FROM the familiar surroundings of Penybontfawr near Oswestry, the stark realities of life on the frontline in Afghanistan can seem like a million miles away.
But for one young woman living in the village, those realities were very much a part of her everyday life as she was thrust into action for almost six months, living and working in one of the country's most infamous war zones.
Twenty-two-year-old Charlotte Angharad Butler, of the 5 Medical Regiment, was posted to Helmand Province in June last year, leaving her home in Wales to serve with the British Army.
Charlotte served in support of The Rifles, 4th Battalion, as a Combat Medical Technician, and was given a rare, but prestigious award for her services on the frontline, after saving the life of a Captain who had lost both legs in an explosion.
With only around 20 of the specially engraved coins so far having been merited, the moment was an emotional one for Charlotte who received the distinction in the field surrounded by her colleagues.
Upon her return to the UK, Charlotte also joined the regiment in Bulford, Salisbury, to receive her service medal from the Duchess of Cornwall just before Christmas.
"There was a parade at the ceremony in Bulford when we received our medals, and the Lieutenant-General, Sir Nick Parker, was there to congratulate us as well," she said.
"A minibus full of my family headed down for the medal giving so I was really proud to have them all there on the day.
"But when I received the special coin in Afghanistan from the Chief Surgeon at Camp Bastion I was really nervous. I was asked to go and see him and at first I thought that I might have done something wrong.
"When I got there all my friends were there to congratulate me and it was a pretty emotional moment. I was told that if I hadn't acted as I did he would probably have died."
Charlotte spent the majority of her time serving from platoon bases away from Camp Bastion, and near to the frontline, this being her second posting in the field in her four years of service, having previously spent time in Iraq.
"I was going out by myself with a team of soldiers on frontline patrols and when anyone got wounded I had to treat them there and then, before calling for one of the Chinook helicopters to take them back to Camp Bastion. There was no doctor to work with, although you can get one to you if you request help.
Shot at
"We all look after each other as best as we can and it's very important to keep morale high as well, but it brings it all home when you are being shot at whilst you are running across the ground," she added.
As well as risking her life dodging bullets to treat her wounded colleagues, Charlotte was also blown up three times as a passenger in the Mastiff patrol vehicles.
The mark II Mastiff's are heavily armoured 6x6 wheel drive vehicles which were only introduced in June last year, and are designed to carry eight people as well as its two crew members. And Charlotte readily admits that she owes her life to the newest in a range of patrol vehicles now being used for operations.
"They are a great tool to have in the field," she continued. "They are well armoured underneath and have bar armour on the side to protect you from rockets, so they are built to save lives."
Since returning home, Charlotte admits that it has been difficult to readjust, finding that people find it difficult to relate to her experiences. But she has received calls from her Sergeant Major to ask her how she is coping as she returns to life away from the battlefield.
Now Charlotte will be away from her frontline duties for at least 18 months as the army tries not to over use its personnel in the field, and whilst her family are grateful to welcome her back home, Charlotte's thoughts remain firmly with those still on active service as she continues with her duties away from the field.
"I feel really sorry for those still out there. You hear all the horrendous news coming through about people being killed or wounded and it can be difficult to take as you worry about the people that you know," she added.