Even though more than 2,500 troops have left Colchester Garrison for a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, the 550 troops left behind - the rear party - are not idle. In his second report, Gazette reporter GARETH PALMER finds out how people in north Essex are sending a little bit of home to the soldiers in Afghanistan, and looks at the rear party's most difficult and unwelcome task.



The knock on the door in the early hours of the morning is what every Army family dreads.

With 2,500 soldiers from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade serving in Afghanistan, the chances are that a number of families will get the news that their loved one has been killed or seriously injured.

The town's garrison has a rota of specially-trained officers on standby for this unenviable task.

For Lieutenant Colonel Mike McGinty, commander of the brigade's rear party, making sure that casualties and their families are given the best possible treatment is his "number one priority".

"I hope that we do not have to do it very often," he said.

"The guys going out on the doorstep get a lot of training. You do not know how people will react to bad news, and we employ actors to work through scenarios with them.

"The training is well received and helps the officers realise that they will be delivering news that will change people's lives."

A casualty visiting officer is appointed to each family to give them a single point of contact with the Army and make sure they get the support, allowances and compensation they are entitled to.

"The job can take weeks, months or years depending on the circumstances," Lt Col McGinty said.

Since 16AAB took over responsibility for southern Afghanistan on April 9, two soldiers have been killed and 45 casualties have been returned to the UK, only eight with injuries received in combat.

"Far more people fall off a lorry and break their leg or get a bad dose of diarrhoea and vomiting than are wounded in combat," Lt Col McGinty said.

Soldiers requiring hospital treatment back in the UK are sent to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, and Lt Col McGinty said he heard "nothing but praise" for the NHS-run hospital, which has been criticised for mixing military and civilian patients.

"The brigade always visits its casualties in Selly Oak and I'm off there soon," he said.

"The standard of clinical care is world class and there are robust welfare packages in place with permanent military liaison officers. Where possible, military people are kept together, but that cannot always be done where there are particularly complicated clinical problems."

Lt Col McGinty said that he hoped casualty figures stay low on the current tour because it meant progress was being made in Afghanistan.

"We win when we're delivering positive change for the Afghan people without the heavy metal being deployed," he said.

"The operational situation has changed since 2006 - we've got more troops out there, they're better resourced and there's a more coherent Afghan authority.

"We feel we are making steady progress. Hopefully that will mean less combat and less casualties, but there can be no guarantees."

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS IN MANY WAYS

Only one month into a six-month tour for Colchester's paratroopers in war-torn southern Afghanistan, and a welcome-home parade is already being organised.

However, after six months of active service, Army top brass do not want soldiers to have to endure drill and boot polishing on their return.

Lieutenant Colonel Mike McGinty, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade's rear party, said it was "a great honour" to be invited to parade, but he did not want returning soldiers "overwhelmed with ceremonial events".

Lt Col McGinty said the support shown by the public was "hugely appreciated" by soldiers.

A steady stream of welfare boxes has been sent to Afghanistan by local schools and Royal British Legion branches, while Ten Pin Bowling, Go Bananas and Colchester Zoo have events planned for military families.

"Soldiers like to know that they're supported by the people back home, and that their families are being looked after," Lt Col McGinty said.

"There's not much in the way of entertainment in theatre and the arrival of boxes is an event and a welcome distraction from the onerous aspects of day-to-day life in a war zone.

"Everyone loves getting a parcel to open and find out what's inside, even if it's just three packets of Jelly Babies and a toothbrush.

"I always liked to get drawings from school children: it's that much more human and touching if you've got a family back at home you're missing."