Salisbury welcomes 4 RIFLES from gruelling Afghan tour
9 Dec 09
450 soldiers from 4th Battalion The Rifles (4 RIFLES), who recently returned from a gruelling deployment to Afghanistan, were honoured by cheering crowds in Salisbury this week.
Crowds of well-wishers cheer soldiers of 4th Battalion The Rifles as they march through the streets of Salisbury
[Picture: Adrian Harlen, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Led by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, the soldiers, many in their desert combat uniforms, were met by cheering crowds of well-wishers who lined the historic city's streets as they marched proudly from the Cathedral Close to the Market Square for an inspection by the Mayor.
The Riflemen have recently returned to their barracks at Bulford after five successful but tough months in Afghanistan where they were part of the Election Support Force.
On marching through Salisbury on Monday 7 December 2009, their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, said:
"It has been wonderful to see such large crowds turn up to support us despite the terrible weather. It means so much to every soldier to receive this welcome from the people of Salisbury."
Speaking about their work supporting the election in Afghanistan, Lt Col Jones said:
"The Riflemen operated in the Nad e-Ali district in the extreme south of the UK area of operations in Helmand province. ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] moved into the area for the first time late last year, so it is still in the early stages of development and the insurgent threat remains high.
Soldiers, friends and family members remember the fallen soldiers of 4th Battalion The Rifles during a service of remembrance at Salisbury Cathedral
[Picture: Sergeant Dan Harmer, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"The Riflemen faced a constant and debilitating threat from improvised explosive devices and operated, in the main, in austere locations, living a very basic existence.
"B Company operated very much alone, working through the difficult summer to keep the insurgents at bay and protect the ISAF push into Babaji to their north. Progress was deliberate and steady, but in the last month a number of local national families who had moved into the desert for security have started returning home.
"While there are many reasons for their return, they would not have done so if they did not feel that the security situation was improving. This is a legacy that the Riflemen can be proud of - small steps, but ultimately it is the local population who will decide the success of this campaign and it is they who are the real judges of security and progress.
"These are early days in Nad e-Ali district, but the Riflemen have set the area up for further development."
The march in Salisbury followed a private service of commemoration at the city's cathedral where the soldiers, accompanied by bereaved families, civic dignitaries and retired senior officers, gathered to remember the battalion's fallen who lost their lives during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Soldiers of 4th Battalion The Rifles on parade in Salisbury
[Picture: Sergeant Dan Harmer, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Two soldiers from the battalion were killed in action in Afghanistan during the latest tour of duty:
• Rifleman Samuel Bassett, killed on 8 November 2009, aged 20
• Rifleman Daniel Hume, killed on 9 July 2009, aged 22
In addition, the battalion lost Lance Corporal Taran Cheeseman, who died of natural causes in the UK on 7 June 2009, aged 21.
Following the parade in Salisbury, a civic reception was held in the Guildhall for some of the soldiers while others celebrated with their families around the city.
Many of the public houses and restaurants offered special deals for the soldiers, and businesses around the town decorated their shop fronts with bunting and flags.
137 soldiers from 4 RIFLES are currently serving in Afghanistan and are due to return in Spring 2010.