Soldier, 18, will search for Taliban bombs in Afghanistan

Feb 18 2010 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

A TEENAGER is to face the Taliban on the frontline in Afghanistan.

Ryan Mercer from Llandudno Junction is just 18 years old, but will be doing arguably one of the most dangerous jobs in the world searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

He will be joining the frontline next month after spending two weeks on leave at home.

“My role is to search for the Taliban’s IEDs with metal detectors, which is pretty scary, said Ryan.

“I know it’s going to be dangerous as we’ll be coming into contact with the Taliban every day, but I’m proud to fight for my Queen and country.”

As a boy growing up in Llandudno Junction, Ryan admits he was going nowhere fast. By the age of 16 he had a social worker and was regularly getting into trouble for petty offences. A youth worker suggested he join the Army.

“I joined when I was 16 and have never looked back,” said Ryan.

“I’ve even got some of my mates to join up because I hate seeing people hanging around on street corners drinking and smoking.

“Since joining the Army I’ve travelled a lot, including spending a month in the Canadian Rockies because the terrain is like Afghanistan’s,” he said.

But the former Ysgol Aberconwy pupil admitted: “I don’t think we’ll win out there, not when you’ve got seven-year-olds blowing themselves up in the middle of a group of soldiers.”

His mum Jayne said: “Ryan joined up on Mothering Sunday two years ago. I was so proud of him because I wanted him to get out of the Junction.

“Since he joined the Army he’s grown into a very responsible young man.”

Jayne, who works at Tipyn Bach Chocolates in Llandudno, added: “On the day of his passing out parade I was the proudest mum alive. But as a mum, I’d prefer to go to the frontline instead of him.”