FAMILIES of Oxfordshire soldiers killed in the Afghanistan conflict fear their loved ones may have died in vain.

As British troops were finally withdrawn from its base at Camp Bastion, relatives of some of the county’s war heroes called on the Government to prove their sacrifices were for something worthwhile.

Heather Wood, whose husband Warrant Officer Class 2 Charlie Wood was killed in an explosion in December 2010, said she is yet to see evidence of Afghan lives being improved as a result of British intervention.

Bicester Advertiser:

Charlie Wood and his wife, Heather

The Bicester resident, 34, said: “I’m relieved that no other families are going to have to go through what I had to and also for those who are injured over there.

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“But when I look at the news I think ‘what difference did it make?’ You never see any good stories like schools opened or roads improved, but perhaps that’s because there’s been no benefits to lives. As a wife who’s lost a husband out there, there’s nothing for me to look at and think ‘well actually, Charlie helped with that’.

“If the Government believed we did make a difference then they need to prove that because all we’ve seen is a disaster and heartache.”

The British Armed Forces, which first entered Afghanistan 13 years ago following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, have been based at Camp Bastion since 2006 but left the base on Sunday.

Some 453 servicemen and women have died in the conflict, including 12 from Oxfordshire regiments all killed in explosions.

Corporal Andrew Roberts, 32, and Private Ratu Silibaravi, 32, from the now disbanded Bicester-based 23 Pioneer Regiment, were killed in an explosion in May 2012.

Bicester Advertiser:

Cpl Andrew Roberts with his wife Paula Ewers and son Josh Easterbrook

Cpl Roberts’ partner of almost three years, Bicester resident Paula Ewers, 33, said: “The Government needs to show what it has really achieved out there because I don’t really see anything other than the loss of life.

“The pain doesn’t go away — it stays forever and it feels like it was all for nothing.”

But Bampton resident Lee Mackie, 59, whose 21-year-old son Royal Marine Jason Mackie died in May 2009, said: “As a mother, nothing is ever worth losing your son for but I understand there are circumstances where we have to get involved to eradicate extremism.

“I respect Jason’s wish to serve in the Armed Forces and when I spoke to him about it he was proud of what he was doing and he felt they were making a difference to the normal Afghan people who just want to live their lives and educate their children.

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Jason Mackie

“It’s something I cling on to that my son was doing something worthwhile.”

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron said: “Their tragic deaths remind us of the continued commitment and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and of their families and our deepest sympathies will always be with them.”

Roll of Honour

OXFORDSHIRE Armed Forces members who died in Afghanistan:

  • Marine Dale Gostick, 22, of Royal Marines 3 Troop Armoured Support Company, died on May 25, 2008
  • Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O’Donnell, 40, of the Royal Logistic Corps, based at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot died on September 10, 2008
  • Marine Jason Mackie, 21, from Bampton, of the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group, died on May 14, 2009
  • Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, 39, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died on July 1, 2009
  • Captain Dan Shepherd, 28, of the Royal Logistic Corps’ 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment, based in Didcot, died on July 20, 2009
  • Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, of the 11 EOD Regiment, died on October 31, 2009
  • Captain Daniel Read, 31, of the 11 EOD Regiment, died on January 11, 2010
  • Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, of the 11 EOD Regiment, died on July 17, 2010
  • Warrant Officer Class 2 Charlie Wood, 34, of the 23 Pioneer Regiment, died on December 28, 2010
  • Captain Lisa Head, 29, of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, died on April 19, 2011
  • Corporal Andrew Roberts, 32, of 23 Pioneer Regiment, died on May 4, 2012
  • Private Ratu Silibaravi, 32, of 23 Pioneer Regiment, died on May 4, 2012.


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