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ISSUE JANUARY 2009

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Love from home
We asked the families of soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, about
the challenges of being separated from loved ones on tour in Afghanistan
Interviews: Heidi Mines Pictures: Mike Weston

Kimberley Cherry, sister of Rfn Richard Cherry I respect my brother for doing such a tough job. I just want him to come home safely. The family copes well while he is away and we support each other and stay positive. I think the Army’s idea to gather all the families together for social events is brilliant and I believe they should do it more often. We do worry about Richard but we are all so very proud of him.		Mandy Shapcott, mother of Rfn Clark French My son has been in Afghanistan for about two months. It was very tough at first but it is something that you get used to. I worry about him but we have regular contact. The Army has been very supportive, we get regular letters from the welfare officer with updates on how the unit is getting on. We plan to have a February Christmas when he returns.
Lorraine Beechener, mother of Rfn Stuart Pearce Before Stuart, our family had no military experience at all. We have found it quite difficult as it is the unknown for us, but we have had support from the unit welfare officer who explains anything that we are unsure about. Even his grandparents have emailed him to find out how he is getting on. Most importantly we are so proud of him and all he has achieved so far.		Linda Birnie, mother of Rfn Wayne Birnie I cannot fault the way the Army handled informing the family that Wayne had suffered a leg injury in an attack. We were so well looked after. The staff at Selly Oak were fantastic. Wayne is keen to go back to Afghanistan and I feel worse now that I have seen what can happen. But I do understand that he needs to get back to his friends who are like another family to him.
Lee Gilbert, mother of Rfn Richard Gilbert (6 Rifles (TA)) I always knew that Richard would go to Afghanistan. It’s the knock on the door at an unexpected time that worries me. On Halloween trick-or-treaters knocked at the door and I found that very upsetting. My father was a mine clearance diver with the Royal Navy which was a dangerous job, but nothing compares to your own son being away.		Sarah Chambers, mother of Rfn Seth Chambers The Army has provided us with fantastic support. It’s good to get together with other family members because they are the people who understand exactly what we are going through. Now we have text messages and a good network from the Army and this deployment has been a tremendous improvement compared with their Iraq tour in 2006. All I can say is that it would really be good to have some meetings at Wyvern Barracks.
Vicki Williams, fiancee of Rfn Richard Cherry I’m still not used to Richard going away even though he has already deployed to Iraq. It gets harder each time he goes and our eldest child is seven now and she is very aware of what is going on. I find that I follow Afghanistan in the news constantly. I am really proud of Richard and if I’m strong, I believe it makes his time away that bit easier.		Robert Chambers, father of Rfn Seth Chambers I spent more than four years as a signaller in the Army so I do have experience of the military, which helps a little. I feel that as a parent you have to keep a brave face. I am concerned but this is what he wants and what he enjoys and we must support him.
Christine Hicks, mother of LCpl Mark Hicks I am used to Mark deploying but this is his first tour of Afghanistan. He picked up an injury during his pre-deployment training but was determined to go and left just a few weeks after the rest of the unit. The family and all his loved ones are very proud and supportive of him. I think that the Army makes much more of an effort with the families now compared to a few years ago.

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