This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8406092.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mother's military support group Mother's military support group
(20 minutes later)
The mother of a soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan has set up a support group for Welsh families of armed forces personnel.The mother of a soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan has set up a support group for Welsh families of armed forces personnel.
Cpl Dean John, 25, from Port Talbot, was serving in the Queen's Dragoon Guards on his second Afghanistan tour when he died in March.Cpl Dean John, 25, from Port Talbot, was serving in the Queen's Dragoon Guards on his second Afghanistan tour when he died in March.
His mother, Deborah John, said the group was not just aimed at those who were grieving a conflict-related death.His mother, Deborah John, said the group was not just aimed at those who were grieving a conflict-related death.
The group holds its first meeting at Port Talbot British Legion on Thursday.The group holds its first meeting at Port Talbot British Legion on Thursday.
Waffs (Welsh Armed Forces Families Support) plans to alongside SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association), for which Ms John is regional representative. Waffs (Welsh Armed Forces Families Support) plans to work alongside SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association), for which Ms John is regional representative.
She said: "I researched a little bit. I was looking for some support for myself and my family and the only people who could actually get immediate help were going to be the wives and children.She said: "I researched a little bit. I was looking for some support for myself and my family and the only people who could actually get immediate help were going to be the wives and children.
"There is no group in Wales at the moment that people can talk to other families going through similar circumstances.""There is no group in Wales at the moment that people can talk to other families going through similar circumstances."
Engines and trucksEngines and trucks
Cpl John, a married father-of-three, had served previous tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.Cpl John, a married father-of-three, had served previous tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Having enlisted in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Reme), the vehicle mechanic and a fellow engineer were members of the Light Aid Detachment of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDGs), otherwise known as the Welsh Cavalry.Having enlisted in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Reme), the vehicle mechanic and a fellow engineer were members of the Light Aid Detachment of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDGs), otherwise known as the Welsh Cavalry.
Based at Camp Bastion in Helmand, they were travelling in all-terrain armoured Jackal vehicle when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device.Based at Camp Bastion in Helmand, they were travelling in all-terrain armoured Jackal vehicle when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device.
Cpl John, who was born and bred in Neath, had a lifelong love of engines and trucks and was driven to his funeral service on the back of a new lorry.Cpl John, who was born and bred in Neath, had a lifelong love of engines and trucks and was driven to his funeral service on the back of a new lorry.
Ms John said she was setting up the group in memory of her son.Ms John said she was setting up the group in memory of her son.
She said his death had affected not just his immediate family but the extended family as well.She said his death had affected not just his immediate family but the extended family as well.
She said: "You can imagine the impact.She said: "You can imagine the impact.
"Apart from leaning on each other, we had a family liaison officer who came home from Germany with Dean's wife Wendy, and the children, and was around the first four or five weeks."Apart from leaning on each other, we had a family liaison officer who came home from Germany with Dean's wife Wendy, and the children, and was around the first four or five weeks.
"After that, I spoke to an army welfare officer from Brecon who came down and offered me some leaflets and told me to get in touch with [the bereavement charity] Cruse.""After that, I spoke to an army welfare officer from Brecon who came down and offered me some leaflets and told me to get in touch with [the bereavement charity] Cruse."
The group plans to meet every second Thursday of the month at Royal British Legion Club in Talbot Road, Port Talbot.The group plans to meet every second Thursday of the month at Royal British Legion Club in Talbot Road, Port Talbot.