Help to bring Christmas cheer to our local troops (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Help to bring Christmas cheer to our local troops

TREATS FOR OUR TROOPS: READERS of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News are being urged to send treats to troops serving in Afghanistan this Christmas.

We are calling on readers to show their support by sending Christmas presents to north and west Wiltshire soldiers serving with the 1st battalion Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry, who flew out to the war-torn nation in October.

During the six-month tour the 500-strong battalion will be split between Afghan capital Kabul and the country's second city, Mazar-e Sharif, in the northern deserts close to the border with Uzbekistan.

In Kabul their main tasks are to provide security and assistance to the locals and train the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. In Mazar-e Sharif the battalion is helping with the reconstruction effort.

Captain Jasper Mann, speaking to the Wiltshire Times from Afghanistan, described what Christmas would be like for soldiers without their loved ones.

"We take it as part of life in the army," he said. "Not being with your family is a downside but we are here with friends and colleagues.

"We will celebrate Christmas. Traditionally the army will have a Christmas meal where the officers will serve the soldiers. We have an army chaplain who will perform a Christmas service."

Soldiers are given credit for a 20-minute phone call to their families every week and have access to internet terminals to send emails. Phonecards are available to buy if they want to speak for longer and each soldier will have 14 days leave during the tour.

Soon after the tour began the regiment was rocked by the death of 23-year-old Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood, from Ross-on-Wye. He was killed in a gunfight in northern Afghanistan in October.

Capt Mann said the battalion had a memorial service on Remembrance Day.

He said: "A fatality does affect morale. Unfortunately you have to come to terms with it quickly and make sure we don't allow it to affect us too much."

Describing conditions in the Middle Eastern country, he added: "It is very testing. There have been a number of incidents in Afghanistan. For 99 per cent of the guys they joined the army for this very reason. They are being used in their professionally trained capacity. It is a challenge.

"The people are incredibly friendly. Everywhere we drive both children and adults are waving and saying thank you. Lots of them have never known the country not to be at war until now."

Defence secretary John Reid announced on Thursday the Queen had given her assent for the RGBW to be given a new title.

The regiment will merge with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Light Infantry and the Green Jackets. to form the Rifles.

Top brass have agreed the regiment's famous black badge will appear on caps, which make up ceremonial dress. A decision has not been made on whether the badge can be worn in everyday service on soldier's berets.

How to send the gift

To send a Christmas present to soldiers serving in Afghanistan the army have set up a collection point at their base barracks in Chester.

Wrap up the gift and on the front place a label with the following address: Captain Sid Cobbold,

Op Santa, Dale Barracks, Liverpool Road, Moston, Chester, CH2 4BD.

On the reverse of the present place a second label with your name followed by Wiltshire Times Treats for Troops, North and West Wiltshire.

No cigarettes, alcohol, aerosols or perishables are allowed.

All the gifts gathered at the regiment's base will be flown out to the troops in time for Christmas.

In the run up to Christmas the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News will be publishing soldier's messages to their loved ones back home.