The Friends of the Green Howards	CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR YORKSHIRE REGIMENT SOLDIERS
Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment (19th Foot). The North York Militia, The North York Local Militia & North York Rifle Volunteers

The Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment wrote a special letter of thanks to Ray Gascoyne, whose website www.ex-greenhowards.com has been at the forefront of organising Christmas Boxes for the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion. This letter (in the form of a PDF file) can be read by selecting the link below, and shows just how much these boxes are appreciated.

Left to right: LCpl Sean Green, Cpl Richard Welsh, Pte Shane Johnson and Cpl Jamie Hunter
of the 2 YORKS Quartermaster Department.

Royal Mail and British Forces Post Office (BFPO) has put a smile on the faces of the soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) when they announced the continuation of the free postal service.

The announcement on 12 November 2007 that the free parcel service for the families of troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq is to be extended came as a welcome surprise especially as the Battalion is deployed in Afghanistan over the Christmas period.

The 2nd Battalion deployed to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan in mid September 2007 as part of 52 Infantry Brigade. They have assumed the role of Operational Mentoring Liaison Team to the Afghan National Army, a job which is considered to be one of the most challenging in theatre.

Members of the Quartermaster’s Department in Camp Shorabak play a pivotal role in distributing mail to the soldiers in the Battalion. The Officer in charge of the department, Major Marc Steventon said:

“When separated from family, friends and loved ones for extended periods, communications are essential to maintain contact with what is happening back home. The joy of receiving mail while on operations should not be underestimated.”

Corporal Richard Welsh, from Peterlee, who works as the Technical Sergeant in the Quartermaster Department, is especially pleased with the extension of the free postal service. He said: “My morale goes through the roof when I receive a parcel.”

Lance Corporal Sean Green, from Harrogate said; “A big thanks to the Ministry of Defence, BFPO and Royal Mail as we really appreciate the extension.”

Under the new deal, the costs of continuing the free parcel scheme will be shared jointly by Royal Mail and the BFPO. Relatives and friends can take parcels weighing up to two kilograms to any of the UK's 14,150 Post Office branches for onward posting to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Royal Navy ships in the region.

In the run up to Christmas, the Battalion is expecting a large influx of parcels from their loved ones.

Dor further details on sending a parcel to the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, currently serving in Afghanistan, please see below.

The 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (the Green Howards) are currently serving in Afghanistan.

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED
FOR OUR YORKSHIRE SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN.

PLEASE SHOW YOU CARE BY SENDING
A GIFT TO OUR FIGHTING MEN
FAR AWAY FROM HOME THIS CHRISTMAS.

A SHOE BOX FULL OF PRESENTS WOULD BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
(SEE BELOW FOR SUGGESTED ITEMS)

SEND YOUR BOX TO:

SHOE BOX APPEAL
RAOWO
2 YORKS BATTLE GROUP
OP HERRICK 7
BFPO 792

POSTAGE IS FREE
MAX WEIGHT IS 2 Kg
LAST POSTAGE DATE, 7th DEC 2007

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SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR SHOE BOX

• SHOWER GEL
• TOOTHPASTE
• DISPOSABLE RAZOR
• BOILED SWEETS
• BOOT LACES
• TOOTH BRUSH
• NOTE PAPER
• ENVELOPES
• BIROS
• PLAYING CARDS
• NOTE BOOK
• CHEWING GUM
• CHRISTMAS CARD
• PAPER BACK BOOK
• PLASTIC MUG

THIS IS BY NO MEANS A COMPLETE LIST BUT PLEASE BE AWARE OF POSTAL WEIGHT & RESTRICTED ITEMS

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