Through this forum I’d like to ask all who read this to spare a thought for those wounded, and recently so, in Afghanistan….whatever ones thoughts about the campaign there.
My son (who appears in my avatar) is currently serving on the front line with the Queen’s Royal Hussars and has had more than a few interesting moments and regular contact with the Taliban.
Last week, one of his close pals lost both legs and an arm and is currently back in the UK in hospital at Birmingham. In the last 36 hours his best friend (I don’t think I can yet post his name) was badly injured when blown out of the turret of his Warthog in an IED explosion. My son should have been driving the truck, but was re-allocated another task. The driver has a broken back. Another has a fractured skull, and another a broken arm. Again, all are now back in the UK at Birmingham.
When my son comes home from his two week mid-tour R&R in February he will be driving straight to Birmingham from Brize Norton to visit them.
The thing that struck me was that the public only get to know about deaths when they occur, and we are never told about the regular and horrific injuries when they happen. Its just swept under the carpet and it seems to me, though I am biased, that to an extent the Government/MOD want to hide the awful and frequent injuries that are being sustained.
I know you will all want to spare a thought for these lads. If and when I can, I will post their names.
By: paul178 - 9th April 2012 at 19:41
Totally gutted for all concerned. Stand Easy Soldier you made the ultimate sacrifice.
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th April 2012 at 19:32
This sent through by one of his mates a little while back….
Makes you think.
By: Lincoln 7 - 9th April 2012 at 19:21
Sad news indeed Andy, I think you son is totaly devastated.
I.M.H.O. the sooner we get our lads and lassies out, the better.
I wish your son and all who serve all the luck in the world and hope they get home safe and sound.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th April 2012 at 19:07
Just read the sad news that my son’s pal has died in hospital in Birmingham:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/09/soldier-dies-two-months-afghanistan-blast?newsfeed=true
Steven visited him whilst home on mid tour R&R a few weeks back. He will be devastated by the news.
By: Bob - 31st January 2012 at 10:47
The work carried out by the medical teams in Afghanistan, many of whom are TA, is quite amazing. I’ve seen a couple of documentaries about their work and the exchange is obviously a two way street – they gain expertise in pretty shocking injuries, which a few years ago would have resulted in the death of the casualty, they then use this gained skill back home in their civilian role.
A sad way for them to learn but I salute their hard work caring for the wounded and maimed troops (and Afghans) out in the sandpit…
By: Pondskater - 30th January 2012 at 20:38
Glad you posted this Andy. A colleague at work was savaged by her dog, she had her face badly mauled but was expertly stitched up by a rather skilled surgeon.
He had just come back from Afghanistan where he had learnt his skills. While grateful that she found somebody able to help heal her injuries with minimal scarring, the realisation of just what had given him that experience and skills brought what happens out there closer to home for me.
By: paul178 - 29th January 2012 at 20:59
Sorry should read “With all due respect to #32”
By: paul178 - 29th January 2012 at 19:51
With all due respect to the OP I view this with a great deal of suspicion. Unless or until I see some firm facts about this alleged incident I will not be climbing onto the outrage bus.
I feel that if this happened the British Press would be all over it like a rash.
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th January 2012 at 11:50
It sounds a bit unlikely.
Presumably the Captain was there for operational reasons and thus I fail to see how an injury whilst engaged on such duty (howsoever sustained) would not be compensated or helped by HMG…but then anything is possible of the MOD, I suppose.
However…the story somehow seems a bit ‘suspect’ the way it is described here.
By: tarkey - 29th January 2012 at 09:00
I watched a TV programme last night, and it was about a British Army Captain who was injured by a Russian Mine, left over from their days out there, because it was not to do with the current conflict this guy did not get any compensation or help from the British.
Can this possibly be true
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th January 2012 at 08:35
Bob
Well said that man.
By: Wokka Bob - 28th January 2012 at 22:50
Physically & Mentally wounded need our help
Unfortunately Andy, you like many of us are too close to the subject. I have a Grandson and a close friends Grandson who are Afghan vets!
Having been through many conflicts myself, Falklands included, the wounded are statistics that are not popular politics. We are lucky that a certain Welsh Guard (Mr Weston) has become a national hero for raising awareness as well as oodles of cash. Yes more servicemen from the Falklands conflict have taken their own lives than those that perished in combat. A sobering thought.
Until recent conflicts, the term Post Combat Stress Disorder had no meaning. WWI saw personnel shot for deserting their posts. Cowards or suffering from PCSD? The jury is out!
“Help for Heroes” are a wonderful brigade of people. Perhaps we should be asking why do they exist? Should not the country be tending to the wounded?
