I am sure that were The Eye here he would want to pay tribute to those fallen heroes whose bodies have just been returned to the UK. It’s heart-breaking for the families and indeed for all of the rest of us who have such pride and respect for our armed forces, here and abroad. Such a tragic end to young lives.

What angers me, however, is the fact that many of these deaths need not have happened had this miserable excuse for a government provided the numbers of military on the ground and the right equipment for our men and women in uniform. We have a government which puts welfare above warfare when it comes to how cash is allocated and the result is millions of spongers claiming social benefits even as our military lack the helicopters, and personnel to get on with the job in Afghanistan.

To all those who read this blog who may have family serving in the forces, my prayers are with you for their safe return.