Brothers' Army tales inspire third sibling to sign up

THEY really are brothers-in-arms.

Jonathon Hunter, 19, is following in his two brothers' footsteps by joining the Army.

The former Archbishop Sentamu student, of east Hull, is joining the Royal Artillery.

His brother James, 28, is a bombardier – equivalent to a corporal – while older brother Peter, 29, is a lance-bombardier (lance-corporal).

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Jonathon said: "My brothers are having a great time in the Army.

"They have had the chance to travel and learn about what it takes to be a soldier as well as meeting a lot of new people from different backgrounds and cultures.

"When they came back from leave and told me stories about what they'd been up to I knew that I also wanted to be a part of the Army and begin a career which is a bit different from the norm."

Jonathon, who will complete 14 weeks training in Surrey, followed by another 14 weeks in Wiltshire, joins knowing there is a chance he will be sent to Afghanistan.

Under current plans, combat troops will withdraw from the warzone by the end of 2014.

He said: "If you choose to join the Army, you need to know the risks. You have just got to take it in your stride and get on with it.

"Peter has just got back from Afghanistan. He hasn't talked much about it, but that's Peter. He just gets on with the job."

Jonathon said his parents Helen and Harry have mixed feelings about his career choice.

He said: "They are both really proud.

"My dad is pleased I am doing something with my life. He doesn't want me to go into a dead-end job.

"But my mum is a bit anxious."

Jonathon was among several recruits who enlisted this week at the Hull Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) at Wenlock Barracks, west Hull.

Sports fanatic Cameron Watson, 18, also from Hull, has played for Nottingham Forest FC's youth team.

He has now set his heart on becoming a technician in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

He said: "I love playing sports, especially football, and the Army encourages you to keep your fitness up by taking part in a wide range of sports, including boxing and rugby, as well as football.

"I'll also get the opportunity to progress quickly so I'm really looking forward to getting started."

Warrant officer class 2 George Henderson, senior recruiter at Hull AFCO, said: "All 13 candidates have chosen challenging careers, from which they will gain many diverse skills while getting the opportunity to travel the world. They will gain valuable life experience that they just wouldn't get in any other walk of life."