Medal gunners recall Afghan loss

Four of the six gunners honoured at the Inverness ceremony

Artillery gunners recalled their regiment's loss in Afghanistan during a ceremony recognising their deployment to the country.

The six members of the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery - The Highland Gunners - were presented with Afghanistan Medals at Inverness Town House.

A funeral for an army captain killed in Helmand Province also took place in Inverness on Monday.

Captain John McDermid, 43, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers was laid to rest.

After receiving their accolades, the gunners said the death of a colleague from their own ranks was still fresh.

Sergeant Dave Wilkinson, 33, from Ashford, Kent, was killed when his vehicle was blown up on 1 July after his patrol was engaged by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.

Last time was more of a peace keeping this time more of a war fighting role Sgt Gary Crossland Chief praises soldier's bravery

Second Lieutenant Sarah Napper, 25, from Hampshire, who joined the Highland Gunners shortly after gaining her commission in April, said: "Just recently we had our own funeral in the regiment for Sgt Dave Wilkinson who was killed in Afghanistan.

"That is obviously very fresh in everyone's minds as well."

Gunner Steven Raffan, 27, from Aberdeen, added: "As a whole regiment our thoughts go out to Mr McDermid's family."

Supporting 12 Mechanised Brigade, the gunners were often deployed in the desert for prolonged periods of time providing fire support with 105mm light guns, mortars fire and working with attack helicopters.

For some it was the first time on operations, while others had experienced previous tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sergeant Gary Crossland, 35, of Ballachulish, said: "I was there in 2002 with Operation Fingle so this was the second time.

"Last time was more peace keeping, this time was more of a war fighting role."

He added: "There was a lot going on always something happening in the province every day.

"As a regiment as a whole we were supporting a brigade, so rather than working in one area we were spread over the entire province, so somebody was doing something daily."

Superior training

On the Taleban, Sgt Crossland said: "They are tenacious and we do respect them, but we are better."

Bombardier Thomas McGhee, 24, from Ayr, who previously served in Iraq, believed the gunners superior training was key.

The gunners will now begin a programme of fresh training before possible deployment again in 2009.