The monarch then put on a set of ear defenders as he sat in the firing seat and called “ready” and visibly winced as he pulled the firing lever.
Sergeant Neil Mitchell, of 14 Regt, 34 Battery, praised his firing technique at pulling the firing lever.
He said of the King: “The first one he didn’t give it a good enough pull but the second time was faultless.”
He then added jokingly: “I was going to ask him if he could start on Monday.”
Speaking of their experience of meeting the King, staff sergeant Bethan Preston-Newman, of the 104th Regiment based in Newport, Wales, said: “It was a once-in-lifetime opportunity to meet the King and really nice to explain what the reserves do.”
Lance Bombardier Rebecca Haynes, also based in Newport, said: “It was a great honour to be here and represent the regiment.”
Discussing the King’s visit, Lance Bombardier Alexandra Robinson, based in Worcester, said: “He is definitely interested in us as people and it’s definitely an honour to be here.”
