We have all become familiar with seeing images of Afghanistan on the news, and hearing about the country's bloodshed and suffering. But on Sunday, January 6, S4c viewers will see the war-torn country in a new light.

In an exclusive programme, former commando Owen Davis, originally from Alltwen, charts his return to the Afghanistan.

Davis, who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his bravery while on tour in Afghanistan, spent almost a year in the Helmand district.

As part of his role in the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit where he was a liaison between the soldiers and the locals, the 26-year-old immersed himself in the local culture and learnt the local languages Pashto, the main language in Helmand, and some Dari.

"I worked closely with the Afghans and in order to communicate with them I learnt the language. It's hard to understand banter and humour through a translator, and it was easier to make friends with them speaking their language," he explained.

"Everyone told me it was a hard language to learn, but I found it ok, and it sounds a bit like Welsh."

In autumn 2014, two years after he left Afghanistan he ventured back to the country.

"I was looking forward to going back without the stigma of being in uniform, or with a rifle,” Davis said.

“We went around the city, chatting to people from all walks of life; we met people in the gym, and went to shop in the market.

“Then we visited the Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in the city."

After a six-year career as a commando with the marines, Davis left the army and is now studying to become a doctor in Keele University.

Some of his colleagues in the marines also returned home in December, after the British Government decided UK troops should leave Afghanistan.

"The Afghan people are asking why the army are leaving,” he said. “They think the job isn't quite done.

“They're worried about what will happen to them once the army has left – especially the financial side."

There were obvious problems in Helmand, according to Owen.

"Not a lot has changed in Helmand since the Middle Ages.

“It's a deprived area, there are no education or health facilities, and the place is quite rough.

“I found the people welcoming in Helmand. But the Taliban watched everything they did, and the Afghan people were afraid of them."

During the making of the programme, Davis travelled to the Afghan capital Kabul for the first time.

"It's a lot more free, cosmopolitan and wealthy there,” said.

“It's like comparing Machynlleth to Kensington. But you can feel the tension in the air, and the day after we left several were killed at the American embassy. But it's still a lot safer than Helmand."

Gohebwyr: Owen Davis is due to be shown on S4C on Sunday, January 6.