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'Nobody bats an eyelid anymore' 'Nobody bats an eyelid anymore'
(about 2 hours later)
By Ray Furlong BBC News, Radio 4's The World at One Many lawn bowls players in Plymouth were close to Afghan war casualtiesBy Ray Furlong BBC News, Radio 4's The World at One Many lawn bowls players in Plymouth were close to Afghan war casualties
Locals still play lawn bowls on Plymouth Hoe, and while the Taliban are not about to sail across the horizon as the Spanish Armada once did, the rising number of casualties in Afghanistan this summer has made a strong impact on the players.Locals still play lawn bowls on Plymouth Hoe, and while the Taliban are not about to sail across the horizon as the Spanish Armada once did, the rising number of casualties in Afghanistan this summer has made a strong impact on the players.
It has been the bloodiest summer of fighting for British troops in Afghanistan since they were deployed there, with 22 dead in July, and 15 killed so far in August.It has been the bloodiest summer of fighting for British troops in Afghanistan since they were deployed there, with 22 dead in July, and 15 killed so far in August.
Six service personnel from Plymouth have died since the war began, including one in July, one of the highest death tolls for a UK city.Six service personnel from Plymouth have died since the war began, including one in July, one of the highest death tolls for a UK city.
"It's closer to home here," said Steve Cook, reflecting on the city's role as the base for the Royal Marines."It's closer to home here," said Steve Cook, reflecting on the city's role as the base for the Royal Marines.
Travis Mackin, a 22-year-old marine killed by an explosion in January while on patrol in Kajaki, used to drink in Mr Cook's local pub.Travis Mackin, a 22-year-old marine killed by an explosion in January while on patrol in Kajaki, used to drink in Mr Cook's local pub.
"Everyone was just so stunned and upset," he added. "It's personal.""Everyone was just so stunned and upset," he added. "It's personal."
But Mr Cook feels the war is not registering with the country at large.But Mr Cook feels the war is not registering with the country at large.
"Nobody seems to be taking any notice."Nobody seems to be taking any notice.
"Three or four die at once and nobody seems to bat an eyelid."Three or four die at once and nobody seems to bat an eyelid.
"Most of the country doesn't realise what's happening. There are only certain areas like Wootton Bassett and here where people get really upset.""Most of the country doesn't realise what's happening. There are only certain areas like Wootton Bassett and here where people get really upset."
Military fatalities in Afghanistan Publican John Buckley offers free drinks for returning service personnel Military fatalities in Afghanistan
Another bowls player, Pat Kent, has also been personally touched by the war.Another bowls player, Pat Kent, has also been personally touched by the war.
"I've got a friend whose son is just about to go out and she's absolutely desperate. She just feels so worried. He's already been out once and now he's going again," she said."I've got a friend whose son is just about to go out and she's absolutely desperate. She just feels so worried. He's already been out once and now he's going again," she said.
A short walk around Plymouth's 17th Century citadel - built to protect the port from the Dutch and still in use by the military today - ends at the Navy Inn.A short walk around Plymouth's 17th Century citadel - built to protect the port from the Dutch and still in use by the military today - ends at the Navy Inn.
Memorials for two pub regulars who died in Afghanistan have been hung on the wall, along with pictures of their comrades in Helmand and other photos from earlier campaigns such as Iraq and the Falklands.Memorials for two pub regulars who died in Afghanistan have been hung on the wall, along with pictures of their comrades in Helmand and other photos from earlier campaigns such as Iraq and the Falklands.
At the bar there is a collection box for the Help for Heroes charity.At the bar there is a collection box for the Help for Heroes charity.
The landlord, John Buckley, spent thirty years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and lays on free drinks for returning units.The landlord, John Buckley, spent thirty years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and lays on free drinks for returning units.
He said the bloody summer in Afghanistan may be changing the attitude of some people - though not his.He said the bloody summer in Afghanistan may be changing the attitude of some people - though not his.
"Ben McBean, the marine who Prince Harry said is 'the real hero', is a regular here. He's a nice lad and I hope he wins his case for more compensation."Ben McBean, the marine who Prince Harry said is 'the real hero', is a regular here. He's a nice lad and I hope he wins his case for more compensation.
"But when you get people coming in with limbs missing, it does affect the way people look at things."But when you get people coming in with limbs missing, it does affect the way people look at things.
"It tends to make people think, 'why are we out there?' But we're out there for a good reason - to prevent a country being taken over by a terrorist organisation.""It tends to make people think, 'why are we out there?' But we're out there for a good reason - to prevent a country being taken over by a terrorist organisation."
In Plymouth it is easy to find people who have been affected by the deployment of troops to Afghanistan.In Plymouth it is easy to find people who have been affected by the deployment of troops to Afghanistan.
A city with a population of 250,000, some 12,000 work in the defence sector, including 7,500 directly in the armed forces.A city with a population of 250,000, some 12,000 work in the defence sector, including 7,500 directly in the armed forces.
It's so weird that there are people in Plymouth that you actually know who are dying in Afghanistan Harry SpeareIt's so weird that there are people in Plymouth that you actually know who are dying in Afghanistan Harry Speare
Thousands lined the streets for 42 Commando's homecoming parade in May.Thousands lined the streets for 42 Commando's homecoming parade in May.
The unit lost three men during its deployment in Afghanistan.The unit lost three men during its deployment in Afghanistan.
But supporting the troops is not always the same as supporting the war itself.But supporting the troops is not always the same as supporting the war itself.
Henry Speare played football in the same amateur football team as Travis Mackin when he was younger, and went to school with 18-year-old Joshua Hammond, who was killed in Helmand in July while on patrol with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.Henry Speare played football in the same amateur football team as Travis Mackin when he was younger, and went to school with 18-year-old Joshua Hammond, who was killed in Helmand in July while on patrol with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.
"It's so weird that there are people in Plymouth that you actually know who are dying in Afghanistan," he said."It's so weird that there are people in Plymouth that you actually know who are dying in Afghanistan," he said.
"I know a few more who are planning to go - and I think we're losing valuable lives for a stupid cause.""I know a few more who are planning to go - and I think we're losing valuable lives for a stupid cause."
His father, Larry Speare, is a prominent Plymouth businessman and also a former serviceman.His father, Larry Speare, is a prominent Plymouth businessman and also a former serviceman.
He has called for a petition to be started, with the aim of increasing the pressure to bring the troops home.He has called for a petition to be started, with the aim of increasing the pressure to bring the troops home.
Businessman Larry Speare wants British troops brought homeBusinessman Larry Speare wants British troops brought home
"It's only when these things land on your own doorstep that you realise it," he said, speaking in the furniture shop he has run for 40 years."It's only when these things land on your own doorstep that you realise it," he said, speaking in the furniture shop he has run for 40 years.
"I've been involved in local football teams for years, so I've seen these soldiers grow up as boys and of course you get to know their parents too."I've been involved in local football teams for years, so I've seen these soldiers grow up as boys and of course you get to know their parents too.
"I also know marines who are fathers of some of the young kids."I also know marines who are fathers of some of the young kids.
"They've been on the touchline with us on a Saturday afternoon, and you see them go off.""They've been on the touchline with us on a Saturday afternoon, and you see them go off."
"Our home pitch is by the Commando school at Bickley just outside PlymouthÂ… and the amount of times we've been out there and seen the wreaths outside the gate - that really brings it home to you.""Our home pitch is by the Commando school at Bickley just outside PlymouthÂ… and the amount of times we've been out there and seen the wreaths outside the gate - that really brings it home to you."