York soldiers set out for six-month tour of Afghanistan (From York Press)

York soldiers set out for six-month tour of Afghanistan

9:48am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

A HUNDRED York-based soldiers have bid goodbye to their families as they head out for a six-month tour of Afghanistan.

The soldiers, from a 250-strong group from 2nd Signal Regiment based at Imphal Barracks, will be providing secure communications, computers, video-conferencing and telephones for units in Helmand Province and Kabul.

Among the York soldiers gathered at the barracks before being taken to their flight yesterday was acting Lance Corporal Michael Nunn, 25, of Strensall, who was saying goodbye to his emotional wife Camilla, 19.

Mrs Nunn, who works for Aviva in York, said her husband had never been away for so long before.

She said: “I’m excited for him to go because it’s part of his tour. Six months is a long time, so it’s a bit heartbreaking. He’s been away for two months before, so it’s another four months longer than before.”

Corporal Dugal Williams, 33, of Fulford, was with his wife Jenna, 28, originally from Copmanthorpe, and their son, Cairon.

He said: “I’m quite looking forward to going – the quicker I go, the quicker I come back. This is the fifth time I have been to Afghanistan so my wife is used to it. I’m going to keep my head down.”

Major Mark Davis, of Strensall, was with his wife Jemima and children Patrick, six, and Cecily, four.

He said that while he was “switching into work mode” he was sorry to be leaving his family, but would be able to talk to them on Skype, He said: “It will be deeply sad not to have these two leaping on me in the morning but I will be able to see them. It will be a reminder of what I’m missing out on.”

Sig Richard Thomson, 26, of Acomb, said he had said goodbye to his four children, Chloe, Katie, Shane and Terry, and his parents in Dringhouses on Monday night.

The signallers will be supporting the ISAF troops, including 4th Mechanised Brigade from Catterick, who took over control of Task Force Helmand earlier this month.