A VETERAN of the Falklands War, who has spent the past few months helping to train Government troops in Sierra Leone, Africa, has taken a top Army post in the region.

Brigadier Bill Moore will command 19 Mechanised Brigade, which has regiments based at Catterick Garrison, Topcliffe and Ripon in North Yorkshire.

Units have served recently in Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland, although Brigadier Moore joins the brigade as the emphasis switches from operational duties around the world to training.

"We will be spending 2002 bringing all the elements of the brigade together - infantry, artillery, armour, and air defence - learning new methods of fighting as a collective unit,'' he said.

"Once that is complete, we will become a high readiness brigade and could be sent anywhere in the world.''

However, 43-year-old Brigadier Moore admits, for now, he is perfectly happy with his new base at Catterick Garrison.

"It is fantastic here. The facilities are good, Richmond and Darlington are nearby and the Yorkshire Dales are on the doorstep.

"In fact, I was only walking in the hills a few days ago. It rained and I got extremely wet, but it was fantastic just the same.''

Brigadier Moore is married, with two sons.

He joined the Army from university in 1979, going on to command a battery with 7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, before becoming a member of staff at Army Staff College in 1994.

He returned to 7 Para, RHA, as commanding officer two years later before a posting in 1998 to the Directorate General of Doctrine and Development, set up to devise a long-term plan for the British Army.

After completing the Army's Higher Command and Staff Course, he was sent to Sierra Leone as Assistant Chief of Staff Operations - effectively coordinating Government forces in the field.