Part Eight 'Back On Track'

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Part Eight ‘Back On Track’ Hi Roving Rev here, Firstly sorry that its been ages since last writing, but much has been going on this end. It started with my dear Dad dying suddenly just over a month ago. Dad along with my step mum lived in Spain, so I had a ten day trip back to the UK and then onto Spain for his funeral. Rest in peace Dad. Then, on the way back out to theatre we had the tragic deaths of Dave and Channing, who you know were with Charlie Company. Unbelievable this was then followed almost immediately by the similar deaths of Edward and Siddhanta of Deli Company the Royal Gurkha Rifles. Deli Company being one of 40’s attached units for the duration of the tour. Our prayers and heartfelt sorrow goes out to all of their families and friends. May Jesus Christ give them and us the strength we need to face the days ahead. It’s simply dreadful that four such exceptional people, so loved by those they served with, should be taken from us and in such a despicable way. These losses have meant that I, as their Padre, have spent much of the last couple of weeks in Bastion with repatriation services and all that this entailed. Although we were devastated by their loss 40 Commando, which especially included their mates as bearer parties, did a great job in the vigil services, chapel services and ramp ceremonies. Everyone did the best they could in sending them home. It has been an honour and privilege to conduct all these services, but, it has also been a duty that has left me unable to write anything jovial for just a bit, so please forgive me for this. And please, keep praying for us, especially the close mates of those who have lost their dear friends and comrades. Today is, was, Remembrance Sunday, one that is all the more special with our losses. No matter where you spent your Remembrance Day, or whatever your link is to 40, I am sure that it was all the more special for you too. Our main service was at HMS PRICE and was attended by about 600 ISAF forces, including our HQ, and Alpha Company. Across the AO the Lads had their own services, both big and small, using our order of service, the one also used at Norton Manor.

The guys are now carrying on with their mission in the professional manner you would expect from Royal Marines. They are a resilient bunch who will not be stopped by the actions of ‘the few’ who would seek to stop their mission of bringing peace and transition to Afghanistan. So what has been going since I have been back? That is in Bastion and PRICE - the only two places I have been lately. In the rear echelon, which is all the busier now that R&R has started kicking in (can you believe its R&R time already!) Well in the rear echelon Major Chris Hill has just celebrated his 30th year in the Corp. You can see Chris, on the left, standing next to Shaun, centre, with Tony on the right, all of whom are standing at the front of the busiest part of the Unit. I know that it’s the busiest part of the Unit as Chris regularly tells me this is so. Chris had a hoofing cake to mark this milestone and after 30 years is now seriously thinking about making a career in the RMs. Cheers Chris, here’s to another 30 years in the Corp, Royal! Also last month many of the guys, across the Unit, were able to celebrate the 348th birthday of the Corps. The phot you can see was taken at HMS PRICE’s celebration. Unfortunately no port for the toasts this year as it’s dry in theatre. Apart from my communion wine of course. Still, fun was had, plenty of scran was eaten and the RSM gave the toast with some particularly fizzy ‘pop’. Happy Birthday Royal.

The phot on the right was taken before my return home, but one I still wanted to stick in. It’s the husband and wife picture of Ronnie and Bonnie. Ronnie was in the IRG for Herrick 16 while Bonnie, our dental nurse and FET lady is with us on Herrick 17. This ‘honeymoon picture’ was taken in the short period when they were based in PRICE together. In this special time they had romantic opportunity to fill sandbags, dress identically and eat rat packs together. Happy days. Ronnie as you read this letter back in the UK, Bonnie wanted me to remind you just how much she………………… wants you to get that job list done before her R&R.

There are at least two birthdays that have taken place recently; two that I got phots of anyway. One is from Bravo Company where, though the back drop is the KUFFEN, was celebrated while the recent OC’s meeting took place at PRICE. Goffers, balloons and lashings of cake for the birthday boy. Hussaaarrr.

The second of the birthday celebrations took place at Bastion. These weren’t quite so successful. LCpl Stu Kent’s birthday was celebrated in Bastion 2 Canteen with his friends very kindly donating their ‘Duffs’ to the birthday boy. These NINE pieces of chocolate cake stodge were consumed after a meger meal. Not to be beaten by this birthday challenge ‘Man Versus Food Stu’ set about demolishing this stodge cake challenge. All was going well until his mates, I use this term loosely, thought it would be a good idea to jump on him by way of concluding the birthday celebrations. As soon as they left the galley. It was definitely a case of what went down had to come up. Happy birthday Royal.

What else is going on? The welfare boxes are continuing to come in at a pace, which the blokes are always glad about. A batch got here just a couple of hours ago. The Tour Tashes are continuing to get out of control, one guy tripped over his the other day. I will try to get some more phots of these lip warmers next time. The lads, that have them, are really getting into using their combat art kits, again more on that next time. Also I have got my recording gear together so when I get out and about next week I should be able to start

doing some story book commando recordings. God willing I will be visiting Charlie and Bravo Companies. That’s it for now. So take care back home (esp. Deb and the Andrew clan XXXXX,) and take heart, the chuff charts are speeding up and we will all be home before you know it. But finally, I had to include this phot of Rob King climbing out of an air conditioning pipe. Why is he climbing out of an air conditioning tube into the church tent? I really don’t know. But it was a good effort and I was there to take the phot. Rob if you are reading this, when coming to church you should know that even with that dodgy tash you are more than welcome to use the ‘front door’ like everyone else. That’s it for now. Take care and God bless. Padre Paul the Roving Rev