Soldier's return marred by redundancy news

Crumlin Gunner Sam Fletcher, 23, was working for chain Focus DIY before he went out on his six-month tour.

While serving, Gunner Fletcher was at Camp Bastion, standing in a queue waiting to get some food when the news came on the TV screen that the DIY store had gone into administration.

He had been working as a kitchen planner in the Ebbw Vale shop, but by the time he finished his tour and leave following his six-month stint, his job will no longer be there so he will start looking for a new job.

He said: “I found out pretty close to the end (of my six months), it did dishearten me and I thought ‘What’s the point in going back?’”

Gunner Fletcher’s experience in Afghanistan, coupled with the bad news about his job, meant not only did he thoroughly enjoy his first experience on a tour, but he has fond memories of his time there.

“I did want to stay, there you take pride in your work and I get the feeling I’m missing the place,” he said.

‘Something I had to do’ - Newport gunner

DOING HIS PART: Gunner Chris Mabe

“IF YOU join the forces, it’s something you’ve got to do – if you’re a boxer you want to have the big fight, you want to put practice into action to experience what it’s all about for real.”

That’s how Newport Gunner Chris Mabe, 24, described the thought process behind volunteering for a tour in Afghanistan.

Gunner Mabe, from Bettws, has been in the TA for six years and was working in the Burton’s Biscuits factory in Cwmbran before he began his tour.

He said he wanted to do his part as his weekend exercises with the TA were something to look forward to for him.

“On tour, you live together in a tent for six months and you’ve got to work together and you make friends for life who help you along – it’s the best part of it all.”

And his experiences in what soldiers call ‘theatre’ have stiffened his resolve to sign up for another tour.

‘It’s a strain, and hard to contact relatives’

STRAIN ON FAMILY: Gunner Leighton Owen

CONCERNS about the enemy occupy soldiers’ thoughts constantly while they are out on the battlefield, but the men and women out there are all aware of the impact their service has on loved ones back home.

“It’s a strain on your partner and family, they don’t know how you’re doing or how you’re coping,”

said Gunner Leighton Owen, 21, from Broadmead Park, Newport.

Gunner Owen has a girlfriend of five years, Claire Walker, and says it can be difficult to reassure family back home.

The nature of their work means the TA soldiers can be called into action at very short notice, and combined with the four-and-a-half hour time difference, contact with home can be minimal.

Despite their preparations, Gunner Owen said nothing you do here can prepare you for the temperature – which can top 40ºC in the daytime and drop below freezing overnight.

Gunner Owen was working in the building trade, but as he was suffering in the recession he decided to go for his first operational tour.

He added: “I’m very proud to have done it and I would go back – the TA is the best of both worlds – not many people can say they go up to Brecon at the weekend to fire off a rifle!”

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Work is real battle

THERE is terrible irony in this story of the Territorial Army soldier who discovered he had lost his job while on the frontline in Afghanistan.

Gunner Sam Fletcher, from Crumlin, was working for Focus DIY and learned of the store’s demise when he was at war.

We can only imagine that his is not the only case. In fact, given the state of the high street at the moment, there must be hundreds of people putting their lives at risk in Afghanistan knowing they face the dole when they get back.

It’s an awful situation to be in and one which must prey on the mind at a time when concentration is vital.

It makes what they do out there even more incredible.

We wish him and others well in trying to find employment in the future.