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Heroes' welcome for Afghan troops | Heroes' welcome for Afghan troops |
(1 day later) | |
The last group of soldiers from a battalion which lost eight men during a tour of Afghanistan received a heroes' welcome arriving back in the UK. | The last group of soldiers from a battalion which lost eight men during a tour of Afghanistan received a heroes' welcome arriving back in the UK. |
B Company of 1st Battalion The Rifles has spent the last six months in Garmsir, in Helmand Province. | B Company of 1st Battalion The Rifles has spent the last six months in Garmsir, in Helmand Province. |
The 124 soldiers were mobbed by family and friends as they arrived back at Beachley Barracks, near Chepstow. | |
Their commanding officer said Helmand was a dangerous place and the troops have to come to terms with that. | Their commanding officer said Helmand was a dangerous place and the troops have to come to terms with that. |
Lt Col Joe Cavanagh said: "Just south of where these chaps have been doing their work becomes a fairly lawless, difficult and dangerous place. | Lt Col Joe Cavanagh said: "Just south of where these chaps have been doing their work becomes a fairly lawless, difficult and dangerous place. |
"These men have been exposed to some of that in one of the more difficult parts of Helmand. | "These men have been exposed to some of that in one of the more difficult parts of Helmand. |
'Hard for everyone' | 'Hard for everyone' |
"They've been doing the full range of normal security tasks, patrolling in vehicles and on foot to enhance security and, when they get the chance, doing a bit to support development and other assistance to the community. | "They've been doing the full range of normal security tasks, patrolling in vehicles and on foot to enhance security and, when they get the chance, doing a bit to support development and other assistance to the community. |
"B Company itself didn't have anybody killed, but had some serious casualties, men injured who were brought back to the UK. Two of them I would describe as serious and others had less life-changing injuries." | "B Company itself didn't have anybody killed, but had some serious casualties, men injured who were brought back to the UK. Two of them I would describe as serious and others had less life-changing injuries." |
Armed with banners and balloons, around 250 family and friends cheered their loved ones as they arrived at the barracks on Saturday, just over four hours behind schedule. | Armed with banners and balloons, around 250 family and friends cheered their loved ones as they arrived at the barracks on Saturday, just over four hours behind schedule. |
Rifleman Richard Robinson, 20, from Swindon, had an enthusiastic welcome home from his seven-year-old brother Robbie. | Rifleman Richard Robinson, 20, from Swindon, had an enthusiastic welcome home from his seven-year-old brother Robbie. |
Putting his helmet on Robbie's head, he said: "It's been hard for everyone, physically and mentally, but we got through it." | Putting his helmet on Robbie's head, he said: "It's been hard for everyone, physically and mentally, but we got through it." |
Robbie Robinson, 7, wears his brother's helmet | |
Rifleman Dale Bishop, 28, from Wiltshire, was reunited with fiancee L/Cpl Kelly Duddy, 27, who only returned from Afghanistan herself last month. | Rifleman Dale Bishop, 28, from Wiltshire, was reunited with fiancee L/Cpl Kelly Duddy, 27, who only returned from Afghanistan herself last month. |
He said: "It was my second time out there and it was a tough time, it was hot carrying a lot of heavy kit. I've been looking forward to coming back to this beautiful woman." | He said: "It was my second time out there and it was a tough time, it was hot carrying a lot of heavy kit. I've been looking forward to coming back to this beautiful woman." |
L/Cpl Duddy, from Birmingham, added: "We were out there at the same time which was brilliant. We're getting married on December 22." | L/Cpl Duddy, from Birmingham, added: "We were out there at the same time which was brilliant. We're getting married on December 22." |
Martin Tudor, from Stroud, was there to welcome home his son, Rifleman Mitchell Tudor, who is 18. | Martin Tudor, from Stroud, was there to welcome home his son, Rifleman Mitchell Tudor, who is 18. |
He said: "We've been on Facebook and mobile phones and now we've physically got him home we can relax a little bit more. It's difficult to put the feeling into words really." | He said: "We've been on Facebook and mobile phones and now we've physically got him home we can relax a little bit more. It's difficult to put the feeling into words really." |
A celebratory welcome home parade through Chepstow is planned for 21 May. | A celebratory welcome home parade through Chepstow is planned for 21 May. |
A memorial event to remember the eight who lost their lives in Afghanistan - Rifleman Stuart Nash, Cpl Richard Robinson, Cpl Daniel Nield, L/Cpl Stephen Kingscott, Sgt Chris Reed, Rifleman Jamie Gunn, L/Cpl Paul Upton and Cpl Tom Gaden - is also being organised. | A memorial event to remember the eight who lost their lives in Afghanistan - Rifleman Stuart Nash, Cpl Richard Robinson, Cpl Daniel Nield, L/Cpl Stephen Kingscott, Sgt Chris Reed, Rifleman Jamie Gunn, L/Cpl Paul Upton and Cpl Tom Gaden - is also being organised. |
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