By Gillian Ellison

Last updated at 11:39, Thursday, 20 December 2012

MANY Copeland families will be thinking about loved ones serving in Afghanistan this Christmas time.

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Sapper Ryan Jackson, 20, who serves with the Royal Engineers, will be away from home over Christmas for the first time this year.

His mam, Sammy Moore, of Woodhouse, said: “I miss him like mad, Christmas won’t be the same without him.”

Ryan has been serving since he was 16. He went to Afghanistan in September and will be there until March.

When he returned for a brief visit about a month ago for his rest and recuperation, Ryan got engaged to his girlfriend Natalie-Ann Ball.

Sammy is involved in the Support Our Soldiers campaign, sending out parcels and home comforts to troops.

This year she sent her son a Santa suit as, she says, “he’s a bit of a comedian”.

And the things he misses most from home, says his mam, are takeaways, cousin Stephanie, friends, family, sleeping and food in general!

Meanwhile Mary Parr, of The Highlands, Whitehaven, will be missing her son Chris Taylorson, who is also away for Christmas.

Chris, 29, of The Highland, is a Lance Corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He has been in the Army for 13 years and is currently on his first tour of Afghanistan, having served in Iraq twice.

The father-of-three will be back for his rest and recuperation at New Year and his family miss him like mad.

“You get quite anxious when they are out there,” said Mary. “He rings regularly but you just don’t want them to be out there.”

Parcels have been sent out to Chris from the family, including from children Chelsea, Christopher and Taylor-Lee.

“It’s nice to think he’s got something to open out there at Christmas,” added Mary.

And what does he miss most when he’s away? “Family life and his mam’s Sunday dinner!” she added.

And two Christmas messages have been sent to The Whitehaven News from servicemen currently stationed in Afghanistan.

Drummer Jason Gate, from Whitehaven, said: “I hope everyone back home is good and well and I wish them a merry Christmas and see you when I get home.”

Craftsman Paul Murphy, also from Whitehaven, said: “Merry Christmas to my family, friends and girlfriend Adrienne. Love you and see you all soon.”

• IF you would like to tell us about your loved ones serving in Afghanistan and send us pictures, contact news.wn@whitehaven-news.co.uk, or leave messages below.

First published at 11:34, Thursday, 20 December 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk