Open Writing

Paul Wells was ragged at school for being a 'mummy's boy'. His father had died in a serious accident at the steelworks in Sheffield when Paul was only seven. He and Susan, his mother, were inseparable after that. Their close bond went beyond a mother and son relationship as each grieved for an adored father.

By the time he was sixteen, Paul was 5ft 10in and 12 stone. The ragging had stopped long since, needless to say. With two O-levels, Cups for swimming and first team places in the school football and cricket teams, it was time for him to find work.

Paul's mother got him his first job in the electrical contractors business where she worked as a secretary. He did well at interview and was offered an apprenticeship there and then. But six months later, much to everyone's disappointment, the business slid into the sea. Fred Cummings, the boss, laid off half the men on a last in first out basis which included Paul. Susan fortunately kept her own job.

As fate would have it, there was a full scale Army Recruitment drive down at the Job Centre in Wakefield when Paul went to sign on.

He was attracted to the displays and superb action photographs of soldiers in action all over the world. A career in the Royal Engineers Regiment portrayed the life of a sapper as both rewarding and exciting. Paul had enjoyed his short time as an apprentice in the electrical business and decided to ask about the training on offer.

What qualifications would he need to get in the Army, if his mum Susan was prepared to see him go? There were scant few opportunities at the Job Centre for sure.

The recruiting officer, a sergeant actually, resplendent in the Royal Engineers scarlet dress uniform, approached Paul first, sensing his interest.

"I've just been made redundant as an apprentice electrical engineer; a contractors actually. I'm bitterly disappointed. I'd like to know what training the army would give me?"

"Call me Jim," the sergeant said. "And what's your name young man."

"I'm Paul; like I say it's the training I really need."

"All Royal Engineers soldiers are given a specialist trade skill as well as being a trained combat engineer. There are 18 different trades on offer, all with civvy street qualifications. You'll also be taught to drive, possibly including a Large Goods Vehicle and trailer licence. You've got a good physique Paul, you could go on to one of the specialist areas such as; Diving, Commando, Paratrooper, Bomb Disposal and so on."

**

Paul Wells eventually passed fit for duty as a Royal Engineers Commando and a member of 412 Troop. He was nineteen and the youngest Sapper to pass out from his troop.

On completion of training, he joined the 9th B D Company based in Carver Barracks, Essex. Paul was involved in a number of high tempo and demanding technical exercises, including 12 weeks amphibious exercises in the United States. He also enjoyed wider activities such as mountain training. Paul successfully completed the full pre-deployment training package for operations in Afghanistan and also the long-range rifle course. He turned out to be a brilliant marksman and a much admired soldier.

During the morning of 20 June 2010, BD Company were conducting a cordon and search operation, alongside the Afghan Security Forces, looking for compounds associated with the potential for improvised bomb making. The area was the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province.

Paul's Company landed in a helicopter and made a sweep towards the compounds that looked to be of special interest. Shortly afterwards, Sapper Paul Wells was killed by the blast from an improvised bomb.

When Susan Wells answered her door to the young Royal Engineers officer, she knew what the message would be.

'Her darling Paul was gone.'

The many gracious tributes to Paul from grateful soldier colleagues and respectful officers would come later.