A SOLDIER who helped tackle the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone has received a medal for his service.

Private Nick Clifford spent three months tackling the disease in West Africa earlier this year as part of Operation Gritlock.

The 24-year-old, a combat medical technician with 1 Armoured Medical Regiment, received a medal for his efforts during a parade at his barracks in Sennelager, Germany.

The Stockton Heath resident said: “We were dealing with patients on a day to day basis who either had the Ebola virus or were suspected sufferers.

“It was extremely busy to start with but patient numbers reduced towards the end of our deployment as awareness in Sierra Leone grew.

“It was a really testing environment to work in – there were not many shifts where we did not have patients being admitted.”

Private Clifford picked out one patient in particular who received the all clear after being seriously ill.

He added: “A personal highlight for me though was a man who came into the facility really ill but after about three weeks of treatment began to recover to the point where we were eventually able to discharge him.

“That was a fantastic morale boost and it was really satisfying to know we were making a difference.

Private Clifford has been based in Germany for three years and has also served in Kenya providing support on a military exercise and helped deliver aid and medical treatment to villagers.

Next up for the keen sportsman is an arduous training mission in the Canadian wilderness, and he believes his time in Sierra Leone is an experience that has developed him as a soldier.

He said: “The time I spent in Sierra Leone will undoubtedly help me with my future career but it has also given my valuable life experience.”