Iraq War 20 years on: Rutland veterans remember "like it was yesterday"

Former and serving members of the armed forces in Rutland and across the globe will remember the Iraq War 'like it was yesterday', according to one Oakham veteran.

Mark Taylor spent nearly three decades serving in the forces, and was stationed in Kuwait as an army chef during Op Telic - the codename for the UK’s military operations during the invasion.

He says he'll never forget his time feeding 15,000 troops a day:

'We had a whole host of supplies not turning up, or literally being blow up on route. You weren't sure if you were going to get rations, so you never knew what the next day held.'

'It was quite scary at the time, I remember going in and out of my chemical warfare suit and it was very real.'

'We were very much a family out there. We were unfortunate to lose a large number of soldiers. We were about 200 strong as chefs, feeding 15,000 people - so it was very real hearing about some of the atrocities some of the troops were involved in.'

Since being back in Rutland as a veteran, Mark set up the Oakham Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club (OAFVBC), to help support other ex-forces members.

The Rutland Veterans Wellbeing Hub was also launched in Autumn last year to provide a mental health support service for veterans.

'Through tragic events - two of my mates who committed suicide - I kept meeting up with veterans during real sombre times. I thought "how can we change this so that we're meeting up with real purpose and intent, but in happier circumstances', Mark said.

'That's why we set up the OAFVBC.'

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