What a difference a day makes in Afghanistan
4 Jan 10
A corporal from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS) has experienced first-hand that life in the operational theatre of Afghanistan can go from one extreme to another in the space of two days.
Corporal Eddie Scott talks to a group of Afghan children in Helmand province
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Corporal Eddie Scott has seen numerous tours throughout his career, but nothing in his previous operational experience could have prepared him for the nuances of the campaign in Afghanistan.
As a Section Commander in 4 Platoon of B Company, 1 SCOTS, he has seen, heard and done a lot in his career, but he would never have expected to be controlling an intense fire fight one morning, and only two days later be conducting a meeting with local elders and their children regarding improving their lives in the long term.
The fire fight took place while Cpl Scott was protecting a resupply convoy in Sangin, Helmand province.
He said:
"Getting supplies around Helmand by land is a dangerous business. The locals who drive the trucks and the British troops who protect the convoys don't get half as much recognition as they deserve.
"My men and I were watching a convoy only recently and unfortunately this situation was no different. No sooner had we 'got eyes-on' the vehicles, than they were contacted by insurgents.
"Who would have thought that leading a goat over walls and down alleyways would have been such a struggle?"
Corporal Eddie Scott
"Rocket-propelled grenades [RPGs] and small arms were directed at the convoy but the enemy were not expecting us to be waiting in the wings. We identified their firing position and engaged them.
"To say that they were surprised when we started firing at them would be an understatement. The result of our action was that they turned their attention away from the convoy and started to concentrate their fire on our position.
"Three RPGs later, the wall behind which the guys and I were firing had taken a pounding. However, we were soon back in position on top of the crumbling wall, returning fire with our own 66 [rocket launcher] and another burst on the machine gun. This seemed to do the trick and I called ceasefire.
"The team show tremendous bravery under fire and I could not want for a better group of men to fight the enemy."
Two days after the contact, Cpl Scott's section was tasked with visiting a local compound to check on the progress of an Afghan Government-sponsored community project to renovate a well in the village.
As a mark of respect and good will they took with them a goat plus other gifts to present to the locals.
Corporal Eddie Scott with an Afghan farmer and his goat
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Cpl Scott said:
"We thought it was a good idea to show the locals that we are here to help them but who would have thought that leading a goat over walls and down alleyways would have been such a struggle? At least the rest of the team had a good laugh at the goat's antics as I tried to walk it into the village!
"All the gifts, the sweets, gloves and toys were really well-received. You can see real joy in the faces of the local kids, even though they are cutting about with no shoes on.
"Their beaming smiles grew a little wider when we gave them the sweets and toys. I think that all of us in the team with kids at home have a soft spot at seeing these children with very little so happy to be given even the smallest present."
Cpl Scott has just had the pleasure of giving gifts to his own children when he was at home on R&R (Rest and Recuperation) for Christmas with his wife and three daughters, as well as baby Alex who was born just weeks before he left to go on tour in October last year. He is now back in Afghanistan for the second half of his tour and will be back in the UK in April.