> Blog Author's Son Returns Home.

My Son Returns Home.

It's been a long haul for the Grenadier Guards and the lads of Somme Company in Afghanistan and a long wait for the families to see their loved ones return home safely, but we all have finally got there. The Somme Company (and my son) arrived in the UK on Friday 12^th October and had their medal and final parade in London on Sunday 14^th October. The parade was well attended by the soldier's families but less attended by the general public. (see previous article.)

Author's Son receiving medal from the Lord Mayor of London

ISAF campaign medal

Blog Author and Son

During the time Somme Coy have been in Helmand 30 soldiers have been killed in action. One of them, 'Daryl Hickey' was with Somme Coy and a friend of my son. It is hard to rejoice in a victory parade when so many good men have been lost and the ground that was taken during the fighting with the Taliban will be re-taken by the Taliban! Was it worth it? – I can not answer that! what I can say, the troops committed to this conflict have not been properly resourced, the number of troops were far too low to wage an effective campaign and dislodge the Taliban for good and the ANA are still far to weak to hold the ground taken. I can only conclude that this is 'political' 'to be seen to be doing something' but the reality is NATO countries are not willing to committee to an effective strategy with troop numbers and money to get the job done.

Never the less, we can not take away from our soldiers the courage, fortitude and bravery they demonstrate whist rising to the challenges asked of them by the Politicians. So let's not forget these lads and let's offer up, from our hearts, prayers for the families who have lost loved ones in the campaign. 'We pray that God will ease the pain of their loss and bring to their minds fond memories, will give then hope of the life to come and the knowledge that, for those who believe, will see their loved ones again, once this earthly journey is at its end. For certainty we all pass to life eternal.'

Thank you to all those who sent emails of support and encouragement to the Author of this Blog. This chapter in my (and my Son's) live is now over. Lets all look forward to the day when the Afghanistan conflict is over for everyone not least the Afghan people!!

Links to Parade news reports:

MoD

London parade for returning UK troops

By Lewis Hannam

Last Updated: 1:38am BST 15/10/2007

Families rejoiced on Sunday as more than 140 homecoming British troops were given a heroes' welcome.

After six months of combat in Afghanistan, Somme Company, of the London Regiment, paraded through the City of London.

Public homecomings have become a rare sight in recent years, a fact bemoaned recently by the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.

Last month he complained that too many local councils were snubbing returning troops, a criticism backed by a Daily Telegraph campaign calling for more returning parades.

Major Giles Morgan, an officer with the London Regiment, said: "The parade was absolutely brilliant. It was the first time families had seen their loved ones for a long time so it was a very proud moment."

The parade was hosted by the City of London Corporation, the local authority for London's financial district, the Square Mile. It included full time troops, Territorial Army soldiers, regular reservists and 26 Grenadier Guards.

Last month a Daily Telegraph survey revealed almost none of the thousands of British soldiers returning from war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan this autumn will be welcomed with a homecoming parade.

Out of the 16 councils contacted - all in areas with strong military links - only two were aware of plans for a parade.

Close to 13,000 troops are set to return from arduous and bloody six-month tours by November.

> Heroes' welcome as soldiers return

Heroes' welcome as soldiers return

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Reunited: L/Cpl Alan Cain and his children Jonathan and Selene at the ceremony in Central London

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.

SOLDIERS PARADE

SALUTE OUR TROOPS

14/10/2007

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The first TA soldiers to fight on the Afghan frontline are to march through Central London today.

The men, from the Somme Company, the London Regiment, will be honoured at a parade through the City and a reception at the Guildhall.

There they will meet friends and family - and will remember Guardsman Daryl Hickey, 27, who was killed in battle alongside them in July.

The 100 TA soldiers have just returned from a six-month tour of duty in Helmand Province, where they were involved in intense close-quarter fighting with the Taliban.

Forces on parade will also include regular troops and Army and RAF reservists.

They are due to form up on Noble Street and march down Gresham Street at 11.45am before parading at the City o f London Guildhall at noon for 40 minutes.

> Muslim soldier's death 'unlawful'

Muslim soldier's death 'unlawful'

A verdict of unlawful killing has been recorded on the first British Muslim soldier to be killed during the conflict in Afghanistan.

L/Cpl Jabron Hashmi, 24, of Bordesley Green, Birmingham, died during a rocket attack on a building on 1 July 2006, an inquest at Oxford Coroners Court heard.

The same verdict was also recorded on his colleague,

Cpl Peter Thorpe, 27, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Coroner Andrew Walker said the attack was "nothing short of murder".

Less severe

A Chinese-made rocket blasted through a wall on an observation post in Sangin, Helmand Province, as a compound came under fire from Taleban fighters.

It exploded inside, showering soldiers with shrapnel.

The hearing was told the pair, who were both serving with the Intelligence Corps, had direct orders to be wearing body armour, but neither had it on when the rocket hit.

Mr Walker, assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, said it highlighted "failings in the chain of command".

He said if Cpl Thorpe had been wearing protective clothing his injury might have been less severe.

But the inquest heard that such clothing would not have saved L/Cpl Hashmi.

