Ilkley soldier in Gibraltar

A SOLDIER from Ilkley is currently spending a month on duty in the British Dependency of Gibraltar. Corporal Robert Chapman, 27, is amongst 90 soldiers currently serving with A Company of the First Battalion of the Light Infantry which has taken over Gibraltar garrison duties for four weeks from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. Cpl Chapman has primarily been involved with ceremonial guard duties outside the Governor's residence which British soldiers have been continually providing since 1704. While on the famous rock, Cpl Chapman has been undergoing training designed to sharpen military skills and provide a taste of Gibraltar's unique environment. The military training is based around the rock and the 30 miles of tunnels inside it. But he has also found time for some fun with sailing, diving, power-boating and taking day trips to Spain and Morocco. Cpl Chapman said: "This is my first visit to Gibraltar - I have been to many places in the army but this is all new to me. I really enjoyed the water sports and the training which was unlike anything I've done before." Former Ilkley Grammar School pupil Cpl Chapman joined the Light Infantry in 1988 and has served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Jordan, The United States and has also visited Nepal.