Teenagers tell of life on the frontline in the Afghan warzone

There aren't many people who can say they played a major role in fighting the world drugs war and tackled Taliban fighters by the age of 18.

But that is the case for battle-hardened Private Bradley Fleming and Private Scott Brady of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

The pair, now 19 and 20 respectively, are members of the Second Battalion of PWRR – nicknamed the Tigers because it was formed from the old Hampshire Tigers and Queens Regiments.

In tours of Afghanistan they have faced ambushes, seen heroin labs cleared and helped build links with the local population.

In tours of Afghanistan they have faced ambushes, seen heroin labs cleared and helped build links with the local population.

Pte Fleming, from Cowplain and a member of B Company, said: 'We're normal lads who have been to places that are definitely not normal. I carry photos of my parents, brothers and sister with me to remind me of home when I'm in Afghanistan – and you need that.

'I've been in fierce fighting on tour and it's our training that keeps us going through contacts and ambushes.'

Pte Fleming and Pte Brady have more than a year's experience of the conditions in Helmand province, which can range from burning desert heat to sub-zero chill in a matter of hours.

Pte Brady, from Gosport and a member of A Company, said: 'I'm on my second tour of Afghanistan but this time I've trained as a sniper.

'It's good to have the extra training and career progress, that's one of the big advantages of the army.

'The last tour I did was based in Musa Qala which has seen a lot of the most aggressive fighting.'

Musa Qala, which means Fortress of Moses, is a district of 50,000 people in the north of Helmand province, the British area of operations.

PWRR troops there are tackling one of the major heroin routes that goes north to the mountains.

The town itself has been taken by British troops, claimed by the Taliban and then been taken back.

Pte Brady said: 'I've done four years with the army and working here has been the highlight.

'It can be scary but we've got a job to do, and there's a great spirit with the lads.'