A DINAS Powys soldier has returned from Afghanistan to be awarded with a sergeant trophy for outstanding effort and ability.

Sergeant Dave Chant was one of 85 soldiers from The Queen’s Dragoon Guards to receive the Operational Service Medals during a presentation in Sennelager, Germany, last month.

Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall KBE CB, made the presentation following their successful return from the final combat deployment in Afghanistan.

During their six month deployment on Operation Herrick 20 the QDG carried out a myriad of different tasks working closely both with their Afghan counterparts and NATO colleagues.

Each Squadron had a different role to deliver from assisting instructors at the Afghan Regional Corps Battle School, to working as part of the Brigade Advisory Team with the Afghan National Security Force Liaison Team providing guidance to the 3rd Brigade of 215 Corps on matters such as Brigade Planning – the first and last Cavalry regiment to undertake such a role – through to the Brigade Reconnaissance Force responsible for identifying and disrupting insurgent forces posing a threat to Camp Bastion.

One of those soldiers was Sergeant Dave Chant, from Dinas Powys, who was employed as a troop sergeant in the Brigade Advisory Team, ensuring the smooth running of his troop and liaison to the Afghan National Army.

Dave said: “I am very proud to know that we have left the Afghan National Army in the best possible position to carry out future operations.”

Having deployed on six operational tours Sergeant Dave Chant was presented with the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, as well as The Queen Elizabeth Trophy which is presented to the Sergeant of the Regiment who has demonstrated outstanding effort and ability, which sets him apart from his peers.

On receiving this coveted trophy Dave said: “I am very surprised and flattered."

On occasion Dave would play football with the Afghans, however, being a big rugby fan he did attempt to introduce them to rugby.

Dave said “The Afghans like a good kick about, but they just couldn’t grasp rugby, unlike your average Joe back home in Wales."

As part of the day’s proceedings and to recognise the support the families provide to their soldiers The Queens Dragoon Guards Welfare Office team organised for the children of the Regiment their own mini-heroes parade where they all received their own miniature Afghan medals from the officiating officers -which they were wore with just as much pride.

The medals parade marked the completion of The Queens Dragoon Guards 11 years of service in the Middle East. The Regiments soldiers were amongst the first into Iraq in 2003 and are now amongst the last out of Afghanistan in 2014. From armoured reconnaissance to police advising, offensive operations, helicopter strike forces, battle school mentoring, route clearance and ANA Brigade advising, the Queens Dragoon Guards have performed a wide range of tasks in both theatres over six deployments.

The Colonel of the Regiment said: “I would like to thank you all on parade today for your unstinting efforts in Afghanistan and for sustaining and enhancing the reputation of your cap badges and the British Army”

The Queens Dragoon Guards will be conducting Freedom of the City Parades, marching through Shrewsbury on Wednesday, December 10, and Swansea on Friday, December 12.