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600 soldiers returning from Iraq 600 soldiers returning from Iraq
(10 minutes later)
About 600 soldiers from across the North West are to return home after a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq.About 600 soldiers from across the North West are to return home after a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq.
During their time there the 2nd battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's regiment was responsible for arresting and detaining rogue militia. During their time there the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's regiment was responsible for arresting and detaining rogue militia.
Eight soldiers from the battalion have been killed while in Iraq.Eight soldiers from the battalion have been killed while in Iraq.
Lt Col Mark Kenyon said he was "immensely proud" of the soldiers who he said had "endured one of toughest deployments since the war." Lt Col Mark Kenyon said he was "immensely proud" of the soldiers who he said had "endured one of toughest deployments since the war".
About 600 service personnel from the 2nd Battalion, which recruits from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester will be heading home over the weekend. About 600 service personnel from the battalion, which recruits from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester, will be heading home over the weekend.
The army said the battalion had been very successful and had struck more than 100 buildings across the south of Iraq and detained 79 key suspects. 'Significant' operation
'Significant' operations The Army said the battalion had been very successful, striking more than 100 buildings across the south of Iraq and detaining 79 suspects.
Days before their tour was completed the troops supported Army Special Forces on a "significant" operation targeting top level criminals and militia leaders. Days before their tour was completed the troops supported Army Special Forces in a "significant" operation targeting criminals and militia leaders.
The 600 Officers and Kingsmen conducted strike operations in Basra city and the force said they were frequently attacked by gunfire, rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs. The officers and kingsmen conducted strike operations in Basra city, where they have been frequently attacked with guns, rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.
The eight soldiers killed during those attacks were Kingsman Jamie Hancock, 19; Sgt Graham Hesketh, 35; Kingsman Alex Green, 21; 2nd Lt Jonathan Bracho-Cooke,24; Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28; Kingsman Adam Smith,19; 2nd Lt Joanna Dyer, 24 and Kingsman Alan Jones, 20. The eight soldiers killed during the attacks were Kingsman Jamie Hancock, 19; Sgt Graham Hesketh, 35; Kingsman Alex Green, 21; 2nd Lt Jonathan Bracho-Cooke, 24; Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28; Kingsman Adam Smith,19; 2nd Lt Joanna Dyer, 24 and Kingsman Alan Jones, 20.
A number of other soldiers were injured and are now recovering in the UK.A number of other soldiers were injured and are now recovering in the UK.