In The Thick Of It

A RIFLEMAN spent just one week with his newborn son before jetting off to serve in one of the toughest frontline jobs in the military.
Menon Bhopalsingh, 40, has been working with an intelligence cell providing up to date information on the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan.
The dad-of-two, whose youngest son Arun is now three months old, has been conducting offensive operations in the north of the Helmand Province.
The London Territorial Army soldier, who works as a Noise Enforcement Officer in Lambeth, has also provided protection to medical teams deployed by helicopter to rescue injured soldiers.
“I have seen some quite horrendous sights,” he said.
“The infantry is one of the toughest jobs in the army, but the most rewarding.
“I am excited to be helping the Afghans in the fight against the Taliban.”
“Bhops”, as his mates call him, left Edmonton, north London, in October for a six month tour fighting the Taliban.
This is Menon's second operational tour, having previously served in Iraq.
During his time in the TA, he has trained in Germany, France, Macedonia and Cyprus.
Lt Jon Dolphin, unit press officer for Salonika Company made up of soldiers from London and the Home Counties, including Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham, said: “In Afghanistan, the soldiers from his unit do not have days off.
“When they’re not on duty, they either train or sleep. When deployed on the ground even sleep becomes a luxury for the infantry soldier.”
Menon sent his love to his partner Katerina, his parents and his children, Tia, three, and Arun, three months.