Maj William Pike admitted the fact they were not wearing body armour was a failure, but said there was also "individual responsibility" on the soldiers to ensure they wore it.

Maj Pike said when darkness fell Cpl Thorpe and L/Cpl Hashmi were in an outbuilding which also had soldiers on the roof.

An interpreter was also killed almost instantly in the incident.

The inquest heard that both soldiers were part of a 150 strong force which had been involved in fierce fighting with the Taleban in the days leading up to the fatal attack.

Forensic pathologist Dr Nicholas Hunt said L/Cpl Hashmi died from a shrapnel wound to the neck. Cpl Thorpe died from a projectile wound to the chest.

Pakistani born L/Cpl Hashmi had been in the army since 2004 and was posted to the Royal Signals in January 2006.

Military parachutist

His brother Zeeshan and three sisters said in a statement at the time of his death: "Our brother was proud of his role as a serving soldier and looked forward to his deployment to Afghanistan.

"He felt privileged to represent the Army as a Muslim British Pakistani who wanted to use his background and position to contribute at a time where there exists a lack of understanding of cultures, ideologies and religious identities."

L/Cpl Hashmi's sisters accompanied their mother at the inquest on Thursday.

Cpl Thorpe joined the army in August 1995 and had already served on tours in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. He was also a qualified military parachutist.

> Paras to lead spring offensive in Afg...

Paras to lead spring offensive in Afghanistan

Richard Norton-Taylor
Saturday October 6, 2007
The Guardian

The whole of one of the army's most elite regiments, supported by the RAF's latest fighter bombers, is to be sent to Afghanistan in a military operation unprecedented since the second world war.

For the first time since 1945, all three regular battalions of the Parachute Regiment - about 2,000 troops - will be deployed for combat. The Eurofighter/Typhoon, equipped with new missiles for a ground attack role, will be deployed for the first time in a hostile mission.

New Merlin helicopters from an RAF squadron formed this week will also be sent to the region.

The plan, being drawn up by the chiefs of staff, reflects the government's concern over the failure to win a decisive victory against the Taliban. Tomorrow marks the sixth anniversary of the first American and British missile strikes on Afghanistan in retaliation for the 9/11 attacks on the US, yet Nato-led forces are no closer to beating the Taliban, Nato commanders believe.

The Ministry of Defence said yesterday that a British officer from the Gurkha Rifles was killed, and two soldiers from the regiment injured, in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Thursday. It is the first death of a member of the Gurkhas there. The soldiers were hit 19 miles from the Nato airbase at Kandahar and airlifted to the main British base at Camp Bastion.

The soldier's death takes the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82.

The decision by the heads of all three branches of the armed forces to deploy so much manpower and weaponry to southern Afghanistan also reflects their conviction, shared by ministers, that unlike Iraq, Afghanistan is on the frontline of the fight against international terrorism and that the conflict there is a "noble cause".

Under the plan, the Parachute Regiment will be sent to Helmand as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade next spring. Its deployment is expected to coincide with a further cut, perhaps of 1,500, in British troops in Basra which Gordon Brown is likely to refer to in his Commons statement on Iraq on Monday.

The prime minister is expected to set out the future role of British troops after they hand over to local forces responsibility for overall security of Basra province before the end of the year. During his flying visit to Baghdad this week, he announced that troops there would be cut to 4,500 by Christmas. There are about 5,250 there now and 7,700 in Afghanistan.

Reductions in the number of troops in Iraq will free up soldiers for deployment in Afghanistan at a time when the army is increasingly stretched, with commanders worried about the effect on service families and the resignation of experienced non-commissioned officers.

While Britain prepares to increase its military commitment to Afghanistan, senior Nato commanders are making it clear they are increasingly concerned about the restrictions -"caveats" - on the operations and movements that some countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, impose on their forces in Afghanistan. "Restrictions on operations are having profound consequences," said one Nato commander. He added: "It is very insidious and significant at every level." Nato is faced with the prospect of the first ground combat operation in its 58-year history collapsing in failure. Senior alliance officials describe Afghanistan as "Nato's number one priority".

"No one in Afghanistan is safe," according to a senior military figure. US-led coalition forces and Afghan troops clashed with insurgents during a raid in eastern Afghanistan yesterday, leaving several militants and civilians, including a woman and a child, dead.

Matt Waldman, Oxfam's head of policy in Kabul, told the Guardian: "The truth is that the international community was distracted by Iraq, with terrible consequences for Afghanistan. The urgent priority is to remove the conditions of desperate poverty in which extremism can thrive."

Des Browne, the defence secretary, told a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference last week that the Taliban would have to be involved in a peace process "because they are not going away any more than I suspect Hamas are going away from Palestine". Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, this week repeated his offer of talks with the Taliban only to be met with the response that US and foreign troops would first have to agree to leave.

> Soldiers return from Afghanistan

Soldiers return from Afghanistan

The new regiment is based in Staffordshire

Ninety-six soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) are expected to arrive home.

The troops are flying back to the Midlands in a move which marks the beginning of the new regiment's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The troops will be without nine of their colleagues who died in action.

Major Bob Prophet, the Regimental Secretary, said it will be a time for reflection for the soldiers.

The soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan in May.

Major Prophet said each of the nine deaths had "hit the whole battalion extremely hard".

"But without wishing to be callous, they have to get on with the job," he said.

Regiments merged

He added: "They will undoubtedly grieve much more when they are back and they have time to think about it, but while they are in Afghanistan - no they get on with the job."

Three historic regiments merged as part of the British Army's infantry restructuring plans to make the new Mercian regiment in August.

The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, the Staffordshire Regiment and the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters combined as the Mercian Regiment.

The new regiment's headquarters are at Whittington Barracks, Staffordshire.

A total of 82 British troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001.

> Dead UK Afghanistan soldier named

Dead UK Afghanistan soldier named

Major Alexis Roberts was killed in Afghanistan

A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Maj Alexis Roberts.

The soldier, serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was returning to Kandahar Airfield on Thursday when the blast happened.

Maj Roberts, 32, lived in Kent with his wife and two daughters.

Prince William said he was "deeply saddened" at the death of Maj Roberts, his platoon commander at Sandhurst, whom he described as "a good friend".

"At this time, his thoughts and prayers are with Lex's wife, Susie, their two young daughters, Alice and Freya, and with all his family and friends," a statement issued by Clarence House added.

The death has taken the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82.

It is the first death in the conflict of a soldier serving with the Gurkhas.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was greatly saddened by the news of Major Roberts' tragic death.

"He was an extremely experienced officer and who was, quite obviously, held in high regard by his superiors, peers and those who worked for him.

"My heart goes out to his family and friends as they come to terms with their loss."

The British Army has lost one of its finest prospects and the nation has lost a dedicated servant Lt Col Jonny Bourne MBE

Maj Roberts was usually an Officer of 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, although he had been serving in Afghanistan with The 1st Battalion when he was killed.

Maj Roberts, and two soldiers who were injured, were taking part in an operation in nearby Helmand Province when they were hit.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Bourne MBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, paid tribute to the soldier.

He said: "In Major Lex Roberts, both battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles have lost a dear friend and a treasured officer.

"The British Army has lost one of its finest prospects and the nation has lost a dedicated servant, a demonstrably warm-hearted man of profound integrity and courage - quite simply, a very special human being."

> Gurkha Battalion joins ANA and ISAF

Gurkha Battalion joins ANA and ISAF effort in Upper Gereshk Valley

27 Sep 07

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles are currently taking part in a Task Force offensive involving 2,500 troops in decisive operations in Helmand Province, their first major operation since their arrival in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Gurkha soldiers pictured in the 'Green Zone' during Operation Palk Wahel
[Picture: MOD]

In this offensive, codenamed 'Palk Wahel' or 'Sledgehammer Hit', the Gurkhas, alongside other British Forces from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan National Security Forces, are driving the Taliban from key areas in the Upper Gereshk Valley.

Normally based in Serai, Brunei, the Gurkhas form part of ISAF's Regional Command (South) Battlegroup and are serving in Afghanistan on a six month operational tour. This is the first time the Gurkhas have deployed from Brunei as a formed Battalion, although the unit has been involved in operations elsewhere to varying levels, including Iraq, Sierra Leone and the Balkans.

The Gurkhas, who have a reputation as fearsome warriors, are ideally suited to the operating environment in Afghanistan which in some ways is similar to the mountains and plains of Nepal. In addition, their experience of operating in the Bruneian jungle meant that the soldiers arriving in Afghanistan were able to acclimatise quickly and prepare themselves for the tasks ahead.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Bourne, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said:

"We are really pleased to be conducting our first operation so soon after our arrival in theatre. Operation Palk Wahel is protecting areas within Helmand Province where gains have previously been made against the Taliban and pushing them further out. We have been given the task of clearing down into the Upper Gereshk Valley from the north east.

"Initially we met stiff resistance but this was soon overcome. We are now conducting patrols throughout the area and the local people are beginning to return.

"Initially we met stiff resistance but this was soon overcome. We are now conducting patrols throughout the area and the local people are beginning to return."

Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Bourne

"We have an important job to do in providing the enduring security conditions required to enable the Afghan Government to remove Taliban influence from communities in the Upper Gereshk Valley and to allow reconstruction and development projects to flourish.
 
"The Gurkhas have a natural advantage here. They have an affinity with the people here. It's in that interaction with the people where we want to make a real difference."

As well as Task Force Helmand, the Gurkhas will be working with three other Task Forces across the Regional Command (South) area.

ISAF's key objective is to create the enduring security conditions to extend Taliban free areas, enabling the influence and control of Afghanistan's democratically elected Government to spread up the Upper Gereshk Valley, allowing vital reconstruction and development projects to take place. Previous phases of the Operation saw activity conducted across the Upper Gereshk and Sangin Valleys as well as in Garmsir and Now Zad.

One of the many weapons the Gurkhas have at their disposal is the Kukri, a weapon they have used for centuries which is considered more deadly than a gun when used in close proximity fighting. The Kukri is made of metal, the heavier the better, and is adorned with a handle made from wood or animal horn.

A Gurkha soldier ready for action
[Picture: MOD]