Heroes' welcome as soldiers return
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Troops serving in Afghanistan were given a heroes' welcome when they returned home yesterday.
More than 700 people crowded into the Guildhall in Central London to see 140 members of Somme Company take part in a medal parade.
Local authorities across the country have been criticised for not organising official welcome parades for the units returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the City of London was delighted with the response to yesterday's event, as members of the public joined friends and family of the London Regiment in welcoming home relatives they had not seen for three months.
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, head of the Army, said last month that soldiers' morale was suffering because they were returning from active service to an 'indifferent' public who did not seem to appreciate their efforts.
His call for 'welcome home' parades for 13,000 servicemen and women returning this month and next from Afghanistan and Iraq was later backed by all the major political parties.
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, John Stuttard, said troops deserved 'wide recognition' for their 'sacrifice and dedication'.
Maj Giles Morgan, from the London Regiment, said: 'The event was simply brilliant – we really couldn't have asked for better.'
And L/Cpl Tony Field had special cause to celebrate – he used the occasion to propose to girlfriend Amelia Arditti, who readily accepted.
