A SOLDIER from York who has served in Afghanistan will perform a collection of spectacular stunts at a top military motorcycle display.

Corporal David Cryle, 26, is one of 24 soldiers in the 83-year-old military White Helmet motorcycle display team who perform on vintage Triumph motorcycles all over the UK.

The team, who perform human pyramids and leap through hoops of fire, consists entirely of serving soldiers from the Royal Signals unit.

David, who was based in Lashkah Gah as an Army communications system operator, said being part of the team was in complete contrast to his previously operationally focused postings, but it was a change he revelled in.

“This year for my tricks I am concentrating on the Cossacks, which is when I ride the trick bike backwards with two others holding on to each other on one leg with the other leg out, hands out, and we go around the arena backwards with me steering the bike with my butt cheeks,” said David, who while serving in Afghanistan found himself only 400 metres from a suicide bomber.

“We were within the compound walking near the front gate when an insurgent went running towards a returning patrol of soldiers and blew himself up right at the front end of the lead vehicle,” he said.

“Luckily he wasn’t carrying enough explosives to kill anyone else, but it was a strange feeling.”

Now back in the UK, and promoted to corporal, the former Lowfield Secondary School student, who also attended Westfield Primary School, in Acomb, where his parents Mark and Veronica still live, felt he wanted a posting within the Army he could have a little fun with.

“With this year’s display I’m also part of the opening ride out doing crossovers, and I do the jump ride, and I’m on the front of the bike for the ‘Tableau’ which is my personal favourite.”