Memories of home (From Penarth Times)

Memories of home

A GROUP of soldiers from Penarth, serving in Iraq, all say they are missing loved ones and that they are looking forward to having a pint at their local - The Railway.

Welsh Guardsmen, Paul Todd, 25, Andrew Beattie, 27 and Christopher Rodd, 22, are all currently serving in Al Amarah in southern Iraq.

The soldiers are on a six-month operational tour until May next year, and all three admit to missing Penarth, their friends and families in the run-up to Christmas.

Christopher, a driver and team medic for his platoon, said: "It's hard. I was on the phone to my girlfriend Jenny Rodd, and her two little girls Katie and Lucy this week, and they were asking if I would be back for Christmas. I had to say no, but I will be back for a couple of weeks leave over the New Year, and being out here means we can save up for a new car or a trip to Disneyland when I get back."

All three men say their job in Iraq is challenging, but rewarding.

Paul, a Lance Corporal responsible for communications when he patrols the city of Al Amarah, added: "The people here are living in real poverty and the place has been ruled by violence. I feel we're really helping them by being here."

Paul was responsible for recruiting his old Penarth schoolfriend Andrew into the Welsh Guards. "I got a bonus for dragging him in!" he laughs.

But mortars specialist Andrew seems to have few regrets.'I've been in since 1997, and been on exercise to America, Canada and around Europe, skiing in France and now operations here.'

Having trained for the worst, Andrew, recently engaged to Karren Miles, says Iraq has so far been better than he expected. "Every patrol completed is an achievement", he adds.