The Ticket Collector

Iraqi serviceman kicked off train by Cross Country Trains.

A soldier returning from Iraq in full combat uniform was thrown off a train after a ticket inspector from Cross Country Trains demanded proof he was eligible for an Armed Forces discount. It seemed that wearing full combat uniform was not good enough proof of being in the Armed Force, and the inspector was more interested in his commission.

Rifleman Zachary Hoyland, 19, had been unable to pick up his Services railcard from barracks and was told the cheaper ticket he had been bought was not valid without it.

But the official refused to show any leniency and thinking of his commission, instead telling him: ‘I don’t know what you are complaining about. The official then said “It’s not as if you’ve taken a bullet or anything.”

With the help of a friendly passenger, Rifleman Hoyland had already managed to find the extra £50.50 he needed to pay the full fare.

But he was understandably outraged by the ‘bullet’ remark and swore at the ticket inspector - who, to the disbelief of other passengers, ordered him off the train at the next station.

After a gruelling three-day journey from the Iraqi front line, Rifleman Hoyland was forced to disembark at Chesterfield and had to wait for another train to take him the final ten miles to his home in Sheffield.

The soldier, who was wearing body armour and carrying his helmet and Army backpack at the time, yesterday admitted he had lost his temper.

But he insisted he did not physically harm the ticket inspector, who he accused of ‘not liking squaddies’.

“People on the train were looking at him and couldn’t believe what he was doing, and after I got off a bloke came over who had been on the train and said it was disgraceful. I admit I was kicking off, but I couldn’t believe he said that. Luckily none of my mates out there were killed, but for all he knew my best friend could have died. He doesn’t know anything and had no right to say something like that.”

He added: “I was nearly home when the ticket was checked and he said I had to pay £50.50 extra. I wasn’t happy, but in the end I offered to pay the difference between a discounted and a normal ticket. With the help of a girl on the train, I scraped together the money, but when he made that “taking a bullet” comment it really wound me up. It had been a long three days from Iraq and I was one stop from home. I said a few things that I shouldn’t have”

“He told me to get off the train. I didn’t want any trouble, I just wanted to get home so I got off and used the ticket to get on the next train.”

Rifleman Hoyland had been serving in Um Quasar in Iraq with 1st Battalion, The Rifles, guarding a naval port, escorting troops and carrying out search and patrol operations.

After flying back from Iraq, he had been unable to pick up his possessions at the barracks in Chepstow because it was closed.

The soldier said he was issued with the discounted ticket at Chepstow Station without a problem.

“I was in full deserts because I had no civilian clothes with me, so obviously I was coming home from duty,’ he added.”

His mother Samantha Wood, 40, said her son had volunteered to go to Iraq and is heading for Afghanistan in October. She commented, “The whole episode is absolutely disgusting, He has been in Iraq fighting and serving his country. He is not asking for any recognition for anything. People were clapping and cheering him when they saw his uniform.”

We have invited Arivia Cross Country Trains for comment, but they have yet failed to respond.