By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:42, Tuesday, 30 October 2012

A young soldier serving in Afghanistan for the first time has spoken of life on the front line – and how he misses his dog, Cumberland sausage and fresh strawberries.

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Kingsman Ben Abbott is part of the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, but is currently serving with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and Search task force.

For the 20-year-old, from Whitehaven, it is his first tour in the battle-weary country, where he travels all over the area of operations helping detonate and remove explosives.

The majority of the Duke of Lancs regiment has only recently left for Afghanistan, but because of the specialist nature of Ben’s role he has been overseas for two months already.

Operational security means the soldier cannot reveal where he currently is – or where he will be travelling to – but speaking to the News & Star, he revealed the truth about life on the front line, and the camaraderie which keeps him going.

“Before coming out here I felt a mixture of excitement to be going to a new country to do my job, and extremely nervous as to what I would see and do,” he recalled.

“When I arrived it was coming to the end of the summer and it was very hot, but it was bearable because we had air-conditioned tents.”

While Ben admits to cravings for chains such as Starbucks, Nandos and Costa, the food is better than expected.

He explained: “I was expecting the Army's finest chiefs to do what they can to give us a varied diet with the rations they can get hold of. This is true in some parts, but we have a good supply of fresh produce brought out to us too.”

Despite this, Ben said he still longs for items simply not available in Afghanistan.

“I miss Cumberland sausage, Kendal mint cake, fresh strawberries and Cadburys or Galaxy chocolate,” he added.”

Ben, who has four brothers, said it is tough being so far from home, and relies upon the good morale among his colleagues to keep him going.

“I am missing a few things from Cumbria like the grass and animals in the fields, the cool breeze from the sea,” he explained. “Of course I miss my family and friends, but I also miss my dog, my room and a decent bath.

“Letter and parcels from home are always wanted and greatly appreciated. You can hold [a letter] in your hand, knowing the person who wrote it was holding it possibly in the same manner and you can reread it anytime. Better than Facebook.”

Ben added: “As always while doing a job, you are terrified as to what your next job is and whether you will get everything you need to do done right, but as I said we all support and look after one another.”

Fortunately Ben’s role does not include much of the search aspect, but he said in order to complete the bits he does do he simply focuses on the drills he has carried out hundreds of times and uses “the fear” to prevent him making mistakes.

“Fear is the best caffeine substitute I think,” he joked.

Ben will return to Cumbria in about a month, for two weeks rest and recuperation, before returning to Afghanistan for the remainder of his tour, including Christmas and New Year.

First published at 11:33, Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk