'What was it all for?' Veterans and bereaved families respond to Afghanistan crisis

Afghanistan has been overrun by Taliban fighters and the country’s government collapsed within days of the withdrawal of US forces.

A scramble is under way at Kabul Airport to evacuate nationals from Western countries and Afghans who helped them, amid fears of reprisals from the Taliban.

In the wake of the news, veterans and the families of soldiers lost in the conflict have spoken out about being left asking "what was it all for?"

Peter McFerran, from Connah's Quay, was killed in an insurgency rocket attack in Basra in 2007, aged 24.

Ann McFerran, of Connah's Quay, whose son Peter was was killed in an insurgency rocket attack in Basra in 2007 says she understands the sentiment.

She said at the time she was concerned with what was happening in Iraq where 24-year-old Peter was stationed rather than the situation in Afghanistan.

But in the years she has had contact with families who had lost people in Afghanistan.

She said: "All I can say is that it feels like such a terrible waste of lives."

Adding that more than 450 British forces personnel died in Afghanistan, she added: "It was a complete waste."

Meanwhile, seriously injured veteran Ben Parkinson and his family say the Taliban advances in Afghanistan have left them asking “what on earth was it all for” and hoping no more British soldiers are harmed.

Mr Parkinson suffered horrendous injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, and is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan.

The former paratrooper said he feared for the Afghan people and urged the British Government to allow all interpreters and others who helped the British military to enter the UK.

He told the PA news agency he now feared a “bloodbath”.

“I’m still alive, though,” he said. “For the people who lost their sons, it really is such a shame.”

The former lance bombardier said he was very concerned for the interpreters who have been refused permission to come to Britain.

Speaking at his home in Doncaster, he said: “The Taliban are threatening their lives. They need to be taken to safety

“They helped us so what’s the point of leaving them to die now?

“We needed their help. They deserve to get to safety now because they are in danger now.

“It’s not just the interpreters. It’s a lot of people.”

But the mother of a Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan has said her son “did not die in vain” as he helped make the country a better place before the return of the Taliban.

Corporal Danny Winter, 28, was killed along with Captain Tom Sawyer, 26, of the Royal Artillery, in Gereshk, central Helmand, on January 14 2009.

Cpl Winter’s mother, Carolyn Hughes, wrote on his Facebook memorial page: “Danny and all the armed forces of the country’s involved made a huge difference to a wild, war torn country.

“Because of them, terrorist attacks on our country was avoided and countless lives were saved.

“The women of Afghanistan were safe to walk the street and get an education, something that had always previously been denied.

“People were happy and felt safe.”

Mrs Hughes, from Marple, near Stockport, Greater Manchester, continued: “I am extremely proud that my son played a small part in achieving this.

“His loss devastated me, the grief I have will stay with me until I take my last breath.

“There is no way to describe the utter pain of child loss.

“My son like all our men and women who lost their life in Afghanistan died heroes.

“The country mourned as our flagged coffins were flown home to devastated families and our men and women’s names will be remembered forever.

“My son did not die in vain and my pride for him is etched on my heart forever.”

Her son, from Manchester, and Capt Sawyer were killed in a “friendly fire” incident while helping Danish forces and the Afghan National Army clear a compound of terrorists in a Taliban stronghold.