A DOZEN reservists from Herefordshire are deployed over Christmas with the 6th Battalion The Rifles.

They will be away from home on Christmas Day as they are part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus, tasked with maintaining the 180km buffer zone which has divided the island since 1964.

Lieutenant Joseph Partridge, 25, is an optometrist who lives and works in Hereford. Like over 200 others, he put down his civilian work for nine months to deploy.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for us, both as a unit and as individuals," he said.

"People have set aside their careers, put on their uniform and have served their country as diligently and professionally as any regular unit that has gone before us."

On Christmas Day, Lt Partridge and other officers and senior soldiers will take over the duties of the Riflemen to allow them the day off.

He said: "We've organised a number of events throughout the day including warm drinks and presents delivered to their doors in the morning and Christmas dinner in the afternoon."

"Christmas away from home is difficult on any operation but this year will be even harder with an extra month of quarantine added and no opportunity to return home for rest and recuperation. We're doing everything we can to make it that bit easier for both our soldiers and their families."

One of the jobs the Riflemen will relinquish on Friday is their patrolling, which is usually conducted 24 hours a day on foot, bicycle or in vehicles.

They are there to monitor the buffer zone for changes and incursions, and ultimately to maintain a stable environment and prevent a recurrence of fighting.

Although they haven't been able to travel home freely, the Riflemen have had time off in the months leading up to Christmas. When the opportunity arises, individuals have been able to explore the island and enjoy activities including parachuting and scuba diving.

Lt Partridge said: "The Riflemen have been able to get out and about and we've also used the time we've had together to improve skills such as literacy and numeracy through the Army Education Centre. We've been running leadership training for everyone to prepare them for promotion courses on their return.

"These are all skills that they will return to their employers with when they return to the UK."

The battalion is set to return to the UK at the end of March when, following a period of rest and a homecoming parade in Exeter on the May 22, the Riflemen will return to their civilian careers.