A SOLDIER from Pinner has told of his experiences in the front line of combat in Afghanistan , while his parents talk of their day-to-day worries for his safety.
Lieutenant Matt 'Flash' Gourdin is on his first tour of the country with 4th Battalion Royal Artillery and has spent the last two months posted to Sangin, Helmand Province.
The 24-year-old former Merchant Taylor's School pupil joined the army in September 2007. It was a career choice his parents say they neither encouraged nor discouraged, but are proud of nonetheless.
In his role as the joint tactical air controller, Lt Gourdin is responsible for co-ordinating air and ground assets, ensuring everything is where it needs to be.
He reports from the Middle East: "My job involves co-ordinating airspace, making sure artillery shells don't hit aircraft, and that we are protecting local people. I also deal with new surveillance technology to monitor what is going on in Sangin town."
Lt Gourdin grew up in Pinner with parents Paul and Norma. His father told the Observer: "There is no two ways about it, Afghanistan is not a conventional campaign. There is a sense of imminent tragedy, it goes for anybody who is out there.
"The fact that he [Matt] doesn't go into any detail of what he is doing makes us worry more."
Since the start of military operations in Afghanistan in October 2001, 286 British soldiers have been killed there, over a hundred more than were killed in the Iraq War. The latest British casualty, on Friday (21), was a soldier on foot patrol in Sangin.
On Monday (May 24) it was announced that top bomb disposal officer Colonel Bob Seddon has quit over fears training could be compromised. Continued Mr Gourdin: "We heard the news of the colonel resigning, which is hardly reassuring. It is a highly dangerous job, one wonders what the end game will be."
The new UK coalition government have reaffirmed their support for NATO-led operations against the Taliban and Liam Fox made his first visit to the country as defence secretary on Saturday.
Dr Fox was joined by foreign secretary William Hague and international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, who said: "Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. There are few countries where the combination of our moral commitment to development and safeguarding our national interest is so enmeshed."
Afghanistan was last year listed by the Human Development Index as the world's second poorest country in terms of life expectancy, education, standard of living and Gross Domestic Product.
Lt Gourdin arrived there in March and often spends long hours in the operations room or on foot patrol, preparing to support friendly forces with aviation assets. "We are making progress and it can be very exciting," he continued.
"When it comes to contacts though, it can get a bit weird. It is not about killing the enemy, it is about protecting our comrades and the local people. If we can extract from a killing zone without loss to life we will."
Back at base, there is access to the internet and telephones. Lt Gourdin added: "I'm also lucky enough to have a large family, so there is loads of mail getting through!"
On Sunday (May 23) dad Paul received a phone call from son Matt wishing him happy birthday. "He seems very buoyant and upbeat about it," he said. "But a day doesn't go by without us thinking about him."
Lt Gourdin, a keen motorcyclist and hill-walker, says he is very much looking forward to getting home to girlfriend Reane in October.
