Luke drives forward his Army skills

Mar 6 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A MIRFIELD soldier working and living alongside the Afghan National Army in a remote corner of Afghanistan believes he is making a difference.

Pte Luke Varley,19, is on his first operational tour working with 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

Based at the Patrol Base Tangiers in Sangin district, he is many miles apart from his family and sent best wishes to his mum, Anita Varley, who lives in Mirfield.

Former Mirfield Free Grammar School pupil Luke is part of a small team who work alongside the soldiers from the new Afghan National Army to develop their skills and confidence in their role.

“I am a driver and I also go out on foot patrols in the area to mentor the Afghan soldiers as they work with the people in the local community.

“We also take it in turns to keep the routine back in camp going. We need to fill jerrycans full of water so we have a supply available and fill the oil drum hot water boiler we call the ‘Puffing Billy’ as well as listening to the radio in the operations room.”

Sleeping in basic mud buildings without running water, the soldiers survive on ten-man rations of canned and packet food. Occasional shopping trips into the local bazaar enable them to add fresh vegetables and bread when possible.

They take turns in cooking the evening meals on an open- fire stove and wash the pots and pans in the local river.

“Some of the Afghan soldiers are quite good and you can have a good laugh with them,” said Luke who was also part of the support team during the operation at Musa Qal’eh in December.

“I do feel the work we are doing is making a difference out here.”

The 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment deployed to Afghanistan in September from its barracks in Weeton, near Preston. It is due to return in next month.

The battalion has a diverse role with 250 officers and soldiers working as part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams, more than 100 in a Force Protection role at Lashkar Gar, and a platoon assisting with convoy protection from Camp Bastion.

In addition, there are small teams working with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force and at the Kabul Military Training Centre.

“I am really looking forward to seeing my family again,” said Pte Varley.