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BRAVE ROYAL MARINE FROM BEVERLEY, EAST YORKSHIRE, IN AFGHANISTAN FIGHT WITH TALIBAN
A brave Royal Marine from Beverley has been involved in a fierce fire fight with the Taliban in an alleyway in Afghanistan.
Marine Shaun Milburn and his comrades were ambushed by insurgents in Sangin as they returned from a supply mission.
Despite seeing and hearing bullets whizz past him, Marine Milburn immediately returned fire to allow his team to get through the alley safely.
The former Longcroft School & Performing Arts College student said: "The rounds of fire were coming in and they were quite close - I quickly got down onto my belt buckle to avoid being hit.
"They were firing down the alley - seconds passed and we organised ourselves and started to peel back, just like we are taught in training.
"As we passed another opening, the incoming fire continued. I got into a fire position by the entrance to the patrol base, waiting to ensure that everyone got back in.
"This meant that I was the last man back into the safety of the patrol base. Moments later there was a big thud - I glanced back and saw a massive hole in the wall a few feet from where I'd been standing.
"It was a strange experience - I felt a weird buzz. It was the adrenaline pumping through me."
The incident happened last month as Marine Milburn and his comrades from 40 Commando Royal returned from their mission.
They had just dropped off a supply of fresh meat and water to fellow troops and were entering an alleyway close to their base when the insurgents, who were lying in wait, opened fire.
Marine Milburn said that despite the gravity of the situation, his training immediately kicked-in.
He said: "We have to keep calm and focus. Out on the ground you are always thinking about what your next move would be if you come under fire, but when it actually happened the training all just kicked in and it was all flowing.
"In the end everyone returned to the base uninjured which is the main point."
Marine Milburn was born in Middlesbrough and joined the Royal Marines as a 16-year-old. His father, a Sergeant Major, served with the Green Jackets for 22 years and was Marine Milburn's inspiration to join the military.
Marine Milburn said: "Being in the Marines is awesome, I love it. There's good camaraderie.
"I've got good friends back at home, but these are the best mates I'll ever have."
Marine Milburn is four months into a six month tour of Afghanistan. He is looking forward to taking his girlfriend, Amy, on holiday when he returns.
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Weather for Beverley
Thursday 17 May 2012
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