A MOTHER whose son will spend Christmas fighting in Afghanistan and a retired soldier who spent a Christmas under fire in the Second World War, are among the latest people to send their personal messages to troops serving overseas this festive season.

The Oxford Mail has recorded and received dozens of goodwill messages from people across the county in tribute to servicemen and women in Afghanistan – spending Christmas and New Year away from their families.

On Tuesday it was the turn of shoppers and passers-by at Tesco, in Didcot, to offer their personal thoughts.

Store worker Sharon Clift, 43, and her colleague Jan Blackburn, 46, sent a message to her 21-year-old son Mark.

Senior Aircraftman Mark Clift, of the Tactical Support Wing, was dispatched to Afghanistan for the first time just two weeks ago and will spend Christmas and New Year in the war zone.

She said: “My son is out there and I’d like to wish him a very happy Christmas and a happy New Year.

“His family miss him and love him very, very much.”

Some of those who wanted to wish the troops festive luck had themselves spent a Christmas fighting abroad.

Retired Army Sergeant Albert Pell, 81, from Didcot, served in Egypt and Iran with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He said: “I know what conditions they are serving under. All I would say is look out for where you are walking and under no circumstances ever give in.

“I wish them all the luck in the world and Merry Christmas.”

Ex-Army Major and Second World War veteran Ken Cooper, 88, from Wallingford, served alongside the Gurkhas in Burma and India.

He said: “I think about the lads out there a lot, and I hope they have a few hours to themselves for Christmas, and come back safely. We are very proud of them.”

Tesco store manager John Barrett said: “I want them to know we all thinking about them and that they are doing a fantastic job – and I hope they come back safely soon.”

Michelle Hunt, 40, from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, said: “I had a friend out in Afghanistan serving in the forces and although he has now come back, I want to wish all of them a happy Christmas and New Year.

“I want to tell them they are doing a good job.”

The Oxford Mail also collected dozens of messages from shoppers at Tesco, in Marcham Road, Abingdon, last Tuesday, Somerfield, in High Street, Witney, on Saturday, and Sainsbury’s, in Heyford Hill, Oxford, yesterday.

To view the public’s messages, visit oxfordmail.co.uk/media/video