JOE Royster went shopping in his home city for a pair of trainers – and ended up joining the Army.
The 21-year-old was among 58 soldiers being deployed to Afghanistan today from 63 Works Group of the 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell.
Operation Herrick will be the sapper's first tour with the Army.
"To be honest I do not know why I signed up. I only went to buy some trainers," said Joe, about the trip into his home town of Wolverhampton which led to him visiting his Army careers centre as an 18-year-old in August, 2008.
"I'm quite excited by the prospect. Not many 21-year-olds get to do this.
"I'm going to be a construction materials technician, testing materials like concrete to make sure it's right for projects. There's going to be one other doing my work in Camp Bastion."
Over the next six months the group will help Afghani workers build roads, police stations, public halls and other infrastructure. They will also keep facilities running at military bases across Afghanistan and build camp facilities such as kitchens, runways and heliports, as well as military tactical bases outside camp.
Most of the latest tour will be centred around Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.
Major Iain Brown, 37, is hoping he will be able to use his leave in July to be present at the birth of his and 32-year-old wife Lex's first child.
"I might still miss it. It's difficult going away now," said Iain, who has served in Afghanistan before.
"We have to rely on the Army welfare support back here."
Lex added: "We have to make the best of it. It's exciting but a bit scary."
Staff Sergeant Dave Corden was embarking on his third tour, leaving wife Nicola, 32, son Samuel, three, and daughter Abigail, one.
"There's been a massive improvement in welfare provision for the families when we're away on tour. It's a big load off my mind."
Nicola agrees: "When he was in Iraq in 2003, there was no welfare provision at all. Last year when he was in Afghanistan there was at least a weekly email from the welfare team, coffee mornings weekly and they tried to arrange a big families event once a month.
"Samuel sees dad as going to the desert for a long time to kill the bad men."
Dave has fond memories of his return home from his last tour 14 months ago.
"We had the Freedom of Broxtowe parade in Beeston. Lots of people were out on the streets cheering and saying 'nice one boys'.
"It's really nice to know that the people where you are based support you."
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Browse said: "We have spent six months intensive training for this operation, training as soldiers and as engineers. I am fortunate to have a very capable and gifted bunch, many of whom are familiar with Afghanistan."
Warrant Officer Dean Hunt, 36, will be based in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province.
He is leaving behind wife Sharon, 36, and sons Oscar, two, and Harry, who is only 11 days old.
His last tour saw him overseeing Afghan-led building projects. "The interpreters who have been there a few years are really good. You're in the office from 8am and leave when you can – it could be 8pm or midnight."
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