A Dorchester soldier has won a top award in an annual photography competition that shows Afghanistan through soldiers’ eyes.

Corporal Gary Kendall, 35, took the title of Professional Photographer of the Year at the Army Photograph-ic Competition awards, which were held at the Imperial War Museum in London.

The father-of-two, who lives with his wife Bene in Garland Crescent, not only won this main award but he was also the runner -up for Best Operational Image.

The competition, run by the Army, aims to show Afghanistan as seen through the soldiers’ eyes and is open to all Army and Territorial personnel and Ministry of Defence civilians who work directly for the Army.

Cpl Kendall, whose wife is expecting their third child in May, had only completed his photographic training in April this year at RAF Cosford.

His portfolio consisted of images from Afghanistan where he served on the Op Herrick 12 tour and spent a lot of time on the ground recording and gathering images.

The former Dorchester Middle School pupil, who is currently based with 4th Mechanised Brigade in Catterick, said it was an honour to win both awards early in his career.

He said: “I was ecstatic when I found I’d won. It’s really good to win so early on in my career as a photographer.

“I’ve always loved photography and when I joined the Army as a driver I later found out about the photographic training. But I’m always a soldier first.

“In Afghanistan I did everything the other guys were doing but getting pictures on the way.

“I still carry my rifles.

“But until I feel the need to pick up my rifle I’ll carry on taking pictures.”

Cpl Kendall’s photographs have appeared in national newspapers.

When presenting the awards, General Sir Peter Wall said: “Today recognises the work of our professional and amateur photographers and illustrates the faces of Army life.

“There are some outstanding images that have taken skill, and in some cases, courage to capture and I congratulate them all.

“This is a splendid collection.”