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18/09/2009
Actor Winstone Visits Helmand Frontline
Hollywood 'geezer' Ray Winstone has paid tribute to British troops fighting in Afghanistan.
Winstone was so moved by the sacrifices made by UK forces this summer that he decided to express his gratitude personally.
The actor flew to Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan "to thank the boys and girls".
He joined teams of Royal Engineers from the Joint Forces Explosive Ordinance Disposal Group on the counter-IED training area to see how they counteract the deadly devices on a daily basis, as part of this three day visit.
Winstone also met with soldiers, sailors and airmen to hear their frontline experiences.
He said: "Everything here is done to support those on the front line. It's like you would imagine Colchester was like in Roman times; one team running a small city in the desert, young British boys and girls, alongside the Yanks, building a future for the Afghans.
"I'm always impressed by how all the units work together, everyone from the chefs and the posties to the infantry lads out at the FOBs."
Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Thomas Gill, aged 20, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said: "It was great that Ray could come out and see us all. He's a diamond geezer!"
(PR/GK)
Winstone was so moved by the sacrifices made by UK forces this summer that he decided to express his gratitude personally.
The actor flew to Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan "to thank the boys and girls".
He joined teams of Royal Engineers from the Joint Forces Explosive Ordinance Disposal Group on the counter-IED training area to see how they counteract the deadly devices on a daily basis, as part of this three day visit.
Winstone also met with soldiers, sailors and airmen to hear their frontline experiences.
He said: "Everything here is done to support those on the front line. It's like you would imagine Colchester was like in Roman times; one team running a small city in the desert, young British boys and girls, alongside the Yanks, building a future for the Afghans.
"I'm always impressed by how all the units work together, everyone from the chefs and the posties to the infantry lads out at the FOBs."
Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Thomas Gill, aged 20, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said: "It was great that Ray could come out and see us all. He's a diamond geezer!"
(PR/GK)
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