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In 1997 James joined the Queen’s Royal Hussars, completing his initial three month Basic Training at Winchester.   He then moved to Bovington for three months to complete Phase Two training.  Since then he has served six months in Northern Ireland, where he was a member of the last tour to be awarded the Northern Ireland medal.  At the end of 1998, following two periods at Caterick, he was posted to Germany for three years as a Gun Loader on Challenger I and Challenger II Tanks and as a fuel tanker driver.  Later, during his Army career he served in the USA, Switzerland, Poland, Russia and Canada, including a 28 day exercise on the Prairies.

During his Army career he gained his Advanced Skiing Proficiency whilst in Switzerland and Bavaria.  He also played Rugby for his Regiment, including at international matches in France and Belgium.  He successfully reached the Army trials, sustaining several sporting injuries including ripping the nerves in his arm and fracturing his skull!

He says that the thing about being in the Army was cigarettes at £1.20 per packet and 23p for a bottle of Becks!

In October 2001, James left the Army and now works as a class one truck driver in East Yorkshire.

               
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[last updated: November 2002]