Dalton man in Taliban battle role

May 13 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A SOLDIER from Huddersfield holds the keys to the Army store cupboard in Afghanistan.

For the next six months Major John Hanson, 40, is the man responsible for all the new kit coming into the country.

And he does so in the arduous conditions of Helmand Province – scene of some of the worst fighting in the conflict.

Major Hanson said: “It is my responsibility to control all equipment around Task Force Helmand.

“This includes all vehicles and plant equipment used by British Forces in Afghanistan. I ensure that the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) on the ground service and maintain the equipment, and that new equipment is made available to troops to ensure they are able to do their jobs effectively.”

Major Hanson is originally from Dalton, where his mother, Joyce Hanson still lives. He joined the army in 1985 after leaving Rawthorpe High School at the age of 16. After attending the Army Apprentice College in Arborfield he started his career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a craftsman.

In his 24 years of service he has progressed through the ranks to reach the rank of Major, and he has completed operational tours in Iraq during the Gulf War of 1991, and tours of Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo in the late 1990s.

This is his second tour of duty in Afghanistan having previously served with 3 Commando Brigade from October 2005 to February 2006.

Since arriving in Lashkar Gah Major Hanson has been busy keeping the frontline troops supplied with all the kit they need to take on the Taliban.