88 Postal and Courier Squadron based at South Cerney receive

[TrueBlueTerrier]

88 Postal and Courier Squadron based at South Cerney receive medals

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PROUD families were beaming as they gathered at 29 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps in South Cerney to watch their loved ones receive medals following a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Soldiers from 88 Postal and Courier Squadron (88PC), part of 29 Reg, returned home in April and were this week honoured for their service by the head of the British Armed Forces Post Office, Col Paul Smith, at a medal parade.

In total 23 soldiers flew out to Afghanistan to support troops on Operation Herrick, delivering vital morale-boosting mail to soldiers on the front line.

The soldiers, known as posties, were responsible for running the mail system across all British operations in Helmand province and were based everywhere, from the massive Camp Bastion to the smallest operating bases on the front line.

During Christmas the posties sorted and delivered more than 30,000 bags of letters and parcels.

Presenting the medals, Col Smith said: "We've had a difficult and demanding tour, especially with the added challenge of Christmas, and I congratulate you.

"The postal and courier service is without doubt absolutely vital for morale and comfort."

Along with the 820 tonnes of mail - equivalent to 104,000 bags of letters or ten full Boeing 747 aeroplanes, the soldiers also downloaded 235,000 E Bluyes - letters sent via the internet.

Cpl Aaron Denmark, of Liverpool, was responsible for downloading E Bluyes. He flew out to Las Vegas to marry fellow soldier Private Jennifer Denmark when he returned.

He said: "I've been in the Army for 14 years so I'm used to flying off but it's always great to be home and getting married was amazing."

Cpt Chloe Russell said it was great to be back. "It was a busy tour with quite long working hours," she added. "I made sure soldiers under my command were working hard."

Sgt Steven Reeves was pleased to see daughters Chloe and new-born Kerri. "I missed out on dealing with the baby so I've plenty of making up to do before flying to Cyprus next year."

Nikki Hyde said it was nice to have partner Staff Sgt Kevin Pellington back. "It's great having him home - it always hard is when he has to go away. This is the first medal ceremony that I've been to but the third medal Kevin has received and I'm so proud."

Commanding officer Major Ed Lewis said the time away from families and loved ones was always hard and added: "It has been a particularly busy tour especially over Christmas and the soldiers should be commended for their hard work. The volumes they've moved around is quite extraordinary."

The Rev David Bowers, of All Hallows Church in South Cerney, provides support to 29 Reg troops and was at the ceremony to represent the community. He said: "We are very proud to have 29 Reg here and events like this show the important work that goes on."

The parade also marked the end of 88PC's 11-year run as a single unit. The squadron has merged with others to form multi-role units, dealing not just with mail but also moving soldiers to theatres of operation.

[walkthewalk]

Hats off to these guys because it is one thing to be a soldier serving our Country but to be a postie as well then they deserve more than a medal