A FORMER Uttoxeter resident and prison officer have returned home after six months representing their Queen and country in war-ravaged Afghanistan.
Soldiers from D Coy, 4 MERCIAN (Volunteers) have been welcomed home from their highly successful tour of duty in Afghanistan, and they included former Uxonian Sergeant Paul Minor and HMP Dovegate officer James Holmes.
During their six month tour attached to 3 MERCIAN (Staffords), the soldiers from the Crewe and Stoke on Trent areas supported ISAF forces in Southern Helmand Province, contributing to improving the lives of the Afghan people and playing a key role in the ongoing reconstruction work.
Newly-promoted Sergeant Minor, who still has family in the town, has been with the regiment for seven years.
The 39-year-old said: “It was very difficult leaving behind family and friends, but I really wanted to contribute to the positive work ISAF are doing in Afghanistan.
“The opportunity for us to further develop ourselves as individuals has also been great, and I feel we can all bring what we’ve learned back into our civilian lives.” Sergeant Minor, who lives in Bury and is a firefighter in civilian life, said while he was there he lived in the compound which was made into a security check point. His main job was protection of the area for the main base and population.
He added: “We had close interaction with the local population and we spoke to quite a few of the farmers.
“I have been in the Territorial Army for quite a while without doing an operational tour and I felt I needed to do it for myself to further my knowledge and experience. It allowed me to give something back and go out there to see what they are experiencing.
“It also allows me to train up other lads preparing to go out.” 4 MERCIAN provide soldiers for operations overseas and to support the community, making a contribution to the strength of the armed forces.
Corporal Holmes, 25, said: “My aim in the TA was always to go on operations. It was an honour to get the opportunity to do so, and although at times it challenged everyone to their limits, it was a great experience and I am extremely proud to have served in Afghanistan.” On their return Major Nick Clarke, Officer Commanding D Coy 4 MERCIAN, formally presented three soldiers with new ranks.
He said: “It has given me great pleasure to present these soldiers with their new ranks following excellent post operational reports from their tour of duty in Afghanistan.
“They have completed a highly professional job in gruelling conditions and have set a shining example to the soldiers serving alongside them at D Coy to follow. Working in an environment such as Afghanistan will give these soldiers many valuable skills to take back into their civilian careers, such as teamwork, leadership and working under extreme pressure, and they should be extremely proud of their achievements.” 4 MERCIAN is keen to hear from employers and individuals who are interested in what is on offer to soldiers and officers.
More information on D Coy 4 MERCIAN is available by phoning 01270 650 017 or e-mailing 4MERC-DCOYPSAO@mod.uk.
