Jamie cheats death by inches

Royton soldier Jamie Ford narrowly escaped death when a rocket-propelled grenade whizzed past his head in Afghanistan.

A Royton soldier cheated death by inches when a rocket-propelled grenade whizzed past his head as he fought in Afghanistan.

LCpl Jamie Ford (20) has been in the Helmand Province for three months as a Royal Military Policeman (RMP), his first tour in Afghanistan.

And on one of his first patrols, part of Operation Zafar — to clear Taliban away from areas of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah —he came under small arms fire.

Jamie, whose parents Sarah and Steve, his brother Ashley (12) and six-year-old sister Olivia, wait anxiously for news in Royton, said: “It took us about four hours to move four kilometres.

“It was the first time I’ve ever had rounds past my head. You don’t have time to think — it’s later that you think ‘that was close’.

“One day we were getting attacked in a small base and I couldn’t see the enemy, so I opened one of the doors and a rocket-propelled grenade flew over my head.

“I thought ‘a few inches to the right that could have been me’.”

Jamie, a former pupil of Crompton House School, is serving with 173 Provost Company, RMP for six months, alongside The Welsh Guards in Lashkar Gah.

He provides advice on the Rules of Engagement, and collects evidence when suspected insurgents are caught or enemy weapons found.

He was chosen after excelling in an overseas exercise in the build-up to the tour, and his job means travelling out to smaller bases for two to three weeks at a time, as the temperatures hit 45°C.

He said: “The last few days the heat has shot up.

“Normally our patrols in vehicles turn into foot patrols and as I carry evidence-holding kit, and electrical kit on top of everything else, plus four litres of water.

“I’m probably carrying 60-70lbs.

“The worst thing is the sun. No matter how much you drink you just seem constantly in need of more water.

“It’s the hardest thing — mentally and physically — I have ever done but also the best experience I’ve ever had.

“The most enjoyable point is every day spent out on the ground and in the patrol bases knowing that you’re fighting the Taliban and meeting people who you will be friends with for life.”

Jamie will return home to Royton in three months.