Soldier 'let down by government'

Eighteen servicemen and women from the North East and Cumbria have been killed in the Afghanistan conflict since 2006.

Pam Murray's son David was 19 when he was killed by a suicide bomber in Helmand Province in June 2008.

He was the 100th British casualty in Afghanistan.

David, from Carlisle, had always wanted to be a soldier and fulfilled a lifetime ambition when he joined the Parachute Regiment.

Pam says "He was so proud. His uncle is serving in the Marines, so David couldn't wait to tell him he'd managed to get into the Paras. David was such a caring person with a good sense of humour. He had a smile that could light up a room."

'Let down'

David was killed alongside two other soldiers, including his colleague Nathan Cuthbertson from Sunderland.

But Pam Murray believes her son was let down by the Government: "He wanted a specially protective vest and he had to buy it himself.

I know other parents who have had to buy desert boots for their sons because the standard issue kit isn't good enough."

David wanted a specially protective vest and he had to buy it himself Pam Murray

"I know David was fighting for his country - he wanted to keep his friends and family safe.

"But the Government is not giving our boys proper backing. They are failing our troops. We are in a war - we need to give our troops proper support"

And what about the soldiers who survive? What care is provided for them?

Normal civilians

People serving in the armed forces are under the care of the Ministry of Defence. But when they leave, they become normal civilians and are treated like any other person, with no special status.

So care adapted to any needs they may have is left to charities.

There are an estimated 800,000 veterans living in the North East & Cumbria, but the exact figure is not known because they are not monitored or collated.

But Veteran's Minister and Durham North MP Kevan Jones says the Government is working to improve the network of care available for former service personnel.

The Politics Show's Afghanistan Special is on 1215 pm this Remembrance Sunday on BBC One.

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