Exclusive: Veterans of war in Afghanistan fear their sacrifice will be forgotten

A decade on from the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, a new study has revealed that 92% of UK veterans of the conflict believe their sacrifice will be forgotten.

More than 1,500 veterans who served in Afghanistan took part in the survey, which was presented to MPs in Parliament.

It was organised by a newly formed group called the UK Afghanistan Veterans Community (AVC).

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Ninety per cent of veterans who took part in the survey said more should be done to commemorate the UK contribution.

And 94% of those asked stated that being an Afghanistan veteran was an important part of their identity.

The group hopes that by presenting the findings to politicians they will better understand the needs of the 150,000-strong veteran contingent.

AVC chairman Christine Emmett said: "Veterans of Afghanistan have overwhelmingly indicated that more needs to be done to support them and their unique needs, and that is why we have set up AVC.

"Now we call upon politicians and people across the UK to get behind our new community so that we may learn the lessons of the past, help those who served and not forget their sacrifices."

The research revealed that shared experiences of Afghanistan are deemed more important to individuals than traditional regimental or service affiliations, with 94% agreeing.

Some 85% of respondents said they would want to join a new organisation set up for them, which included a mix of veterans of those already engaged with existing associations to those completely disengaged until now.

The research was undertaken by M&C Saatchi World Services, as part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, across a series of focus groups and a wider veterans survey.

One hundred and fifty thousand UK Armed Forces personnel served over the 20-year campaign in Afghanistan.

Of those, 457 paid the ultimate sacrifice, with many more left living with life-changing injuries.

Although the youngest veterans are around 21 and the oldest in their 70s, most are of working age. 

The AVC group has been set up by Afghanistan veterans to foster connections and provide mutual support.

It says its work seeks to remember everyone's story and the selfless values they demonstrated throughout their service and beyond.