On the 18th of July, 2009, 27 Squadron RAF Regiment deployed to Afghanistan, where they were to engage in operations to support the Afghani people in their struggle against the Taliban. Sombre family groups gathered in the main hangar at the airbase in Suffolk, from where their loved ones were to embark upon the perilous mission. Some choked back
tears, others sobbed openly. All were aware of the dangers and uncertainty of the assignment.
When the final farewells had been made and 27 Squadron had headed skyward, their families returned to their homes, across the length and breadth of the country. On their various journeys, some caught the news of the death, that very day of Henry Allingham, (6/6/1896-18/07/2009) the oldest ever surviving member of any of the British Armed Forces and the oldest surviving veteran of the First World War.
Once back at home, the disparate family members faced 6 lonely, anxious months, broken only by two weeks of R n R (Rest and Recreation), until the return of their heroes in February 2010.
It was at this stage, that many of the families began to support each other by exchanging information on the RAF Community Support Website. This forum was designed to enable the Squadron to communicate with their families and to exchange information about what was going on in ‘The Stan’ and back home.
Whilst some visitors to the forum were known to each other, many were but faceless names on a computer screen - yet they shared a deep and intense level of intimacy.
The first posting in mid July was a reassuring one, from one of the wives, to say that she had heard briefly from her husband that everyone on the Squadron had arrived safely and were all in the process of setting up their phone and internet accounts. There was some jubilation when it was confirmed that ‘Skype’ appeared to work out there.
More reassurances followed towards the end of July, as people gradually began to hear from their loved ones and were advised that they could use the forum to address any questions to the Squadron in the field or to the rear party back in the UK.
Then, out of the blue, one member of the forum posted a few stanzas of verse, entitled:
OUR WARRIOR SON
I'm feeling heavy-hearted for our son has gone to war,
I'm beset with vile forebodings, grief and angst and so much more
But then, when I remember, how proud he is to serve, I'm filled with admiration for his bravery and nerve, The loyalty to his country which he represents with pride, And so I brush away the tears and put my fears aside, To count the weeks, the days and hours, until we see our boy, Our brave, high-spirited warrior-son, who’s brought us so much joy.
Within a very short space of time, an amazing thing happened - everyone was posting poetry and it soon became apparent that it was breaking down barriers and bringing people together. The forum was flourishing!
More on the therapeutic powers of poetry will follow in due course. So, please watch this space.
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