Welshpool soldier feeding the frontline

A soldier from Welshpool has deployed on a military exercise to the Baltic state of Latvia, his first overseas deployment.

Private Emmanuel Bradford, 20, serves with 9 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (9RLC) based at Buckley Barracks, Hullavington, near Cirencester, Wiltshire.

Cameron, a Chef by trade, is taking part on Exercise Austere Shield.

The exercise, in northeast Europe, is testing the rapid deployment of troops and equipment under 104 Theatre Sustainment Brigade - the Army’s theatre enabling formation - held at constant high readiness to deliver forces anywhere in the world.

It is operating alongside 8 (UK) Engineer Brigade (8X) whose three specialist groups deliver support to the deployed force, infrastructure maintenance, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search.

The main exercise scenario is to secure and maintain a disused airbase, improve the runway, and land an aircraft as part of 8X’s role as a Theatre Enablement Brigade.

Exercising across three locations, activities began in early September and run until the end of October.

The chef, whose job it is to keep the troops fed, anywhere and anyhow, said: “This is my first overseas exercise, it has been a steep learning curve as I’m still relatively new to the trade.

“I will have worked a minimum of 12 hours a day for 43 days, and the team of six will have prepared and cooked over 15,200 meals during Austere Shield. With the relentless exposure there is no other option but to progress - improvement is inevitable.”

Emmanuel who enlisted in 2024, is currently enrolled on the Chef NVQ 2 course, part of the Army Apprenticeship Scheme. A programme that combines military service with career development, and a regular wage whilst you learn your trade and gain nationally recognised qualifications.

“As a chef it has taught me knife skills, food combinations that complement each other, timing and how to master the unpredictable field ovens,” he laughed. “My military skills have been about building confidence, how to communicate and cope when you are pushed out of your comfort zone in environments you don’t normally find yourself.”

Emmanuel, who was home schooled with his seven siblings until he was aged 14, attended Welshpool High for his GCSE’s.

He worked as a chef in South Queensferry before he enlisted but said: “I was that little boy who wanted to join the Army.”

The self-taught musician played piano at weddings before he joined up, and lists his other instruments as guitar, bass guitar, drums, harmonica and ukulele. He originally wanted to turn his passion for music into a career and join the Royal Corps Of Army Music but due to his dyslexia, “struggles to read music”.

“I didn’t let that stop me,” said Emmanuel. “My brother inspired me to look at other roles, and I took a year researching them, as the Army is more than just being in the infantry. As the youngest of eight, my Mum was ‘done with cooking’ by the time I arrived, so we would all get stuck in, which is why I could see myself doing it in the military."

When asked about his career, he said: “I struggled a lot in my basic training, it challenged me mentally but gave me my military skills, built confidence, and taught me how to communicate and cope when you are pushed out of your comfort zone in environments you don’t normally find yourself.

“Serving has given me financial stability, opened a plethora of doors, opportunities I would never find anywhere else that are unpredictable and exciting.

“It has matured the way I look at life, I now have a different perspective.”

He added: “Looking forward, I would love to represent the RLC Band, travel more and compete in a Tri-Service food competition.

“If I were to give one bit of advice it would be, find something to help you channel the best version of yourself.

“My trade training was one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I’d do it all again!”