Afghanistan: The proud march home from hell

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Afghanistan: The proud march home from hell

By Lesley-Anne Henry
Thursday, 1 October 2009

With six comrades lost and 25 injured in Afghanistan, Co Down-based soldiers celebrate a bittersweet homecoming as a fierce debate over the war still rages

Over 70 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment were given a heroes’ welcome yesterday as they arrived home from Afghanistan.

The troops arrived back at Palace Barracks after completing a gruelling tour of duty in Helmand Province.

The Co Down-based regiment, which had been training and mentoring the fledgling Afghan National Army, lost six men and saw a further 25 flown home with serious injuries during their six month stint.

Lance Corporal Keiron Hill (20), Private Robert Laws (18), Pte Jason Williams (23), Pte Gavin Elliot (19) and, most recently, Military Cross holder Sergeant Michael Lockett (29) paid the ultimate sacrifice during what is widely regarded as the bloodiest operational tour since the British mission began in 2001.

Sergeant Sean Binnie, who had settled with his wife Amanda in east Belfast, was attached to 2 Mercian when he was shot dead during a firefight with insurgents in May.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/afghanistan-the-proud-march-home-from-hell-14517579.html#ixzz0SkFJH2AW