Soldier starts new role with North York Moors National Park (From York Press)

Soldier starts new role with North York Moors National Park

8:38am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in News

A SOLDIER who served on the front line in Afghanistan has started her new role at a North Yorkshire national park.

Major Elspeth De Montes, was a regimental medical officer in the army but suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after a six-and-a-half month tour in Afghanistan, which included a posting in Sangin, Helmand, in 2010.

After taking some time off work, Maj De Montes was the first recruit for the National Park Authority’s initiative to provide work experience and rehabilitation for wounded military personnel, and she spent six weeks carrying out conservation work in the North York Moors.

Maj De Montes said: “The manual aspect of the job was great as I enjoy hard work and I benefited from the sense of achievement in seeing a task progressing. It was good to be back in a routine.

“Interacting and chatting to the apprentices and volunteers was a benefit as I had isolated myself as part of my illness, which had affected my confidence and self-esteem. Team work is always a great way of restoring a sense of being important and worthwhile. I am back in uniform now and hope to be able to continue in the army.”