SPARE a thought for the brave men and women from 202 Field Hospital, based in Abingdon, who are off to Afghanistan, There, they will be working in the war-torn south of the country in a field hospital at Camp Bastion dealing with whatever comes their way.

Let us not forget these people are volunteers, giving up their spare time to work alongside the regular army.

For some it is their second tour of duty, having been out to Iraq in 2003. For others, it is their maiden trip overseas. For them, it will be a baptism of fire.

While there is no doubting their professionalism and aptitude, nothing can surely prepare for the horrors of war. Those who bade an emotional farewell to family yesterday are a credit to Oxfordshire and the country.