Message received from Capt KC Mackay in Basra by Bill Fernie a few minutes ago - - -

On behalf of the Lads from SF Platoon Wick I would like to thank you for taking the time and effort to support us out here in Basra.

We have all marvelled at the support shown through the Caithness.org pages and often click on to see what has been posted.

Everybody is still in good spirits. We are all still at the settling in period and our operational tasking leaves little time to ourselves.

At the moment the weather is about 18 -20 Celsius through the day and
about 3-8 Celsius at night but seems a lot colder. We are 3 hours in front of you. So when it is 3pm its 12am with you at home. It gets Dark here about 5pm and daylight is about 7 am our time. The weather for the first time since we arrived it rained. It is winter and we can expect even 3-5 days of consistent rain we have been told.

Our Platoon is the envy in Alamien Company due to the support the people of Caithness has shown, the other Cap Badges have not been so lucky.

A Special thank you, must be given to our own Lord Lt Anne Dunnett who took an early Interest in our training and welfare and actively supported us.
And who has sent us Parcels of gifts and written to each one of us individually.

I would also like to thank the following:

Thurso British Legion
North of Scotland Newspapers
D.R. Simpsons
Hillhead Christian Fellowship
The Salvation Army (Wick Corp)
To name but a few

Also the Biggest Thank You goes to our Wife's and loved ones who we have left behind.

We will be home as soon as we can.

Yours Aye

Capt KC Mackay