Soldier: dealing with death ‘is our job’

Trooper Pete Sheppard is a radio operator with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF), which is part of Operation Moshtarak against insurgents in Helmand Province.

The Ministry of Defence announced Sergeant Paul Fox, attached to the BRF, was killed on Friday 26 February following an explosion in Nad Ali.

It was a weird day on Sunday, weather-wise. It has been nice and hot for the past few days and then over night there was a lot of thunder and lightning lighting up the sky.

It was shortly followed up by a large outburst of heavy rain/hail stones. It only lasted a couple of hours and in the morning the weather has gone back to normal again with clear blue skies.

Was speaking to one of the lads who was in Foxy’s troop and he was saying how it hasn’t even sunk in yet what had happened. He then said it probably will soon though. I think that is generally the same feeling across most of us.

It’s crazy to think that one minute someone is there and the next he’s not. But this is what we sign up to do and it is our job.

The local children are jumping into the small canal near us to cool down. They seem oblivious to our presence and are enjoying themselves, somersaulting into the cool water. One of the interpreters joined in and was jumping in as well, while we just observed.

The lads were talking about getting to Cyprus. We all are looking forward to coming home now. Just counting the days down still.

Everyday is just one closer to coming home.