Lt Col Ed Freely, Royal Irish Regiment commanding officer, right, shows Prince Andrew a memorial to fallen members of the regiment at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, Shropshire.

Prince Andrew made a surprise visit to Shropshire yesterday to dish out military awards to county-based soldiers ahead of their next tour of Afghanistan. He also met soldiers’ families.

The Prince visited 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, near Market Drayton.

He spent several hours with the troops during the private visit, which he made in his capacity as Colonel in Chief of the regiment, a post he has held since 1992.

And Prince Andrew, who saw active service as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the Falklands War in 1982, handed out five long service and good conduct medals on his visit.

He also presented some of the 18 bravery awards handed to the regiment after their return from fighting the Taliban in Helmand province last October.

The Prince also watched a rugby match, met soldiers’ wives and families and spent time with troops in the officers’ mess.

Sergeant Lee Cox received a long service and good conduct award after notching up 15 years with the regiment. He said: “I think it was good for the lads to meet him.”

Captain Andy Shepherd, regiment spokesman, said: “It’s nice for the regiment to get recognition from the Colonel in Chief on a job well done.” He said the Prince presented some soldiers with their Mentions in Dispatches awards.

Prince Andrew’s visit comes after three soldiers collected coveted Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses – one level down from the Victoria Cross – from The Queen at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.