A former Wallington schoolboy is helping save the lives of soldiers and Royal Marines in Afghanistan.

Leading medical assistant Chris Richardson has been placed on a six-month tour of duty to Helmand, Afghanistan, as part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

The 26-year-old, a former pupil at Wilson’s School, is involved in the day-to-day healthcare of the Royal Marines, including treating of minor ailments and providing first aid training to the soldiers.

The temperature in Helmand often reaches 50C during the summer months, causing heat exhaustion – one of the biggest problems for the Royal Marines, who carry out two or three patrols a day.

LMA Richardson said: “I have to keep reminding everyone to drink plenty of water and make sure they have plenty of sun cream on – we’ve had a few cases of people going down with heatstroke because they haven’t had enough to drink or have got sunburnt.”

LMA Richardson is based at the Royal Marines barracks Chivenor in Barnstaple, home to the Commando Logistic Regiment to which the medics are attached.

The Navy medic has been to various deployments in previous years including Norway and America and he previously visited Afghanistan in 2008.

LMA Richardson said: “The job satisfaction from looking after the blokes is definitely the best part of the job, and you always feel appreciated for keeping them in good working order.

“If people get ill, they can be out for a few days and that has a big effect on the rest of the section who then have to make up for that person’s job.”