THE heat is on for one young Redditch soldier currently on exercise in Africa.
Andy Rich, 18, of Greenlands, is on "Exercise Grand Prix" with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Kenya.
But it's a big change of scene for the former Kingsley College pupil, who was Mounting the Guard at Buckingham Palace, just a month ago.
In temperatures nearing 50 degrees, he and his fellow Guardsmen are undertaking live firing exercises in the scrub.
"The heat just saps you up," said Guardsman Rich.
"We have to constantly drink water but the training in these conditions can be very tough.
"Most of the exercises start early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. But it is enjoyable.
"It's all so realistic. Crawling forward with a grenade to blow up a bunker - now that's an adrenaline rush."
He added: "Africa is an experience I won't forget. We finished training for the day and went down to a nearby river when a family of elephants came right down to the other bank for an evening drink. You can't beat that."
Guardsman Andy Rich, from Redditch, on exercise in Kenya.
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