THE justification for waging war in Afghanistan – the 9/11 assault on the World Trade Center in New York – appeared to many to be a sound one.

But over the years, additional aims were added to the mission, including halting the opium trade, and creating a democratic state.

Thousands of troops have been sent to the region since 2001, with 453 British fatalities, and many more who suffered life-changing injuries.

Some of the soldiers who died were from Oxfordshire and, not surprisingly, their relatives have questioned precisely what has been achieved over the years.

While relatives are proud of the efforts of the Armed Forces, they remain unconvinced that the death of their loved ones was justified.

As families pose questions about what Nato forces can claim to have achieved, the post- mortem examination on the mission will continue, with Afghan security forces now left with the responsibility of containing the Taliban. The war has cost billions of pounds, and the investment from our Government will continue until at least 2017, with the development of the Afghan National Security Force.

As people gather next month to pay their respects to those who died in the two world wars, those who lost their lives after braving Helmand Province must also be remembered.

As Britain faces a new enemy, Isis, on another front, commanders will reflect on what was achieved and what went wrong in Afghanistan.

But the sacrifice paid by soldiers from Oxfordshire, and their families, must never be forgotten.