Tamworth RSL sub-branch ready to offer support to Afghanistan veterans despite lockdown

Alex Sadler-Purkiss, who spent time as a driver in Orizgan in 2011 and was an armoured vehicle commander in Kabul in 2014, said camaraderie can often be key.

The Tamworth veteran has spoken out about the feelings brought on by the new developments, and what can help returned servicemen and women through these tough times.

"It is quite hard but we were there to help and protect our mates," he said.

"We may need support but to connect with other veterans is a very big thing."

The RSL sub-branch is often a place that veterans turn to, and this remains the case despite the COVID lockdown.

Tamworth sub-branch president Jayne McCarthy told the Leader while the organisation does not run any onsite services locally, it can still get veterans into contact with the right support networks.

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She said it could be particularly important to connect them with those services this week, and noted the statement made by RSL Australia president Greg Melick.

"It is disappointing to see the hard-earned Coalition achievements in Afghanistan now being taken back by the Taliban, and the RSL stands by the dedicated work of all our serving and ex-serving veterans from Middle East operations," he said.

"Many who served in these theatres will be feeling the frustration and disappointment deeply and we need to understand and appreciate the impact on our veterans of those operations.

"The RSL is here to support our veterans and we are asking all members and indeed the people of Australia, to consider the feelings of those who served in Afghanistan and other areas of the Middle East and provide whatever support they can."

While external support and services can be beneficial, Mr Sadler-Purkiss said in the end veterans often have to rely on each other.

"No one knows the things we went through other than other veterans regardless of conflict, and that support network is very important."

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