Tour of duty
Our marvellous maintenance man, Barry Saunders, has swapped his tool bag for a kit bag and is shipping out for a 12-month tour of duty of Afghanistan with the British Army’s, Royal Engineers.
Any volunteers?
For the last three-and-a-half years, Barry has been splitting his time between serving the residents at our Westbury Fields Retirement Village and serving with Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers regiment in the Territorial Army (TA).
“I’ve been in the TA for four years. The main base is over in Cwmbran, but I’m based with 1 Troop which is over on Whiteladies Road. When the question was asked: ‘Is anyone interested in going out on Operation Herrick?’ - my hand went straight up.”
Basic training
After leaving the Trust on the 10 November, Barry went up to Nottingham for his medical and passed with flying colours. He is now training full-time, Monday to Friday with the 26 Engineer Regiment which is based in Tidworth, near Marlborough. His training will last four months before flying out to Afghanistan in February.
“We’ll have eight days acclimatising to the heat when we arrive. It’s going to be Summer while we’re out there with the midday temperature reaching 40-45°C."
"Most days when we’re out on patrol we’ll be wearing body armour that weighs 35lbs and lugging about a rucksack that weighs 100lbs. But that’s the job. I can’t wait to get out there and do it to be honest.”
Tour of duty
Having served as a Royal Engineer, Barry will be involved in civilian projects like rebuilding schools and police stations. “We’ll also be doing stuff like re-enforcing Forward Observation Bases, building and dismantling bridges and there’ll be an element of searching for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) with mine detectors. But the most exciting bit of all is demolitions where we get the chance to blow stuff up as well.”
Barry explains, “If we go out on patrol with the infantry and we come to a compound, then the doors and windows are usually booby-trapped with IEDs. So the Commanding Officer will say, ‘I want a doorway just there, please’. We’ll then put an explosive entry charge into the wall, set the fuse and ‘boom’.”
A unique club
So what was Barry’s motivation for volunteering to go to Afghanistan? He laughs, “I still haven’t worked that out yet. I’d always wanted to be in the army, but my parents wanted me to get a trade first. For me, joining the TA was the next best thing."
“I had no qualms about putting my hand up. There’s a very unique club of those who have been out Afghanistan and done it. Part of it is going out with the lads I’ve trained with and putting all that training into practice. And it’s something to tell the grandkids.”
And what will he miss most about the Trust? “The people, definitely the people. We’ve got a good team on maintenance and they’ve been really, really supportive, although a few of them think I’m barking mad. But the Trust has been fantastic – which has been a massive help.”
Safe return, Barry
Barry will be saying adieu to his wife, Dawn, son Daniel (21) and daughter, Katie (17). “I can come home at weekends while I’m training, but once I’m in Afghanistan I’ll be away for three months, then have two weeks leave and then be away for another three months. It’s going to be tough on them."
“But the family’s been very good about it. My daughter’s philosophy is ‘if you want to go to Afghanistan and get shot at, it’s up to you. Barry laughs, “She’s very grounded."
"My son, who is at university, is planning on joining the TA so he appreciates that it’s going to be dangerous. My wife is a bit nervous, but she knows it’s something I’ve always wanted to do."
"Again, family and friends have been very supportive.”
Everyone at the Trust wishes Barry the very best of luck and a safe return in twelve months’ time. He will be keeping a diary of his experiences while serving in Afghanistan and you will be able to follow all his updates right here.