The intensity of the six-month tour for many of the soldiers was unrelenting and tragically twelve members of The Parachute Regiment lost their lives this year in Helmand, while many more came home with serious wounds.
Colonel-in-Chief of The Parachute Regiment, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and his wife, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, presented the medals to the soldiers at the regiment's home, Merville Barracks, Colchester, Essex, yesterday, Tuesday 2 December 2008.
Major General Shaw (a former Commanding Officer of 2 PARA) and Major General Kennett (a former Commanding Officer of 3 PARA) also took part in the presentation ceremony.
The first to receive their medals were the seriously wounded personnel from 2 PARA which, as Task Force Helmand's Battle Group (North), undertook regular foot patrols in the Upper Gereshk and Upper Sangin Valleys, coming into regular contact with insurgents.
After presenting the medals, The Prince of Wales said: "It's an enormous privilege to be able to join you with my wife and hand you your campaign medals which are richly deserved. I know you faced suicide bombers, RPGs [Rocket Propelled Grenades], small arms fire, indirect fire and more. It is a remarkable testament not only to your training but your uncrunchable Para spirit, so admired the world wide."
Following the medal presentation, The Prince and The Duchess joined a private reception to meet families of those who had been killed or wounded in action.
|
