Soldier nears end of peacekeeping tour

Lance Corporal Carl Davies, 29, is one of around 280 soldiers and officers from 28 Engr Regt, presently based in Hameln, Germany, on the Mediterranean island undertaking a United Nations mission known as Operation Tosca.

The key task for the soldiers is to patrol the ‘buffer zone’ and ensure the existing status quo between the Greek Cypriot forces in the south and the Turkish forces in the north remains.

Carl, who has had previous deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, said: “Back in Germany I am part of the Automotive Bridge Launching Equipment section responsible for the maintenance of the bridging equipment and vehicles.

“However, in my role as the second in command of the Ledra Palace Hotel I have responsibility for making sure the hotel continues to run - dealing with the general maintenance of the building and resolving any faults that arise.

“So although I am still dealing with maintenance issues the size and complexities of the problems are completely different and the hotel, which is almost 50 years old, certainly keeps me busy.”

Carl, who has been in the Army for 12 years, has sailed, kayaked, mountain biked and rock climbed while in Cyprus.

Outside of Afghanistan, Op Tosca is the largest overseas British army operation.