A UNIVERSITY student from Sutton swapped his history books for a crack at completing one of the toughest military tests.

Officer Cadet Matthew Simons, 20, scooped a bronze medal as part of an eight-man team taking on Exercise Cambrian Patrol.

The annual event, organised and run by 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales, is both physically and mentally demanding and is a highlight in the British Army’s training calendar.

Speaking before the challenge, Matthew, of Northumbria University Officer Training Corps and who is studying history and politics, said: “This is an all-round test of military skills and it’s a proper challenge that every team member has to be up for if we’re going to do well.

“It’s about being switched on and making sure we navigated properly not to waste any time on the route. The toughest thing is coping with not having much sleep because that’s when your energy really starts to dip.

“But if we stick together and aim for as high a finish as we can then who knows what’s possible. It’s up to us all to keep the morale strong so we can pick up as many points as possible.

“Completing the patrol will be a real feather in our caps and there are no hiding places. We want to be proud to have done well in this.”

And they did do well, battling through for their third place.

Internationally, it is regarded as one of the toughest tests facing the modern-day soldier. and some foreign entrants have to claim the right to take part by winning through their own domestic competition.

This year’s event saw Bosnia take part for the first time, aiming to navigate their way through some of the harshest terrain in the Welsh Black Mountains.

They joined a record amount of international patrols – 21 – representing teams from New Zealand, Poland, Pakistan, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Australia, Holland, Ireland, India, Canada, Chile, Brazil, The Royal Army of Oman, USA, Poland, Switzerland, Lithuania, Nepal and Georgia.