So, where DO you post a valentine card in Helmand
SHINY red British postboxes aren’t the first things that spring to mind when you think of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
But this iconic reminder of home sits proudly in Main Operating Base (MOB) Price.
And the hard-working members of the British Forces Post Office are currently grafting overtime to make sure loved ones at home don’t go lonely this Valentine’s Day.
Royal Marine Lewis Bell-Longford is seen here posting a love letter to girlfriend Lowrie Davies, who is waiting patiently at home for him in his native Somerset.
The Royal Marine, 24, from 40 Commando, was first in line to make sure this handmade card got to his missus of two years.
He said: “If I can’t be there on the day, it makes it easier to send something so she knows I’m thinking of her.
“I can’t be with her this Valentine’s Day but I’m looking forward to seeing Lowrie when I get back for my two-week break in a month’s time.
“We’re planning to go on holiday as soon as I’m back – somewhere warm and sunny, and hopefully with a bit more nightlife than we get over here!”
The shiny red postbox was delivered to Camp Price back in July 2007, courtesy of the Royal Mail and the British Forces Post Office in London.
And the whole operation of getting mail to and from Afghanistan is a mammoth undertaking.
Post is delivered and sent back home twice a week by military personnel working on behalf of the Royal Mail.
Parcels for individual troops under 2kg can be sent free of charge to military bases in Afghanistan through any UK Post Office.
And if you wish to send a moraleboosting gift to our boys and girls on the front line, visit www.uk4u.org.