THE human cost of the war in Afghanistan is brought home to this part of the world every time a fallen serviceman or woman is repatriated through RAF Lyneham.

But while we focus on the moving sight of coffins being carried slowly through Wootton Bassett how many of us spare a thought for the wounded?

Ironically it is often the families of the dead who remember them.

With each fatality, especially where improvised explosive devices are used, the chances are that others have been injured. But we are not told.

Capt John Arkell is one of those invisible statistics. He was lucky. His friend and his interpreter were killed in the same explosion that sent him home with serious injuries.

For some the injuries will be what is euphemistically called “life changing.” Amputations, paralysis or blindness tend to have that effect. And then there are those who suffer mental injuries.

It is time we were given the full picture.

But even though they face such appalling risks it is apparent that the people actually fighting the war for us accept them and believe in what they are doing.

If anyone questions why, they can point to the schools and medical services that have been opened up. Things that we take for granted but which were destroyed by the Taliban.

While the politicians and commentators argue loudly about the rights and wrongs of the war, and whether our troops are properly equipped, the military does its best to get on with the job with what tools it is given.