News Family devastated over soldier's returned parcel
A Swinefleet family was left devastated earlier this week after learning that a parcel they had attempted to send to their soldier son in Afghanistan had been returned because it was less than one gramme overweight.
Danny Smith (20) is a member of the Coldstream Guards, attached to 40 Royal Marine Commandos, and has been serving on the front line in the Helmand province of Afghanistan since early October.
During this time, Danny's family have attempted to send him a number of letters and parcels, as parcels weighing up to two kilogrammes can be sent to the forces free of charge.
But Danny's father Darren told the Goole Times this week that only one letter had been delivered, and the family were upset further this week when they found that a parcel they had attempted to post four weeks ago had been returned because it was 0.192 grammes overweight.
Darren Smith said: "We received a handwritten letter from the post office on Tuesday morning, telling us that the parcel was overweight and it was waiting to be collected from Old Goole Post Office.
"I think it is disgusting that someone, a job'sworth, has decided not to send this out to Afghanistan. When I went to post it, it was weighed and accepted, but I don't think that the parcel has ever left Goole.
"I wrote a letter to the Goole Times, informing people that they could send parcels out to our men in the forces free of charge, and then this happens.
"Since Danny has been in Afghanistan, we have sent quite a few things, and he has received only one letter."
In his letter to the Goole Times Mr Smith said: "Whilst our postal staff strike for the right to go home early and still get paid, our troops are expected to work 24 hours a day or until the job's done; a fire-fight does not stop because it's clocking off time!
"Until December 7, 2007 you can send a parcel weighing up to 2kg or 4.4lbs to either Afghanistan or Iraq FREE OF CHARGE. You can also get free of charge from any Post Office at any time, British Forces aerogrammes to write letters.
"The addresses are: for Afghanistan - British Forces Freepost, A British Soldier, Operation Herrick, Afghanistan, BFPO 792; or, for Iraq: - British Forces Freepost, A British Soldier, Operation Telic, Iraq, BFP0 (number can be obtained by ringing 0845 7697978).
"I cannot guarantee you will get a reply - they may be busy or unable to write - however I can guarantee that your gift or letters will be appreciated.
"So come on, teachers, organise something with your classes; mums and dads, get your children involved; businesses, show you care and let's prove to these brave men and women the people of Goole not only remember them but care for them even if our Government does not.
"These are our sons and our daughters - let's not forget them!"
* A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: "All parcels being sent to troops under the free postal service must meet strict weight guidelines which are laid down by British Forces Post Office. Parcels must weigh no more than two kilograms and can only be sent to specific designated PO box numbers.
"Unfortunately, due to human error, this parcel was accepted when it was over the allowed weight. As soon as the subpostmaster realised the mistake, they contacted the customer. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused."
Published on 8th November 2007 in News.
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Comments
Posted by Ron & Liz Cartwright at 18:01:20 on 19 November 2007
We are currently sending \"Shoe Boxes\" to the \"Coldstream Guards & 40 Commando\" in Afghanistan. Coincidentally one of our boxes was handed to Danny Smith. He was our very first thank you reply. One of our sons is a Coldstream Guard serving in Helmand Province in a different area to Danny. So we are sending Shoe Boxes with the help of our local newspaper the \"Felixstowe Evening Star\" & all the generous people in this area. We intend to continue to send them untill our son Matt comes home in APRIL2008. Thanks to DANNY for his reply.
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