FATHER and son soldiers Mervyn and Matthew Balcombe shared a double celebration during their annual regimental camp.
Despite the age gap between the two - Mervyn is 47 and a sergeant, while Matthew is 18 - they serve side by side at Newton Aycliffe with the volunteers of 102 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Mervyn, from Bishop Auckland, has served with the territorials while working as a heavy goods vehicle driver and is now on course for a full-time career with them as a driving instructor.
Matthew was one of his pupils and he passed his test during the camp at Tregantle Fort, in Cornwall.
At the same time, Mervyn was presented with the first bar to his Territorial Efficiency Medal (TEM), marking 18 years' service, by Brigadier Nigel Wood.
He said: "I am extremely proud to have gained the bar to my TEM. It is a great achievement for me."
Matthew has been in the Territorial Army for a year and is already a class three vehicle mechanic
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