The JTYAF is delighted that the publication of John's Afghanistan diaries in a new book entitled ‘Helmand: Diaries of Front-Line Soldiers’ has been such a great success.

With all royalties from sales of the book being split equally between the JTYAF and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust, this book, for the first time, offers us an insight into the life that our soldiers lead on operational deployment through the diaries of those who serve.

With John’s diary as the centrepiece, the tour on which he deployed (Op HERRICK 7) is depicted in fascinating detail from both his perspective, as well as from that of his Company Commander, Company Second-in-Command, his unit’s Padre, and a Royal Marine from the Fire Support Group which he commanded. The diaries afford us an honest, emotional and gripping portrayal of the events which Charlie Company of 40 Commando Royal Marines experienced together during 2007 and 2008, from some very different viewpoints and perspectives.

In 2011 John’s brother, Ian, deployed to Afghanistan in command of 9 Platoon from the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, to an area of Helmand province not far from where John fell. Ian’s diaries are also included in the book to highlight the vast progress that has been achieved in Helmand since John’s deployment, and to show how, despite the fact that the challenges faced by our soldiers can change and evolve over the years, their humour, professionalism and steadfast resolve remains a constant throughout.That none of these diaries were ever written with the intention of achieving publication makes them all the more valuable and sincere, and here at the JTYAF we would urge you to purchase this historic work – if not to support us then to recognise the incredible sacrifice that the men and women of our Armed Forces make on our behalf on a daily basis.

'Helmand: Diaries of Front-Line Soldiers’ is available direct from the JTYAF at £9.99 plus £3 postage and packing. £5 from every purchase will be donated to the charity. For larger orders please phone Pete on 07792121645.

The book can also be purchased from Amazon and Osprey the publishers.