Emotional homecoming for soldiers

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Soldiers from one of the most battle-scarred units fighting in Afghanistan have returned to their London barracks.

Families and friends greeted more than 100 members of the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment, at the Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, west London.

The men from C Company spent six months involved in intense fighting against the Taliban in Helmand province.

The battalion lost a total of nine men during fighting.

Intense tour

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton welcomed the soldiers home, telling them: "You have been brave, you have been steadfast, you have been loyal to your country, to your regiment and to your mates."

His only comment was that he had learned to fly without a plane Andrea Taylor, grandmother of Pte Ben Harrison

One soldier to return home was 25-year-old Lance Corporal Clint Buchanan,from Ilkeston in Derbyshire.

LCpl Buchanan, who has served two tours in Northern Ireland and oneprevious tour in Afghanistan, said this tour was easily the most intense.

"I just want to go home and see some friends and family, get some down timeand chill out for a bit," he said.

Grandmother Andrea Taylor, 67, was waiting for Private Ben Harrison, 20, along with his mother Deborah Dyer, 43, and his girlfriend Hannah Osbourn, 19.

'You are heroes'

Pte Harrison was "blown up" three times when his vehicle hit landmines in separate incidents and he suffered a dislocated shoulder as well as a loss of hearing.

"His only comment was that he had learned to fly without a plane," she said. "He has altered tremendously - he went out a young boy and has come back a man."

Pte Harrison said: "There was a lot of bad stuff in Afghanistan but some good stuff as well.

Wives of the soldiers had created a board made of flowers showing the old capbadge on which families could leave tributes to the men who did not come back.

One message read: "We will never forget your bravery and courage. You areheroes."

The soldiers have 48 hours' leave before returning to the barracks for a periodof "normalisation".