Maintaining the huge supply trucks that deliver goods to the British Forces serving in Bosnia is the vital mission for Keighley soldier Lance Corporal Lawrence Devanney.

Lawrence, 28, is a class 1 vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who is serving the workshop of the Royal Logistic Corps Transport Regiment based in the central Bosnian town of Kupres.

From here, a fleet of all-terrain supply trucks and tankers brings food, ammunition, spare parts and fuel to the 5,000 British soldiers who are serving with the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) helping establish a lasting peace in the war-torn country.

Road conditions are still poor after years of neglect, and the trucks are driven long and hard on their supply missions. "Our biggest problem at the moment is the high mileage and the bad state of the road," says Lawrence. "It means that the work load is fast and furious, but there is plenty to keep us going - it makes the tour go quicker.

"Bosnia itself is a nice country. It's just a shame that they have destroyed it."

Lawrence and his wife Kim, who lives in army quarters in Gutersloh, Germany, where his unit is normally based, have two children. Lawrence attended Greenhead Grammar School and Keighley College and joined the army in 1989. His tour ends next month.

Do you have friends or family serving in the forces? If so, we would like to hear from you so we can tell readers what they are doing? Contact news editor Alistair Shand on 01535 606611.

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