Traditional celebrations for troops in Afghanistan
ByThe Courier Reporter
Lance Corporal Chris Garner from Carlisle, Corporal Andy Porte from Falkirk, Lance Corporal James Ellward from Nottingham and Lance Corporal Laura Hewer from Whitehaven.
Troops serving in Afghanistan celebrated Christmas with presents from home, a traditional roast turkey lunch and a charity fun run yesterday.
About 9,000 servicemen and women are deployed in Helmand Province and an extra effort was made yesterday to make sure they were given some “down time”.
At the medical centre in Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah, staff opened Secret Santa presents and gifts from family.
With a Christmas playlist on in the background, featuring Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea and the Pogues’ song Fairytale of New York with Kirsty MacColl, the medics tore away wrapping paper to find home comforts such as new socks, underwear and toiletries.
Many wore pyjamas and onesies while eating toasted bacon bagels for breakfast.
Every soldier serving in Afghanistan received a Christmas lunch or dinner, even those in remote patrol bases, as army chefs travelled around to serve them freshly-cooked meals.
Traditional celebrations for troops in Afghanistan
