A courageous fianceé who is battling her own fears on the home front has told how her husband-to-be and fellow soldiers have been boosted by a campaign to support them in war-torn Afghanistan.

Rachel Henstock (27), of Glapwell, had to brace herself like many loved ones after partner Allan Briggs, of the Infantry Battalion 2 Mercian, Worcesters and Foresters, set out this spring to the Middle East on a six-month tour of duty.But the tearful Derbyshire Times’ sales assistant, who has an 18-month-old son Kaiden, has been comforted to see Allan’s battalion launch the Support the Mercians fund-raising and wrist-band awareness appeal.

She said: “This is a brilliant way for everyone to let Allan and the lads know we’re thinking about them and people can wear the wrist-bands with pride knowing they are supporting so many brave young men.

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