Christmas in Afghanistan

TWO Warrington soldiers will be spending Christmas on the front-line in Afghanistan.
They are Lieutenant Shaun Clarke, aged 26 and Corporal Kate Lawless, aged 23.
Shaun, a Para with 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, and Kate who serves with the Royal Military Police (RMP), are usually based in Colchester but are currently on operational duty in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province. These are some of the furthest forward British troops in counter insurgency operations.
Shaun is a Platoon Commander in one of the rifle platoons and as such is one of the soldiers out on the ground on patrol. Kate, however is in the RMP unit that is attached to the Paras.
Both Shaun and Kate have been receiving a steady supply of parcels and letters of support from friends and family back in Warrington.
Kate said: “I’ve been sent lots of goodies to eat, sweets, biscuits and magazines. It all helps to make life a bit more comfortable.”
Both have also been sent Warrington Wolves rugby shirts from members of their families as they are supporters of the club.
In wishing everyone back in Warrington a Merry Christmas Shaun and Kate said: “Thanks to everyone back in Warrington for all the parcels and letters. We wish Warrington Wolves every success in the New Year. Have a great Christmas and we look forward to coming home in May”.
The two soldiers didn’t know each other prior to their deployment to Afghanistan but both said they expect that they will remain friends once their tour has finished. However, Kate joked: “Yes, we’ll remain friends unless Lieutenant Clarke gets himself into trouble and I have to arrest him!”