ENGINEERS from Aldershot's Territorial Army are set for a deployment to Afghanistan.

Local MP Gerald Howarth visited the home of the engineers in Shoe Lane on Saturday (February 18), to talk about the troops’ role in the conflict and the training they have completed to prepare for their tour.

They will leave on March 6 for a six-month deployment with the Royal Engineer Regiment.

One of those heading for the war zone is Sapper Louise Mayner from North Camp, who is a signaller with the TA.

The 36-year-old has previously deployed to Northern Ireland and Iraq, when she served with the regular army, but has never before toured in Afghanistan.

She said: “I will be based at Camp Bastion which will be safe, so I don’t feel too anxious.

“We have done so much training and I feel prepared for it now. I’m actually looking forward to it.”

When Spr Mayner is not serving with the TA, she is a full-time prison custody officer in Aldershot.

Her husband serves with the Coldstream Guards and is due to start his pre-deployment training in September.

She said: “It will obviously be hard being apart but we are used to it.

“We are both professional soldiers and know we have to go and do it. That’s why you join up – to deploy."

The role of the engineer troop is to provide support to the headquarters of the 8 Force Engineer Brigade.

The troop is made up of signallers, drivers, electricians, vehicle mechanics, chefs and clerks.

Site navigation

• Home
• News
• Business
• Sport
• Entertainment
• Lifestyle
• Jobs
• Property
• Motoring
• Classifieds

• A A