Medal for Grimsby soldier Ashley Knight, 19, who trained Afghan Security Forces

A GRIMSBY soldier who was heavily involved in training Afghan Security Forces has received an operational service medal.

Ashley Knight, 19, is one of around 300 soldiers from Lincolnshire who received the accolade, having served in the Second Batallion The Royal Anglian Regiment, also known as The Poachers.

The Poachers recruits from across East Anglia and the East Midlands and is based at Kendrew Barracks in Rutland.

It deployed for one of the final tours in Helmand in September last year, which saw it hand over the Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah and Patrol Base Lashkar Gah Durai to Afghan control.

Ashley said: "We were responsible for the force protection of the Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah.

"That meant protecting the camp while everything inside it was taken by helicopter or vehicle back to Camp Bastion.

"It was very hot and different to anything I had imagined and I experienced more than I expected to."

There to watch him receive his medal was his father David, himself an ex-soldier.

He added: "It's been a really good day and a proud moment to see him receive his medal.

"He's done a really good job, they went out and took the lead and were very professional. I'm extremely proud and I am glad they are all home safe."

Also on the parade was Second World War veteran Harry Bellamy, also from Grimsby, who presented members of the Drums Platoon with their campaign medals.

The 90-year-old served with the Sherwood Fosters and the 46th Lincolnshire Regiment as a territorial soldier.

He saw action in Monte Cassino before being captured at the Battle of Anzio, spending the last 14 months as a prisoner of war. The Commanding Officer of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Johnson, said: "It has been a great day here with our families at the parade and every single soldier can be proud of the job they have done.

"It has been an incredibly satisfying tour to close three bases without difficulties because the Afghan National Security Forces enabled us to do it.

"They are a competent, incredibly professional and capable security force. I asked more of them than they ever asked of me and they delivered every time."

The Poachers will take part in a homecoming parade in Cleethorpes on Wednesday, July 23.

VIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures