A ROYAL Marine who cheated death fighting the Taliban said British troops time in Afghanistan was not in vain - despite so many ultimate sacrifices.

Liam Brentley, 29, who was shot in the head by an insurgent on his first tour of Afghanistan in 2010, said this week's withdrawal of soldiers and airmen after 13 years was a proud but poignant moment for him.

The father-of-five, of Idle, who was left deaf in one ear and with a brain injury affecting his memory, said although there were people who thought the campaign had not been worthwhile - in his mind it had been worth all the effort and tragic loss.

Marine Brentley, who is still undergoing rehabilitation and is due to be discharged from the Army next year to concentrate on a sporting future, said: "I'm proud of what we have achieved, it has not been a waste. A lot of sacrifices were made and many of my friends were among them but they have not been in vain.

"Those of us who were out there stuck to our duties - I just want people to know there has been progress, we have done all we can to leave it a more stable and safe place for the Afghan people. Help will still be there for them we're not just upping sticks and deserting them."

He added: "What's so massive in my eyes is the legacy we have left for the children. I'm a father of five and it's the children that we have left most hope for by giving them a chance of a better future and education - especially the girls."

Marine Brentley, who competed at the Invictus Games in London last month in archery, has also started a rugby coaching course and hopes to help out with Dudley Hill, a club he played for before he was shot in Afghanistan. His son Joey, six, plays with the under sevens.

At the peak of the Afghan conflict, there were 10,000 British personnel in Helmand, together with 20,000 US Marines, Danes, Estonians and other nationalities at 180 bases and checkpoints.

Elaine Bell, the mother of heroic Bradford paratrooper Martin Bell, 24, of Idle, who died four years ago serving his country, said it was "heartbreaking" watching other people's sons and loved ones coming home but she just hoped the good work achieved in Afghanistan would continue.

"It was heartbreaking watching them walk on to a plane when Martin was carried on to one but foremost in my mind is the difference that has been made out there - I hope it continues.

"Those who came home with horrendous injuries and lost limbs are living testament to what happened out there - the legacy is bitter sweet, sweet for the brighter future left behind for the children and their schooling but bitter for those who have not come home or will have to live the rest of their lives with their injuries."

In May 2009, Sapper Jordan Rossi, 22, of Baildon, became the first soldier from the district to lose his life there when he was killed in a roadside blast while on a mine-clearing patrol near Sangin, Helmand Province.

Wendy Rayner, of Odsal, was widowed when her husband Sergeant Peter Rayner, 34, was killed in Afghanistan in September 2010 and Private Christopher Kershaw, 19, of Idle, was the youngest Bradford soldier to die in Afghanistan when he and five other soldiers were killed when their armoured vehicle was blown up in March 2012.