ARRIVING at Archers Post in the evening it was easy to see why the Army had fallen victim to heatstroke.

The temperature was still high despite the time of day.

But within an hour things had changed and the skies had turned grey.

Sheet lightening accompanied the rolling thunder just as the patrols set out to ambush the enemy.

The following morning spirits were still high, although the rain pounded down through the night.

Lt Rob Honan, a former pupil of The King's School, Worcester, led one of the patrols during the night.

"It was incredible," said the officer, whose family lives in Hatfield, near Worcester.

"We were caught in the rain for 10 minutes and the road turned into a river. It was a case of can you complete or not and we decided we'd go back.

"It's got worse. If we had dinghies I think we'd have used them. The engineers decided to stay next to the river. One only had the clothes he was wearing after the camp was washed away."

The 26 year-old, who grew up in Malvern Road, St John's, was prepared for warm weather at Archers Post.

"I did three months in Cyprus, but I expected it to be warmer here," he said.

"But as all the blokes are saying, wherever the Army goes it rains. We're just glad it's not Sennybridge in Wales! The platoon has really enjoyed it, they've worked well together."

The training has confirmed to the officers involved that the soldiers are capable of taking up their future role of Operation Spearhead. They will be on 24-hour standby to be deployed anywhere in the world.

It has been rumoured that the Battalion will be heading to Afghanistan to help with the fight against terrorism.

"I'd have no qualms about taking them anywhere in the world," said Lt Honan.

"I know we're being considered for Afghanistan but I'd take these lads in. All of them are confident, especially having done this. The heat has been the main thing. It's been progressive, which is what we need. It's good experience for them and they'll cope well."