With three generations of my family in the forces, as a small girl I grew up heavily influenced by the passion of those around me for the military and defence strategy worldwide. I am currently the only ‘civvy’ member of my family.
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This blog enjoys the support of the Royal British Legion (blog post on Legion Live here) and the blog post Rn’R was printed in the Summer 2011 Edition of Envoy, the RAF Families Federation Journal. It also has the approval of the Ministry of Defence. Information on charities I am happy to work with and support regularly is available on my ‘charity’ page.
IMAGES used on this blog are my intellectual property unless otherwise stated.
Header: Major Paul Smyth
i like this thing, thanks for creating the blog
Just found your blog today via a follow on Twitter, and wanted to let you know it’s great, heartfelt and very witty. More power to your elbow!
I read your blog and its brings a smile to my face but also manages to pull at my heartstrings, the way you cope with your boyfriend’s absence. Its like I’m reading about someone I know……keep the faith, well done Emma. x
Great site! From someone both in the military and raised by a military family!
You’ve got followers from across the pond!
thank you very much for visiting and reading
Really nice blog. Have you seen this VBS documentary? It’s a really amazing glimpse into young people in Thetford preparing for war:
http://bit.ly/b2UwgW
Let me know what you think:)
Hi there,
I just came across your blog mentioned in a Twitter feed (CarsForForces). I’m not related to or close to anyone serving in the forces but I wondered if there was still a way to send packages to soldiers or to anyone else posted away from home, without a particular name on the parcel?
Its not much compared to their efforts but I’d like to send something anonymously if it would show just a tiny piece of appreciation for their efforts. Regardless of my feelings on whether they should have been sent abroad, they and their families are often paying the ultimate price.
If you have 2 mins please let me know your thoughts. Ax
To send a package to “any soldier” visit http://www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk/carepackages.html
You can’t send packages yourself to “any soldier” like you can in America. This is mainly because our forces are understaffed and cannot cope with the amount of packages. The Army tend to send out annual messages asking for people to stop as the service can get very clogged which prevents troops getting their personal mail.
HOWEVER! If you know of a soldier serving in Afghanistan who mentions that someone he works with does not have a family/does not receive any mail you can ask for his BFPO address and send to him directly.
Hope that helps! xx
Charlie Foxtrot…
I just wanted to drop you a line, just to say really how you’ve inspired me. I too am the girlfriend of a soldier in the British Army. I’m reasonably new to this, and I was browsing online before I even started my blog for support networks for just ordinary people like you and I who are with soldiers. That’s how I found your blog! I have read each and every single post and I have to say, I’ve found it a real help – so thank you so much. I’ve really only just started my blog but I plan to keep it going, just like you have with yours
Hiya! I’ll add you to my blog roll so that other people can read yours too. I’m really glad it helped you, its my little outlet when I don’t want to burden my family and friends and I find it really helps.
Speak to you again in the future I’m sure
xx
My last deployment was back in 2007, but I wish this blog had been around for my wife back then.
I don’t know how many deployments you have been through together, but you have a great spirit that comes right off the page as I read – it’s a rare talent you have.
Very best wishes, and keep up the good work. When your soldier comes home, he should be very proud of you, as you are of him.
Hi,
Ive just found this through a post 1 of my friends had put on facebook and really wish I had seen it a few months ago! It has certainly helped, and in particular nice to know there are a lot of other women out there like me. I’m part way through my 1st tour (he’s away) and think I have had a baptism of fire as a wife, we got married in July last year think since then have spent about 3 weeks together if we are lucky so feeling alot of the things you have described.
A massive well done on your blog, it is truly inspirational and keep up the good work. Your man should be immensely proud of you for your strength
x
Hi,
I found out about your blog when I started following you on twitter, and I now follow you on facebook as well. I enjoy reading them as every blog is different and interesting.
I have read other blog and have never found them as interesting as yours. I always look forward to reading your new blog when it pops up on twitter.
I hope you carry on your blogs and I know many people enjoy them and can relate to them soo much. Reading your blogs helps me as I have two very close friends in the army and are currently away in Germany.
xxx
Hi – I found your blog today via @Vidocq_CC. He’s so right – this is a wonderful, insightful blog. I’m looking forward to reading more.
thank you! I will pass on the award soon x
Hi
Thank you so much for this brilliant site. I am the mother of 2 officers in the forces, one in the Army and one in the Navy. Soldier son did Afghan 3 years ago and I cannot describe the chaos he left behind because no one had told him to create a Power of Attorney. In the first month of him being away I lived with the constant dread of the unexpected knock on the door but (thankfully) the only ones I had was from Bailiffs (because he hadn’t sworned his car) and credit cards (because he hadn’t set up automatic payments). Sailor son due to go away and we’re using your excellent template to create a PoA now.
Many thanks
Nell x
PS wrote a blog for every day soldier son was away and it helped keep me sane