answered the call to duty.

Of the 200 rookie soldiers selected for military training at Warwick Camp 185 were present and correct on the first day of camp on Sunday morning.

But two of the nine female volunteers appear to have backed out at the last minute and failed to report for duty.

Regiment adjutant Captain Edward Lamb said: "It's an excellent turnout and we are very pleased.

"Of the 15 men who failed to show up there could be some extenuating circumstances as to why they didn't appear. Sometimes there are valid reasons why people can't make it. It could be that, in the time between picking up all their kit before Christmas and when camp starts they get accepted for school.

"Or we have had cases in the past when people might have to go overseas for other reasons.''