Sgt Ed Pashley, 32 – met by wife Emma, 32, and children Chelsea, nine, and Troy, four – said: “I can’t explain how good it feels to be back and to see my family again. I think all the lads can’t wait to put their feet up and sip a cold beer.”
Little Troy beamed: “Seeing daddy again is the best thing ever. It’s better than Christmas and birthday.”
There were more smiles as Captain Mark Blackman greeted his children and grandchildren.
The 4th Battalion, the Rifles Battle Group, had held the last British base in Basra against a huge rebel onslaught.
In a three-month stand at Basra Palace, the Rifles endured 2,000 mortar and rocket attacks, 100 roadside bombs and 400 rocket-propelled grenade strikes. The base was handed over to Iraqi control in September and the troops moved out to the city’s airport. In total they had 11 killed and 62 wounded on tour – more than any other unit in Iraq.
Families waited in the freezing cold to greet the infantry. To show support for our Help For Heroes appeal, ALL the loved ones wore wristbands at Picton Barracks, Bulford, Wilts.
The 500-strong battalion’s CO, Lt Col Patrick Sanders, said: “I’ve never before had the privilege to fight with such a magnificent bunch.”
But celebrations were tinged with sadness. Two troops from the battalion were killed on Wednesday in a car crash, one just hours after returning home.
Tributes, flowers and cards in memory of L/Cpl Nathan Long, 22, and L/Cpl Paul Knight, lined the fences leading to the base.
Sgt Steve Pearce, 35, hugged wife Angela, 37, son Martyn, 13, and daughter Lindsey-Ann, 12, and said: “Everyone knows someone who has lost somebody in the conflict. Something like this adds to that tragedy.”
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