STEPPING into their Poole drill hall it’s hard to believe some of these men are going to war.

The soldiers from Dorset’s TA company are talking, doing paperwork, and training on a mortar.

Seven of them are flying to Afghanistan to serve with the regulars of 1 Rifles in Helmand province.

They belong to C-Company of 6 Rifles and the unit has detachments on Wallisdown Road and in Dorchester barracks.

“If someone dies, it’s one of the few times, and for the wrong reasons, that people hear about the TA,” said Captain Richard Stewart, 49, from Bridport. “People don’t realise the TA goes out and does the same job as the regulars.”

Rifleman Matt Berry, 25, from Strouden Park in Bournemouth, is one of two men going from the Poole detachment.

“I’m looking forward to going,” he said.

“There’s going to be changes from last time I was there, but we are very well prepared.”

The other man deploying from the Poole detachment is father-of-one Rifleman Mark Parry, a 28-year-old paint sprayer from Boscombe.

His age is typical – many of the TA men are in their late 20s, that bit older than the regulars.

Cpt Stewart said: “When it comes to the talking to the locals, and understanding cultural differences, they are pretty good.”

Sgt Darren Gornall, 36, was a regular soldier who left the forces, joined 6 Rifles and served in Afghanistan, and then rejoined the regulars.

“I missed being in the army,” said the resident of Kinson in Bournemouth, now a member of 1 Rifles.

“The job, the life, and being around blokes with a similar mindset.”

1 Rifles will be deployed to Nahr-e Sarj. The regiment had previously rotated through the notorious Sangin area, which is now under American control.

Private Phil Allen, 20, from Verwood was one of three Dorset Rifles soldiers killed around Sangin during 2009 and 2010.

His mum, Karen Charman-Allen, told the Echo when the British moved out: “Not matter where the men are out there, there’s still a risk – but my reaction was, ‘thank God for that’.”

Other members of C Company deploying include Rifleman Benjamin Fagan, 22, from Portland, Rifleman Connor Minshall, 18, from Weymouth, and Rifleman Jonathan Spriggs, 27, from Dorchester.