Dustman soldier collects plaudits
Alex Gore • Published 25 Jun 2010 15:53
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PROUDLY wearing his Territorial Army fatigues, dustman Stuart White completed his collections today (Friday).
Watching the 29-year-old Lance Corporal, who served in Helmand Province with 7 Rifles in 2006, going about his day job was a poignant reminder of how conflicts thousands of miles away have touched communities across Britain.
Few people know this better than Stuart's boss, Chris Green, from Spencers Wood, whose 23-year-old son, Rifleman Richard Green, was killed while serving with 3 Rifles in Afghanistan in March.
LCpl White, one of hundreds of reserves taking part in Uniform To Work Day, said: "Hopefully it makes people aware. Even if just 10 people stop and ask what we are doing, that's an achievement."
Mr Green, waste operations manager for Reading borough, said he believes public support for the Armed Forces has grown considerably in the past year, and added: "I think as a nation it was as if we were ashamed. But that is changing."
As the former Maiden Erlegh pupil made his way along his west Reading collection route, which included All Saints Infant School, Dunedin Hospital and Abbeyfield House care home, intrigued residents came out to greet him.
Susan Tyler, from Little Road, said: "Our soldiers are part of our communities and people need to give them their absolute support",
For the full story, see Thursday's Chronicle.
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