Charles has been a stalwart member of the Volunteer Team for some time, doing a regular Sunday morning slot and helping with the Tuesday deliveries. He played a memorable role as a tree in this year's pantomime.  His son Pete has recently been posted to Afghanistan.   We interviewed Charles to find out more…..

 How long have you known that Pete would be going?

Pretty well all officers are posted to Afghanistan at some point, so we have always known that it was on the cards.

When did you know that Pete wanted to join the Army?

He has always wanted to join up – right from childhood.  His grandfather was a T.A. Colonel in the Somerset Light Infantry and served in Palestine.  Pete went to Sandhurst straight from University, and was commissioned in December 2008. 

Which regiment is he in?  He is a Lieutenant in 39^th Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Which part of Afghanistan has he been posted to?

He flew into Camp Bastion initially, where they had the initial briefing. Pete described Bastion as a ‘multinational megacity in the desert’ (complete with Starbuck’s!), with a perimeter of 38 km.  He was then flown to FOB Price (Forward Operating Base), near Kandahar in Sangin province in SW Afghanistan, and has recently moved to a small Patrol Base in the Green Zone, where all the major Operations are going on at the moment.  

What are the living conditions like?

The compound is quite small – about 50metres by 25metres – and they have no running water or toilets.  Pete is based there with his Troop of 19 men, plus 10 Paratroopers and it is up to him and his men to make it as comfortable as they can.

What is his actual role out there?

His job is to support ground troops with artillery when they are ‘engaging’ with the Taliban. 

What communication do you have from him?

We get (and send) regular emails to him, which is great, and we have requests for parcels to be sent out.

What do you put in the parcels?

All kinds of things – sauces and mustards to spice up the food, the latest DVDs to watch. Last week he asked for a shaving brush. Lads’ mags are popular, to help his boys overcome their loneliness!  Corenna offered to buy these in for me, but embarrassment forced me to refuse!

How long is the posting?

He will probably be there for 7 months in total, with one week’s R & R sometime after Christmas.  Troops with wives and dependants get priority for Christmas leave, understandably.

You and Anna and the family must be tremendously proud of him, as we all are.  We wish Pete the very best of luck for a safe return.