Beach landing, patrolling base, disrupting the ‘enemies’ supply lines and a night ambush are all part of a three-day exercise putting Bournemouth and Poole’s TA soldiers to the test.

Riflemen from across the South West took part in Exercise Lion Star in Cyprus, a two week training exercise working with regular soldiers, which has built up to the three day exercise they have just returned from.

The aim is to increase integration with the regular army, work at company level and for the riflemen to enjoy themselves.

On Monday morning the beach rang to the sound of pounding feet and orders were barked out as the riflemen advanced up the beach.

They advanced inland while they were “attacked” by the enemy.

Overnight on Monday the soldiers set up a base on higher ground. The following day they were busy patrolling, spying out the “enemy” to try and see what they were doing and trying to disrupt their supply lines, ahead of a night attack.

The enemy for this exercise is being played by the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire regiment.

Sergeant Jim Morgan, from Bournemouth, took a step back from his job as a solicitor and has been making a living as a full time and part time reservist.

He said: “I love it, I joined the Army later in life. I’m perhaps doing what I should have done earlier.”

He added that it had been good to see how the regulars operate and if they were up to the standard in the TA.

He said: “It’s nice to put the skills and drills into practice “Every time you do it, you get a bit better.”

Sergeant Morgan said that he joined the TA partly to get more excitement compared to a desk job and because everyone in his family had served.

He said it had given him a lot.

He said: “It’s given me confidence and a sense of pride.”

He added that even the scorching temperatures in Cyprus weren’t a problem.

He joked: “I grew up in the Caribbean, so maybe I have an in-built immunity to it, but yes, it’s hot.”

Rifleman Daniel Wallbridge, 25, is from Poole. He joined the TA more than two years ago and when he isn’t in the TA he is a support worker for children in the care system, as well as working for a company that runs training exercises for the army.

He said the exercise had been good so far.

He said: “It’s been quite slow, because of the heat they have had to take it as a slower place. It’s been enjoyable.”

For a week before the final three day exercise the riflemen went out on the firing ranges doing live fire exercises.

Rifleman Wallbridge said he enjoyed going away with the TA. He added that no matter what happen or how tough it was on training, when you got home it felt a bit boring to be back home.

He said the TA was a little addictive.

He said: “It’s a bit like a drug.”