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Guardsman Lee's Christmas greeting from the streets of Belfast

20/12/2001

WHILE his family and friends celebrate Christmas back home in Blackley, Grenadier Guardsman Lee Richards will be helping keep the peace on the streets of Belfast.

18-year-old Lee, a former pupil of South Chadderton High School, joined the Grenadiers less than a year ago.

Commenting on his current role he said: "This is my first experience of an operational tour. It was a bit daunting at first but we have all settled in now and are just getting on with the job, helping the police maintain law and order at various sectarian interfaces in Belfast."

Through the Guardian Lee has sent this Christmas message: "Merry Christmas to my mother and father, fiancee Melanie and the rest of the family. Hope to see you soon."

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards were recently deployed to Northern Ireland on a short operational tour of duty and are working in support of the police service. They are based in Belfast and have been heavily involved in helping the police service quell sectarian tension in the north and west of the city.

Despite being separated from loved ones, morale among the troops will be kept high with a variety of organised events and every soldier on duty in Northern Ireland on Christmas Day will enjoy a traditional lunch with all the trimmings.

This year army chefs expect to use 450 turkeys, 700kg of stuffing, 750 Christmas puddings and 1.5 tonnes of Brussels sprouts, 15,000 mince pies, 450 lbs of mixed nuts, half a ton of satsumas and 10,000 crackers to make a festive feast for soldiers across the Province.