Trio go from Clifton Comp to sergeant majors

Mark Woodthorpe (39), Jamie Pearson (38) and Chris Barnes (33) all went to Clifton Comprehensive School before joining the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment — now 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

The three friends have risen through the ranks, each going from private to sergeant major and are now leading their regiment on operations in Estonia.

Father-of-two Chris said: “Serving alongside Mark and James is brilliant.

“I actually feel quite proud, knowing that we all grew up together living in the same Herringthorpe estate, doing a really important job for Her Majesty’s Army.

“There is never a dull moment when we are together and the banter is relentless, and if things get tough we always have each other to get us through it.”

The three are currently serving part of the British’s contribution to NATO’s deployment on the Continent and have been training Estonian and Danish allies since June.

Father-of-one Mark, whose wife Celine served in the Army for 11 years, said: “Estonia is a tour like no other that I’ve had the pleasure to serve on.

“The opportunities to train with multinational forces are great and we all learn from each other.

“It has given me the chance to work closely with my platoon and get the best from each person without distraction.

“We are tested each day to keep the lads motivated and challenge them — this is a wonderful chance for the battalion to test themselves on an important task.”

Mark and father-of-two James have been in the army for over 20 years, with Chris having served 15 years. In that time they’ve served in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. Their paths have crossed regularly, from living on the same street in Warminster in Wiltshire, where they’re based when not on deployment, serving on the same tours or instructing at the famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

However it hasn’t all been hard work. Chris added: “I’ve played football in America three times and once in Slovakia.

“I’ve won the Infantry and Army Football Cups. I’ve competed at alpine skiing. I’ve been on two separate overseas exchanges to Australia and New Zealand — it’s all been brilliant.

“The Army gives you all these great opportunities to better yourself, and enjoy yourself.”

Chris, whose nephew is about to join the regiment, said ideal candidates for the army needed to have “a positive attitude” and “willingness to learn”.

The trio will be serving in Estonia until spring when they will return to Warminster. But their stay in the south won’t be for long as the regiment is returning to Yorkshire in 2020, with both battalions to be based in Catterick. The sergeant majors may also be flying out for operations in Ukraine and training in Canad