery System 90s self-propelled gun.

His role was that of a ‘coverer’ responsible for all the ammunition as it goes through to get fired and accounting for rounds that are left at the end of the day.

He was also responsible for keeping an eye on the other ‘Gunners’ in the team, ensuring that they were doing the right thing at the right time.

The former John of Gaunt pupil said: “It feels pretty good to be a part of the bigger picture and it’s been interesting to see how it works when everyone comes together.

“It’s been a good experience apart from the weather, which has been horrendous but I am out here doing my trade and earning my money properly.”

L/Bdr Daffurn had already been out on the Otterburn Training Area since the beginning of February on a separate exercise before joining the larger scale Steel Sabre, living and working beside the huge gun in all weathers.

“You don’t realise how much you take things for granted until you come away on exercise or go away on operations. It is all the little things that you miss,” he added.

L/Bdr Daffurn, who was promoted just before Christmas, became a trainee bricklayer after finishing at John of Gaunt, but even at school he knew he was going to join the Army.

He said: “The Army was always going to be something I went into, I have always had an interest in it from a young age. I wasn’t going to be a bricklayer forever and getting promoted was a great Christmas present.”