Young Noah Clarke-Roberts was hoping for a reply to a letter he wrote to his local army unit saying he wanted to join when he grows up after studying the World Wars in school.
But the nine-year-old from Birkenhead got more than he bargained for when the Regimental Sergeant Major personally delivered the reply along with a daysack full of army goodies to his home in a six-tonne MAN troop-carrier.
A thrilled Noah was also invited to spend a day with 156 Royal Logistics Corp, based in Liverpool, after the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Armour, Regimental Sergeant Major at 156 Royal Logistics Corps Headquarters, Merseyside, said: “We received a letter of support from Noah saying he wanted to help and join when he’s older and asking us to write back to him. He even took the time to draw some pictures and put a little toy soldier in the envelope.
“It’s humbling to receive such support, especially from someone so young, and it touched quite a few of us around the headquarters so the squadron felt it was only right to send something back. We decided to put a little goody bag together and take it down in person, and once we’re back to normality, we’ll get him down so he can have a look inside the trucks, see what we do and get him doing some marching with the troops.”
Noah’s mum and dad Ryan and Danielle said he had been checking the post every morning since sending his letter in the hope a reply would arrive.
When he saw a soldier and army vehicle outside his door an astonished Noah said: “It’s unbelievable, I’m shocked!” He said he wrote the letter because he thought about how the people in the wars felt and that he wanted to help people in similar situations in the future if he could. He added: “It’s a tough job but I’d like to help our country.”
Danielle said she thinks he could make a good soldier one day. She said: “He’s very confident, not shy, very kind – a bit cheeky sometimes. I have googled to see how old you need to be to join the army cadets.”
Images: Corporal Rebecca Brown © MoD Crown Copyright 2020