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600 soldiers returning from Iraq 600 troops return home from Iraq
(1 day later)
About 600 soldiers from across north-west England are to return home after seven months in Iraq. About 600 soldiers from across north west England have returned home after seven months in Iraq.
During their time there, the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's regiment has been responsible for arresting and detaining rogue militia. During that period, the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's regiment had been responsible for arresting and detaining rogue militia.
Eight soldiers from the battalion have been killed in Iraq. Eight soldiers from the battalion were killed during their time 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 battalion, which recruits from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester, will be heading home over the weekend. The battalion recruits from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester.
'Significant' operation There is definitely a real sense of achievement felt by this battalion about the tour Cpt Phil Calderbank
The Army said the battalion had been very successful, striking more than 100 buildings across the south of Iraq and detaining 79 suspects.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 in a "significant" operation targeting 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 officers and kingsmen conducted strike operations in Basra city, where they have been frequently attacked with guns, rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs. Cpt Phil Calderbank, 26, from Didsbury, Manchester, was the medical officer during the tour.
He said: "It was my first tour and my first posting with a field unit. It was hard and a lot of work involved but it was very rewarding.
"There is definitely a real sense of achievement felt by this battalion about the tour."
Roadside bombs
But the former Manchester University Student said despite all the hardship a lot of progress was made as the Iraqis began to take ownership of their country.
"We were working a lot with the Iraqi army, who more and more started to come out on patrols with us," he said.
The officers and kingsmen conducted strike operations in Basra city, where they were frequently attacked with guns, rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.
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.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.