Hainault dad heading to war zone to photograph soldiers during tour of Afghanistan
A dad-of-two is preparing to join British soldiers in one of the most volatile and dangerous countries in the world to document their lives on the battlefield.
Daniel Bouskila, 31, of Hind Close, Hainault, will join the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Afghanistan next year to capture through photos their high-risk assignment.
This month he will begin his training in Norfolk, together with the Fusiliers, following them as they prepare to fly out to a country scarred by a decade of war.
He and photographer friend Paul Smorthit have been given permission by the Ministry of Defence to shadow the men and women as they then head to Qatar and on to Kabul, Afghanistan, in March.
Daniel said: “I want to build a story of how people bond and build camaraderie.
You may also want to watch:
“I want to capture the stories and how different situations are dealt with.”
And for Daniel, the Fusiliers have a special place in his heart, describing them as a regiment he has a “lot of love” for.
Most Read
- 1 Mercato Ilford 'delayed again' as council pushes for Christmas opening
- 2 Revealed: The most popular baby names in your area in 2020
- 3 'Not acceptable': Residents mount opposition to plumbers' building plan
- 4 Road and rail round-up: Disruptions to travel in east London this week
- 5 Young Citizen nominee: Esha, 4, who inspired thousands to join bone marrow donor list
- 6 Jailed: Men who laundered £25m from cash and carry warehouses
- 7 Two more police 'enforcement hubs' to open in Redbridge
- 8 Cross-party group demands mayor reject Tesco Goodmayes development
- 9 The most expensive houses sold in your east London borough in August
- 10 Police warn of 'violence, urination' as takeaway applies for late licence
His brother, Adam, served in the regiment, as did his brother-in-law, Andy Chappell and cousin, Steve Forest,
“It goes through my bloodline,” said Daniel.
“I want to show people what they do and show how they serve our country.”
He added: “The army is a great education for some people, especially guys. When you leave school, you’ve not got a real direction.
“It’s a great thing to do to join the army. You get a structure. You get everything you need there.”
Despite preparing to spend weeks in a country which has claimed the lives of more than 400 British soldiers since the conflict began in 2001, keen mountaineer Daniel, who founded the group Ascent Mountaineering, is not nervous.
He said: “We’ve got some of the best soldiers in the world protecting us, so I’m confident that I’ve got them on my side.”
