Lifelong Huddersfield pals set for tour of duty in Afghanistan

Oct 30 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Shaune stayed at college for a short time to do A-levels, but quit and went to work for Morrisons in Waterloo before working in various temporary jobs.

James said: “We lost touch a bit – we’d see each other around town, but not much more than that.”

James, who wanted to become a police officer, joined the Army in 2002 as a step towards fulfilling his ambition.

Unbeknown to him, Shaune then signed up 16 months ago.

James said: “It was only when I bumped into him through the Army that I found out. I was like, ‘What are you doing here?’”

Both men have done tours of duty in Iraq and have been on training in Canada, but have never served together.

They only discovered two weeks ago that they were definitely going to Afghanistan.

“I’ve not really thought about it up to now,” Shaune said. “But it’s getting very real.”

James added: “I’ve got some friends out there already. They say it’s not as bad as it is made out to be.

“In a way I want to go out because it’s another medal on the chest. You want to do go to these places, because it’s what you have trained for.”