Before all you singletons out there get too excited, Country Life would like to stress that not every soldier who appears in this feature is looking for a husband or wife (in fact one is happily married). However, both those in a
stable relationship and footloose share a passion for sweets, mints and nuts, as well as friendly letters. There is no limit on the number of parcels and letters that can be sent, so please get writing.
If you’re young, a long way from home, and battling the two demons of fear and boredom, what would be foremost in your mind? For most of us, it’s difficult to imagine what life must be like for the soldiers representing our country in some of the most inhospitable conditions in the world, so we have asked young officers from some of the British Army’s finest regiments to tell us about their experiences in Iraq and a bit about themselves. They’re all unmarried, and, although some may have an ‘other half ‘, like anyone on tough operations, they do welcome post and contact with the outside world.
‘Blueys’, the special airmail letters, are a good start, and postage is free if you quote Op Telic 10 and BFPO 641 on the front. If you want to upgrade your missive, magazines, sweets, dried fruit, nuts and biscuits go down articularly well. If you really want to spoil them, mints (such as the tinned ones in Marks & Spencer) are considered a delicacy among military palates. You can send anything up to a maximum weight of 2kg and simply pack it as you would any parcel. Please send letters and parcels to your chosen soldier using the following address: their name and regiment, followed by Operation TELIC 10, BFPO 641.
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Rank: Captain
Age: 27
Regiment: The King’s Royal Hussars
From: Norfolk
Favourite film:Old School
Favourite pastime: Shooting, stalking and rugby
Hero: Harry Flashman
Favourite building: I’ve just bought a flat in Barons Court
Favourite place in UK: North Norfolk coast
Click here to send Peter an email
Experience of Iraq:
Since 2006, the biggest change is in the nature of the people. Then, we were in Land Rovers and were far more relaxed. We were able to meet and talk to the local people as we drove around. Due to the terrorist threat in Basra now, we use armoured vehicles and can’t chat as we used to. It’s distanced us from the locals, which is a shame.
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 25
Regiment: The King’s Royal Hussars
From: Newmarket, Suffolk
Favourite film:Last of the Mohicans
Favourite pastime: Stalking, polo
Hero: Richard Meinertzaggen (soldier, explorer and big-game
hunter from the early 20th century)
Favourite building: The Carts Bog Inn
Favourite place in UK: The Cornish coast and the west coast of Scotland
Click here to send Philip an email
Experience of Iraq:
It?s an incredible experience to be living in the Desert of Maysaan Province. Temperatures
of 50 degrees and more often distract from the insurgent threat, but we are all too frequently reminded of its presence
Rank: Captain
Age: 26
Regiment: Irish Guards
From: Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London
Favourite film: A Bridge Too Far
Favourite pastime: Stalking
Hero: Sir Harry Flashman VC, the infamous rogue
Favourite building: St James’ Palace
Favourite place in UK: The eerie landscape of Dartmoor, perfect for picnics, yomping and romping
Click here to send James an email
Experience of Iraq:
The fragility of life
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 24
Regiment: Irish Guards
From: Berkshire
Favourite film: Top Gun
Favourite pastime: Shooting and surfing
Hero: Mohammed Ali and Ranulph Fiennes
Favourite building: Guards Chapel
Favourite place in UK: Trebetherick Beach, Daymer Bay
Click here to send George an email
Experience of Iraq:
Having trained some of the Iraqi Army, it is clear that, as a nation, there is genuine potential. It’s our responsibility as to help them realise this potential
Rank: Captain
Age: 28
Regiment: Life Guards
From: Hougham, near Grantham, Lincolnshire
Favourite film: Old School
Favourite pastime: Surfing, tennis and golf
Hero: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Favourite place in UK:The south Devon coast in high English summer, preferably with a glass of Pimm’s
Click here to send Matt an email
Experience of Iraq:
Hot and hostile
Rank: Captain
Age: 28
Regiment: Royal Tank Regiment
From: Dorset
Favourite film: The Sting
Favourite pastime: Skiing
Hero: Joe Simpson (Touching the Void)
Favourite Building: The Louvre
Favourite place in UK:Currently, the arrivals lounge at RAF Brize Norton
Click here to send Will an email
Experience of Iraq:
As I’m sure most people can imagine it’s hot, dusty, frustrating and exciting; rarely dull, although often I wish it were. The smell is at times quite indescribable and the flies are always present and always annoying. Not in my top 10 places to revisit.
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Age: 24
Regiment: 2 Rifles
From: Monmouthshire
Favourite film: Goldfinger
Favourite pastime: Playing in the sea, either attempting to surf or attempting to kite surf
Favourite Building: Craig-y-Dorth House, Monmouthshire, or my home
Favourite place in UK:Pembrokeshire
Click here to send Henry an email
Experience of Iraq:
There have been some scary moments, but I have learnt so much here. I’m attached to 4 Rifles in the
CIMIC cell, which helps the local population build schools and roads, using money from the Coalition. Also, I go out on patrol as a rifleman gaining invaluable experience that will hopefully benefit my own platoon when I take over in August
Timothy Moore
Rank: Lieutenant
Age: 30
Regiment: Royal Wessex Yeomanry
From: Rolveden, Kent
Favourite film: Dr Strangelove
Favourite pastime: Shooting
Hero: Johnny Scott
Favourite Building: Salisbury Cathedral
Favourite place in UK:The Weald of Suxxex and Kent
Click here to send Timothy an email
Experience of Iraq:
This is my second tour of Iraq, the first being in 2004 with the Royal Dragoon Guards. I have seen
progress with the Iraqi Army, but also lots of poverty. I’ve experienced the noblest of hospitality and I’ve seen extreme hatred. Iraq is complex and difficult, but I’m very proud of what we’re doing here, and I believe that, in the end, we’ll have done the right thing by supporting the Iraqi people
Or a husband!
Age: 31
Regiment: Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corp
From: Hampshire
Favourite film: Out of Africa
Favourite pastime: Alpine skiing and shopping
Hero: Delia Smith
Favourite Building: Selfridges
Favourite place in UK:Home
Click here to send Ellie an email
Experience of Iraq:
The work is not too different from
that on a ward in the UK, just hotter, dustier and sweatier
Age: 24
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, Physiotherapist
From: Wokingham, Berkshire
Favourite film: Dirty Dancing
Favourite pastime: Horse riding
Hero: My mum and dad and Jonny Wilkinson
Favourite Building: Ascot Racecourse, the new building
Favourite place in UK:Riding in the fields overlooking the Thames and Windsor is a beautiful town
Click here to send Nicola an email
Experience of Iraq:
Amazing. Mentally and emotionally challenging, as you see first hand the number of injuries sustained and what the soldiers have to endure. The work is rewarding, with highly motivated people. Everyone is supportive and encouraging, making the most of a difficult situation. It’s a demanding environment, hot and sandy, made worse by the threats to our location, which can be unnerving.
