TWO Territorial Army (TA) soldiers from the area have been honoured after returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Prince Charles met members of the Queen’s Own Yeomanry after they marched to Clarence House from nearby barracks for the award presentation.

Among them was Sergeant Barry Wilkinson from York, who said: “The prince said how he was really pleased that the likes of myself and the other Yeomanry guys were volunteering.”

Sgt Wilkinson, who was joined by his wife Tracy and daughters Katie, ten, and eight-year-old Molly, said afterwards: “I’m a builder. I was a site manager but then the credit crunch came along and wiped it out and that’s why I volunteered (for Afghanistan).

“The prince asked about the support from the public when we marched from Wellington Barracks. There was lots of clapping. He said how much it had increased over the year.”

Trooper Ben Cole, from Selby, also received a campaign medal. He was the youngest member of the Queen’s Own Yeomanry in Afghanistan at only 20. He is an IT student, but wants to join the Army full time. He said: “The Prince asked: ‘How was it?’ I said it was different, not what I expected. I expected to be getting shot at every morning. You get that, but you do have quiet days.”

The Queen’s Own Yeomanry is the TA’s only armoured reconnaissance regiment.