A FORMER Boswells High School pupil is on his second tour of Afghanistan.

Lance Corp Bradley Marlow, 21, of Chelmsford, is based in the Helmand Province.

Mr Marlow last saw the province of Nad-e Ali in 2009, when he first deployed with 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment, known as the Vikings.

He said: “Last time seemed more about removing the insurgent. This is transition and it is really taking shape.”

Mr Marlow proposed to his girlfriend in March, just before the Battalion left. He calls her as often as possible, but said he much prefers her hand written letters.

He said: “She really keeps my morale up.”

Mr Marlow is based in a Forward Operating Base, known as Shawqat, which is built around the ruins of an 19th century fort, used by the British Army in the second Anglo-Afghan war.

He said the facilities have greatly improved, with showers, a gym, a canteen, and even a small education centre.

Mr Marlow said: “The difference is amazing and I am really glad to have seen such a change and been a part of it.”