This week we have received the terrible news of the death of three
servicemen of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and the serious wounding of
four others at Nahr-e Saraj, in Helmand province in Afghanistan. This
regiment, whose headquarters is at Shorncliffe Barracks, has become an
integral part of our life in our community. All of these Gurkhas,
wherever they were born, and wherever they are serving in the world
will always have a special place in our hearts. We send our deepest
condolences to the families, friends and comrades of these men.
At the time of writing, it would seem that this attack was carried out
on the men, by a lone individual who betrayed his British and Afghan
comrades. The Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox, has pledged
that this will be fully investigated and that every effort will be
made to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice.
In Hythe last Sunday, I attended the parade to mark Armed Forces and
Veterans Day. This is the day when we remember the service and
sacrifices of our veterans of the armed forces from the many conflicts
of the 20th century, as well as those of our armed forces around the
world today. The armed forces have long been part of life in
Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. We can still see the defences that
protected Britain’s frontier, from the Martello towers, Royal Military
Canal and the airfields and graves of pilots from the Battle of
Britain. But the frontiers of Britain’s defences today are found
around the world, in Helmand, and Sierra Leone and in the borderless
and perpetual battle against international terrorism.
Last week in the House of Commons, I held a debate focused on the
centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, and the vital role
played by our community during that conflict. We gave shelter to tens
of thousands of refugees from Belgium during that war, and the port of
Folkestone was the major port for servicemen to travel to and from the
trenches. It is believed that around 9 million men, from across the
world, went through Folkestone during that war. In that war, people
fought side by side to defend life and liberty, not just for
themselves, but for the benefit of others. The same is true of the
sacrifices made my generations of servicemen, and our armed forces
today.
Like everyone, I long for the day when the conflict in Afghanistan has
ended, and the defence and peace of that country can be provided by
its own people. As the Prime Minister has stated, I would hope that
over the next five years we can complete this mission. Difficult as it
is however, we cannot now walk away and leave the future of that
country and region in the hands of terror gangs who care nothing for
the liberties of their countrymen, neighbours or the world. If our
history teaches us something, it must be that.