After 13 years, Britain’s war in Afghanistan is at a close. On Sunday, the Union Flag was lowered at Camp Bastion and the base was left to the Afghans as the remaining British soldiers returned home. After the end of combat operations, and the loss of 453 troops who died in the war, was the sacrifice really worth it?

A MOTHER says her soldier son who died when his gun position came under attack would have been “proud” of Britain’s achievements in Afghanistan.

Helen Lewis, 58, of Rectory Avenue, Rochford, admits her family will never get over the loss of her son, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, of 29 Commando Royal Artillery, but is proud that his legacy will live on.

Aaron, from Rochford, was killed aged just 26 when his gun position came under attack near Gereshk in 2008 on what was his first operational deployment.

Since his death, a charitable foundation has been set up in his name to support local and military charities through sporting and social events and he also has a road named after him on the Clements Gate housing estate in Hawkwell.

Helen said: “Personally, as a mother, nothing is worth losing my beloved son for.

“If I could give you my son and you could save a million lives, it would still not be worth it. But I know that Aaron would be very proud that more than one million children in Afghanistan, many of whom are girls, are now getting an education because of what he and others have done.

“He was very passionate about people having the right to an education because that gives children a chance.

“There is also a form of democracy in the country now, which there wasn’t before, and a young generation who have grown up without Taliban dictators, so hopefully they can sustain it without our troops there.”

Fundraising in Aaron’s name has been a major positive for the family and each year his former rugby team, Westcliff Rugby Club, host his foundation’s flagship fundraising event, the Aaron Lewis Rugby 10s.

In the past week, the foundation has secured funding for a British paratrooper who was paralysed in a road accident while serving.

The foundation brought together numerous charities, including Help for Heroes and the Parachute Regiment Charity, in order to afford the high-tech wheelchair he needs, and they will have it by Christmas.

David Wilson Homes also named the street in Hawkwell after Aaron as a lasting tribute in March.

Helen said it was the charity work that kept her going, adding: “The conflict is now over, but for our family this nightmare will never be over.

“The loss of Aaron has left an enormous void in our family that can never be filled.

“It’s like life before 2008 was one life and this is another one where we just have to get through each day as best as we possibly can.

“We are heavily involved in the foundation and I suppose that helps us get through – seeing the changes that it can, and has, made to people’s lives helps.

“We are incredibly proud of Aaron and it helps us knowing how proud he would be of what is being done in his name.”

Formore information about the foundation, visit aaronlewis foundation.org.uk Our troops have made us safer A FORMER Army leader says the fight in Afghanistan was worth it and the country should be proud of its troops.

Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of the British Forces in Afghanistan, said: “Yes, our fight in Afghanistan was worth it. 9/11, launched from Afghanistan, was the worst terrorist attack in history and killed more British people than any other.

“Our soldiers fought valiantly to prevent the country from again becoming a base for international jihadists to attack the West. It is rarely mentioned for reasons of political correctness, but they killed many thousands of vicious fighters intent on bringing down the government in Kabul and oppressing, murdering and torturing Afghan civilians.

“Many would have gone on to plan attacks against the west, and the head of MI5made it clear that civilians in Britain are safer because of the actions of our troops in Afghanistan. They achieved their mission and we should be extremely proud of the ferocious fighting spirit and enormous courage they consistently showed over 13 years.

“Western governments must continue to support the Afghan forces who are incapable of fighting the insurgency alone.”

He gave his life to serve his country THE father of a hero soldier said his son fought for “Queen and country,” but he was sad at the hundreds of servicemen and women who died in the conflict.

Lance Corporal Nicky Mason, a paratrooper from Aveley, was one of 453 soldiers who died while fighting in the region.

The 26-year-old was killed in an explosion during an operation in Kajaki on September 13, 2008.

Dennis Mason, 61, Nicky’s father, who lives in Aveley, said it was difficult to say how successful the war had been, but he would always stand by his son’s decision to go out there.

He said: “Nicky was a soldier.

Hewas told where to go, whether we agreed or not.

I’m so upset for all those who died, all 453 of them.

“I maintain Nicky didn’t give his life for nothing – he was out there for Queen and country.

“I stand by what he did and what he believed in.

They must have achieved something, there must be some gain from it all.”

Dennis said the day he heard about Nicky was the worst of his life, but since then he had worked tirelessly to raise funds and keep Nicky’s name alive through the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Memorial Fund.

He added: “It’s never been the same. My life changed straight away – it’s been a nightmare.

“But Nicky was doing what he had always wanted to do and I stuck by him.

“I now run the charity to keep his name alive – all the soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan deserve something like that.”

Just a couple of weeks ago, Dennis responded to calls from Graham James Primary School in Stanfordle- Hope for help in replacing tools stolen from their shed.

Dennis offered £100.

He has contributed funds to various other local causes, as well as to serving paratroopers.

Formore information or to support the memorial fund, visit the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Facebook page.