I believe we should be re-building Military hospitals with all the facilities including accommodation for the families and friends. The abuse given to those early victims (wounded) at public swimming pools should make us all ashamed.
Unlike the USA, I cannot remember any politician of any party paying homage to our dead and wounded on their return from recent conflicts.
To your original post, yes they are forgotten and only a statistic. What concerns me are those who are left mentally wounded. What is going to happen to them? Too little, too late. More homeless, innocents into criminals.
No, I don’t have the answer, but many well-meaning Charities are trying to help.
Bob
By: Bob - 28th January 2012 at 14:44
While I support H4H and give to the lads and lassies collecting at Duxford airshows one (lesser known?) worthwhile charity I actively support is “Hounds For Heroes” – providing assistance dogs for injured service personnel. The level of injury that some are coming back with means that they will need help with everyday tasks once they have recovered. Assistance dogs have proved invaluable to those with disabilities allowing them a level of independence that might not have enjoyed and, as well as helping, provide company that some may find an important part of the recovery process.
My nephew has returned recently from a 7 month tour in Afghanistan. I wear a poppy 365 days a year and the H4H wristband.
Apparently Help for Heroes have become involved with assistance dogs and has donated a puppy to Canine Partners and has sponsored 3 dog partnerships through the Quick Reaction Fund with more to come. Canine Partners also have a presence in the Tedworth House support hub, meaning they are on hand to offer advice about being partnered with a dog.
Another charity is http://www.afghanheroes.org.uk/homepage.asp
It all helps…
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th January 2012 at 13:03
Thank you, Paul!
Just heard the sad news this morning that Matt, my son’s best friend who was blown out of the Warthog turret, has undergone extensive field surgery at Bastion but they have been unable to save his leg. He has been flown back to Birmingham.
By: paul178 - 27th January 2012 at 22:49
Andy, I think you know from all my comments on similar subjects I never forget to mention those who are wounded in mind and body. I also mention those left behind the fallen for they also have to go on without a loved one.
Baz. I wear my HFH band with pride I never take it off.
Just going to order one of these to support Andy’s Boy and his Comrades
By: John Green - 27th January 2012 at 20:56
I think – as perhaps evidenced by the following – that our Govt. views our wounded servicemen as at best an embarrassment and at worst, a likely disincentive for recruitment.
The torrent of casualties both mental and physical from the first World War were, initially, transported through London rail termini. It became apparent that this was counter productive to recruitment so, a very large hospital complex was established at Netley, near Southampton complete with a railway line and sea jetty so that hospital ships could dock, unload their shattered and shell shocked cargoes away from public scrutiny, to be moved straight into hospital care.
On the face of it, a caring and humanitarian approach. Not though, as altruistic as it seems. When the wounded were being transported through London, many complaints by the public were received. The Govt. had to act.
I do not think that today that mood of uncaring pragmatism prevails. I am the first to dismiss that ‘touchy-feely’, ‘I feel your pain’ emotive nonsense that abounds in our society. However, I applaud and support the sentiments that led Tangmere 1940 and others to take the line that they have.
John Green
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th January 2012 at 08:42
Although only just published, it was written before some of the recent injury cases I mentioned…and I gather there was another bad injury just yesterday:
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/s-different-pace-life-helm-Army-Warthog/story-15052353-detail/story.html
By: Indiaecho - 26th January 2012 at 23:06
I think Lincoln .7 sums up the problem, while the media view Z list celebrities as being more important than injured servicemen (and by implication, their readers), they are never going to get any coverage.
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th January 2012 at 22:26
Just recently I had the honour and privilege to be tied up in the making of a TV documentary (Discovery History – April 2012) which involved a group of injured soldiers from The Rifles who were being rehabilitated through archaeology. An amazing bunch of the nicest lads you could ever hope to meet, and a very humbling experience for the rest of the team. For me, at this time, it was also very thought provoking to say the very least.
By: Lincoln 7 - 26th January 2012 at 22:20
[QUOTE=Tangmere1940;1849812]
Of course, the news media and viewers would perhaps very soon get bored with regular stories along the lines of “Two servicemen were injured in an IED explosion today” and this doubtless suits the MOD who, assuredly, would not like to see a regular bulletins about injuries. But perhaps just a little more attention by the Press,
I think I know where your coming from Andy, remember the days when a murder would make front page news in all the newspapers?,now they are hardly given a mention, anywhere in the papers, Now Wayne Rooney scoring a goal is front page news..If the story fails to sell papers in the Editors eyes, it don’t get a mention.
Very slightly off topic, but I would like to offer my congratulations to the amputee soldiers who have just rowed their way over the Atlantic, OUTSTANDING.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
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January 26, 2012 at 9:44 am