Abkhazia is a breakaway region of Georgia, nestling below the Caucasus Mountains, south of Russia.

In 1992, as the dust was settling from the dissolution of the Soviet Union, bitter fighting broke out as Abkhazia sought independence from the newly independent republic of Georgia.

The fighting was halted in 1993 and the United Nations Security Council mandated the deployment of an international monitoring force, known as UNOMIG, (United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia).

A Ceasefire Agreement signed in 1994 provided for a Commonwealth of Independent States Peacekeeping Force, generally comprised of Russians.

With political leaders showing no sign of compromise and often making provocative statements, 14 years later there is no indication that a final peace settlement is near, and in fact there was renewed fighting in 1998.

Out of 133 UNMOs , (United Nation Monitoring Officers) from all over the world, there are five Brits, with Martin being the sole Royal Navy representative.

The UNMO's role is primarily to monitor the maintenance of the Ceasefire Agreement, ensuring that neither side moves troops or heavy weapons inside a designated 24km wide strip of land from the shores of the Black Sea to the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains.

Additionally UNMOs are monitoring the local security situation and conditions of the citizens, many of whom are effectively stateless as Abkhazia is not recognised as a state by the international community.

Within days of completing his induction training Martin was patrolling as part of a multi-national team, (UN protocols do not permit officers of the same nationality in the same team to ensure 'national balance' and to guard against possible charges of national bias by either side of the conflict.).

Patrols were never dull and challenging off-road driving conditions were regularly experienced in the five-ton Nyala mine-protected trucks.

During his time in UNOMIG, Martin investigated a kidnapping, robbery, enforced labour and beatings, drove an armoured ambulance on an emergency mission, in addition to routine monitoring and liaison with the CIS Peacekeepers and the Abkhaz militia.

On a lighter note, he also found time to visit schools and a youth club to give presentations on UNOMIG and also the UK.

"The children were always extremely interested to hear about the UK and were a delight to meet," said Martin.

"However the basic resources in both schools and medical facilities really brought home to me how fortunate we all are in the UK.

"As a comparator, Bishop Bell School is five star and schools in Abkhazia minus five."

Martin added, "I left the area with a feeling of humility having experienced the generosity of people who have so little but give so willingly, and inspired by their belief and hope for a peaceful future."