My Son's in Afghanistan: Maybe It Might Be Doing Some Good?

A telephone call from her son has set our soldier's Mum Mandy wondering if there might not be a reason to be in Afghanistan

“Oh mum!……Listen to this. I’m standing right in front of a ferris wheel, near a small fun fair, and slap bang in the middle of a city. I can’t say where, over the phone, but I could be in London! Well, apart from the heat….it’s still a killer. There are about twenty children hanging off my legs, all laughing and joking, and one of them, he’s about Tom’s age, speaks perfect English. I’m stopping people in cars and he’s translating for me. I really can’t believe it! And the kids here mum, they go to school! It’s how the whole of Afghan could be.”

Immediately I have visions of suicide bombers and car loads of Taliban all surrounding him. He just laughs. I think I would rather have him back in the mountains.

Ross had one night back at base and was moved straight out the next morning. He hasn’t slept.  “…had to sort out my kit. Is Beenie there?  It’s our anniversary.... ….”

I run like a mad woman to the house across the road where she is babysitting, praying that the connection will still be there for her. It was. Of course he had the wrong date completely and she wasted no time warning him to prepare for the dire consequences! He loved the present that she’d sent. And she’ll open hers next week. Apologies to baby Ann-Marie, who started crying when the phone had rung. Naughty nanny will never shut you in the bathroom again.

Ross proudly believes in what he is doing. And democracy, he says, is a commodity that has to be bought and paid for. I guess you just have to be a soldier to take this view to the wire. The battle, for me, is far closer to home. All through his training he was given the very best. They all were. But that changed once he was deployed, and for me is a pivotal point that I cannot overlook. Recruitment is down. Well thank god! Not so good though if you are already enlisted.

The deal being dealt to our Services, by this government, is nothing short of criminal. The shortages of equipment, ammunition and resources are well documented. Our freeloading and corrupt politicians, likewise. There is slow progress in Afghanistan but the media  make their money only if they can quantify the dead. So they do. It says a lot about acceptance on our part.

I get physically sick when our politicians offer their condolences. It would mean something if they would back our soldiers whilst they were still alive. There are many arguments about why we are over there. Ross always said that it was never ‘just about the poppies.’ I always said it was. Seems he was right.

Two more British paratroopers died in Afghanistan this week.

WO2 Mark Williams was 40 and had served with 2 Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, for 22 years. His company commander Major Adam Dawson said: "Mark Williams was a rock. When the situation was swirling around him he would be level-headed and down to earth, able to cut through the uncertainty and doubt. His humanity was ever present and touched all aspects of his soldiers, who grew in his example." 

Pte Joe Whittaker was 20 years old and joined the TA in 2005 transferring to 4 Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in October last year. He came from Stratford-upon-Avon. He played for Stratford Hockey Club and ran for Stratford Athletic club.  His CO Lt-Col Ben Baldwin said: "Joe had that infectious optimism that goes with all young Paratroopers.  Forthright and courageous, he showed great spirit and committed himself wholeheartedly in any task given to him. Joe Whittaker died a paratrooper."