According to the latest news, another British soldier has been killed by enemy fire. My respect to all those soldiers out there fighting terrorism. Tom
Our sympathy to each family. We Canadians have lost 103 in our time there. CBC News In Depth: Afghanistan The men and women I have talked to believe they are making a difference to the quality of life of the Afghan folks. I support them. Evil will prosper when good people do nothing. This is not a puzzle that will be solved in a short time, but over a long time. Give them the tools and give them your support! phil
Hi, Had to visit Sunderland Cemetery over Christmas and saw the latest addition to the CWGC plot.Sad to say he probably won`t be the last.Rest in Peace Nathan Regards Verrieres Private Nathan Cuthbertson was killed on 8 June, 2008, by a suicide bomber in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan. He was 19. Pte Cuthbertson was serving as a Machine Gunner and Infantry Assault Engineer with the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. Regards Verrieres
I can only pay my humble respect to the brave souls fighting for at better world. But it is hard to see young men at my own age paying the ultimate price. I pray and hope my own cousin will stay safe when he is joining up with the forces in Afghanistan in february. 3 danish soldiers were killed the 22nd dec, that makes a total of 22 danish soldiers killed in the conflict. The Copenhagen Post
Owen;- Do the Government help pay for their funerals? Hi, Not sure about our Government I believe the matter was raised in Canada in 2007 Under their current regulations(2007), the military paid about $4,700 for a funeral, excluding the plot and headstone. Defence department estimated the average cost of a funeral was about $7,500 Questions were asked after the family of a Canadian soldier publicly said they hadn't been fully compensated for the funeral of their son, Cpl. Matthew Dinning, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.The bill from the funeral home was $12,151, said Mr Lincoln Dinning Matthews father, who also went on to say that the military has offered just $5,600 in compensation/help.Not to sure if all thats been resolved but someone might have a bit more up to date information. Regards Verrieres
Sorry chaps, I didn't even know the Dutch & Danes were there? How many Nationalities have sent troops to Afganistan?
Hi, These figures are out of date but give a basic run down on the countries involved I Apologise for any omitted. United States - 20,600 (total number of US troops in Aghanistan is 32,500 including National Guard.) United Kingdom - 8,330 Germany - 3,310 France 2,730 Canada - 2,500 Italy - 2,350 Netherlands - 1,770 Turkey - 1,300 Poland - 1,130 Australia - 1,080 Spain - 780 Denmark - 750 Romania - 730 Sweden - 500 Bulgaria - 460 Belgium - 420 Norway - 420 Czech Republic - 415 Regards Verrieres
Hi, Found a more up to date list again I apologise for any ommisions Participants in Operation Enduring Freedom 1 Armenia 2 Australia 3 Bahrain 4 Bangladesh 5 Belgium 6 Canada 7 Congo 8 Cyprus 9 Czech Republic 10 Denmark 11 Egypt 12 Estonia 13 France 14 Germany 15 Greece 16 Hungary 17 India 18 Italy 19 Japan 20 Jordan 21 Kuwait 22 Kyrgyzstan 23 Latvia 24 Lithuania 25 Macedonia 26 Malaysia 27 Netherlands 28 New Zealand 29 Norway 30 Oman 31 Pakistan 32 Poland 33 Portugal 34 Qatar 35 Romania 36 Russia 37 Slovakia38 South Korea 39 Spain 40 Sudan 41 Sweden 42 Tajikistan 43 Thailand 44 Turkey 45 Turkmenistan 46 United Arab Emirates 47 Ukraine 48 United Kingdom 49 United States 50 Uzbekistan Regards Verrieres
Owen Do the Government help pay for their funerals? I sincerely hope so or the act of remembrance is a rather hollow one. As a tax payer I insist that they do so , I fully expect that we do so and if not I demand to know why not. It would fill me with disgust if my govermant did not fulfil its last obligation to a youngster sent to war. I would be grateful if anyone could confirm that this is the case for I and so many like me take it so much for granted that they do. Sadly another youngman was killed on Christmas Eve. L/Corporal Benjamin Whatley of 42 Commando , killed in Helmand province. BBC NEWS | UK | Marine killed in Helmand is named
James thats a good question which I never considered prior to going on Operations. I remember how much of a hard time me and my ex wife had trying to get life insurance for me before I deployed to Iraq. My standard policy had a 'won't pay out if in a war' in the small print. I got seperate cover whilst in Kosovo and Bosnia quite easily but Iraq was quite hard...I eventually found a company with 100k cover through the military network just before I went. Anyway I have just had a quick look through the MOD website and it does state at public expense. However it does not state how much. Knowing the Army I doubt if its very much if the compensation for loosing a limb is anything to go by. I think most squaddies these days choose to join a regimental benevolent fund that will provide your Nok with financial help and support when you need it most. I was a member of the Royal Corps of Signals one. Cheers Andy
I think the youngmen and women serving overseas at the moment deserve the best support that can be given to them , both they and their famalies.
Aye.....I can speak from personal experience that unfortunately it doesn't happen often enough though.
Its was a sad day yesterday for British Forces, my thoughts are with family and friends Four Brit heroes lose their lives | The Sun |News|Campaigns|Our Boys A Prayer for the Desert Soldier Oh! Desert soldier do not fear, You're for the final posting, collect your gear. With uniform pressed and boots that shine, Hurry along there keep in line. Soon you'll reach your destination, With your new Commander of all creation. Look to your front with head held high As you join that regiment in the Sky. Goodbye dear soldier, goodbye dear friend. Now you have reached your journeys end. Our thoughts of you we will fondly keep, Whilst in your New Barracks you soundly sleep. By Fred Hirst Editor: The Manchester Veteran City of Manchester 8th Army Veterans
I've been trying to confirm my thoughts about yesterday but can't seem to find anything on the net. I'm under the impression (catching the back end of a BBC News story yesterday) that 7 British soldiers died in two seperate incidents in Afghanistan yesterday. 4 from The Rifles and another incident later in the day where 3 soldiers were killed. Have I got my wires crossed ? Cheers Andy
Very sad indeed. This wasn't even on any of the main pages on BBC site as far as I could tell. BBC NEWS | UK | Afghan attacks kill four troops Three soldiers from 1st Battalion The Rifles were struck by a blast in the Gereshk district of Helmand province and pronounced dead at the scene. The fourth, a Royal Marine from 45 Commando, was hit by enemy fire near Sangin and died in a UK hospital. The deaths, in one day, take the number of UK servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan since October 2001 to 149. - On a different note: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7911424.stm A real-life band of brothers have returned safely from Afghanistan where they have been serving together.