"Fighting Logistics through"

by David Rowlands

Size 58 x 38 cm

8th May 2004: The daily convoy of vehicles supplying the scattered British outposts in Basra with water, rations and ammunition was nicknamed ‘The Chicken Run’. In 2004, 8 Transport Regiment RLC was reinforced by a composite troop from The Scottish Transport Regiment (Volunteers). On 8th May the water convoy came under sustained attack by insurgents, but fought its way through. Lance Corporal Darren Dickson, one of the top cover sentries, was wounded in the left shoulder but continued to return fire. He was the first soldier in the Royal Logistic Corps to be awarded the Military Cross.

I visited the unit to meet Darren and his comrades, including Sergeant Belli who was driving the Land Rover. Darren, who had been a bus driver in Edinburgh, is a very quiet, unassuming young man.