By Grant Smith

A MONIFIETH mum has spoken of her pride in her soldier son, a “quiet hero” who took part in a fierce battle against Taliban rebels in Afghanistan in which two of his comrades died.

April Lockett did not even know about the incident until 27-year-old Mick was safely back in Britain at the end of his tour with the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment.

It was only when he sent her a text message to let her know a national newspaper would be carrying a story about the battalion’s exploits that she learned what he had been through.

“I am so proud of him. He really is a quiet hero,” she said.

In all, nine soldiers from the Mercians died during the six months they spent in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan where thousands of British soldiers are based.

Two of them were killed on September 8 when a platoon came under fire while crossing open ground. Several others were injured and Sergeant Lockett played a crucial role in getting the wounded to safety amid the chaos of the night battle.

He then spoke to Sergeant Craig Brelsford about the need to recover the body of Private Johan Botha, who had died early in the fire fight. Sgt Brelsford took a group of soldiers to try to find their comrade, only to be shot and killed himself.

Recounting his experiences to the newspaper, Sgt Lockett said, “Before we went to Afghanistan I promised the men I would bring them all back, if not alive then their bodies would come home.

“That was my line in the sand. No matter what happened, everyone was coming back.”

Reinforcements along with armoured vehicles were called in for an attack on the rebel positions and Private Botha’s body was found later near the abandoned Taliban trenches.

Their tour completed, the battalion returned to their barracks in west London last week, ending months of anxious waiting for Sgt Lockett’s family, although that is something they had become used to over the years.

Sgt Lockett joined the army as a teenager and served with the Parachute Regiment until he suffered a knee injury.

He then transferred to the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, who have recently become the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment under the regimental merger programme.

His mother explained that communication was difficult during the Afghan tour.

“They were allowed to use Email sometimes and an occasional two-minute phone call to say hi, but a lot of the time he couldn’t get in touch because he was out on the ground somewhere,” she said.

“I got so you were frightened to put on the TV and I would get nervous if somebody came to the door in case it was bad news. I am just so glad he is back.”

Her husband Mal, had known more about what was happening in Helmand thanks to some Emails from Mick, but had not wanted to worry his wife with the details.

Having now heard what her son has been through, Mrs Lockett was surprised to phone him and learn that he had not been too badly affected by what happened.

“He’s fine. When I spoke to him he was really happy and bouncy and it was just like another day,” she said.

The Mercians had been serving as part of 12 Mechanised Brigade, whose commander Brigadier John Lorimer said, “They performed fantastically and are a true credit to the British Army.”