Former Hardye student always on the lookout Marine Ross Brook is preparing to celebrate Christmas in one of the most volatile regions on Earth.

The Weymouth serviceman is braving security threats in Iraq to help train the country’s sailors.

Ross, 20, is based in Umm Qasr in Southern Iraq where the Royal Navy is training Iraqis to run their maritime force.

The former pupil of Dorchester’s Thomas Hardye School is part of a force protection team guarding armoured Mastiff vehicles, which make regular journeys across Iraq to Kuwait to collect and deliver people and supplies.

He said: “I normally operate as a top gunner on the Mastiff vehicles, so I provide covering firing if we come into contact with insurgents.

“I’ve been in Iraq for a few months and coming to this kind of place is why I became a Royal Marine really.

“There’s a threat here but you just get on with your job which is to protect people.”

An agreement between Britain and Iraq for the mentoring mission was extended recently, meaning British personnel will remain in Iraq until May.

Ross lives in basic accommodation near the Iraqi coast and Iraqi sailors from a nearby base train on patrol boats and travel to the country’s two oil platforms.

The oil being collected from the platforms in the North Arabian Gulf is extremely valuable and worth more than 75 per cent of Iraq’s total Gross Domestic Product.

Despite the co-operation going on between America, Iraq and Britain there is an enduring insurgent threat.

The route in from Kuwait has been laid with roadside bombs in recent weeks and small arms fire has been directed at American bases nearby.

He said: “We’re normally based at Faslane in Scotland so it’s more risky than there, but it’s quite quiet and safe in general.

“We’ve got a good team on the vehicles meaning we can be as secure as possible.”

Ross qualified as a Commando six months ago and his cousin, James Wright, is also a Marine with 42 Commando after joining 18 months ago.

Ross said: “We both liked the idea of joining the forces and being a Royal Marine in particular – it’s really tough to get in and you really feel you’ve earned it when you do.”

His mum and dad, Terri and Chris, live in Old Castle Road, Weymouth.

Royal Navy Captain Gary Sutton, who is in charge of around 80 Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel at Umm Qasr, said: “The British have been working with coalition partners here for several years so that the oil platforms can be protected.

“The Iraqis are getting close to the stage where they can carry out that role for themselves and our job is simply to mentor and advise them.”