MEDIC soldiers fighting Ebola have returned from a seven-week tour of Sierra Leone – and said they are proud to have played their part in tackling the outbreak.

About 85 soldiers from 35 Squadron, 5 Medical Regiment, based in Catterick Garrison, as part of the British Army’s support to the UK’s attempt to contain the disease in West Africa.

The unit was deployed to Sierra Leone to man the Ebola Training Academy, which provides training to health care workers who are working in the five Ebola treatment units the UK is currently building.

Among the soldiers were Private Michael Pettite, 27, from Redcar, Private James Harmsworth, 25, from Leyburn, and Private Matthew Storey, 24, from Houghton-le-Spring.

Pte Harmsworth said: “Our job was to train services such as health workers, prison wardens and other people who may come into contact with Ebola.

“We taught them how to spot signs of infection and how to use Personal Protective Equipment.”

Pte Storey said: “We gave them an understanding of what Ebola is so they can train other people.

“I think knowledge is the main thing – we have given the knowledge and skills to tackle it.”

Pte Pettite said it was a shock for him and his colleagues to find how many local people thought Ebola was a man-made disease, or even a myth.

He said: “It was hard work to change the mindset and get people to understand it is from bats and bush meat.”

But they all agreed that despite the long hours and hard work travelling across Sierra Leone, the mission had been successful and an experience that made them all proud.

Pte Storey added: “We were all really well accepted by local people – they were really happy to see us there and wanted to learn.

“It was a shock for them to learn and in some respects they had to change their beliefs about Ebola but we got there.”

Pte Pettite added: “It is an operation we can all be proud of.”

Lieutenant Colonel Phil Carter, the Commanding Officer of 5 Med Regt, said: “During the course of our seven week deployment we trained more than 4,000 personnel which can only have a major impact on tackling the outbreak.

“Thanks to the commitment of my soldiers, many of whom were young and deploying for the first time, we achieved a high quality training course.”

Captain James Reider, Second in Command of 5 Med Regt, added: “Everyone in the local community wanted to do their bit – It will take a lot of work but hopefully we will see Sierra Leone back on its feet before long.”