Troops at Loftus Rd

[Paul Reilly]

Brillant

[Youvebeenrangered]

Still over the moon about this idea and the fact were gonna do it!

My mate went to Afganistan yesterday, 6 months is a long time!!!

[IsleworthRanger]

Heroes' welcome for British fusiliers on return to Hounslow
9:27am Tuesday 27th October 2009




A company of British fusiliers which lost seven soldiers on a six-month tour of Afghanistan were today due home to a heroes' welcome.

The soldiers of A Company, The Second Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Fusiliers (2 RRF), will be greeted by their wives, children and parents at their base in Hounslow.

But the fusiliers' homecoming will also give them the opportunity to mourn the loss of the seven soldiers from 2 RRF who lost their lives during the tour.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, commanding officer of 2 RRF, said: "All fusiliers can return proud in the knowledge that they left their little bit of Afghanistan significantly better than they found it."

The soldiers were carrying out operations in Sangin and Musa Qal'ah, in Helmand province, in a bid to improve the lives of the local population by increasing security and freedoms, a spokesman for 2 RRF said.

They faced roadside bombs, rifle and machine gun fire, as well as mortar attacks during the tour.

Major Jo Butterfill, the officer commanding A Company, said: "The quiet individual heroism displayed by the soldiers that enabled them to operate in the face of such a severe and ever-present threat will stay with me forever."

Fusilier Kieran Connolly added: "Despite the dangers we have had an amazing experience. You have to be alert 100% of the time, but after all being on operations is what you sign up for."

A spokesman for 2 RRF said their prayers remained with the families of the seven soldiers who died during the tour.

They were: Fusilier Petero "Pat" Suesue, 28, from Fiji; Corporal Joseph Etchells, 22, from Mossley, Greater Manchester; Sergeant Simon Valentine, 29, from Bedworth, Warwickshire; Fusilier Simon Annis, 22, from Salford; Fusilier Louis Carter, 18, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire; Lance Corporal James Fullarton, 24, from Coventry; and Fusilier Shaun Bush, 24, from Coventry.

[Scarlet pimple]

I have two newphews on leave just back from a six month tour of duty from their.

[stan_bowles]

I spent my first 20 years in Hounslow.Lived in Barrack Road,the road that ends right opposite the barracks.As a kid they would practice patrols down our street at night in preperation for their tours of Northern Ireland.

[nuffieldranger]

Game against Coventry 500 tickets for soldiers and their families from Hounslow Barracks and reduced price for serving soldiers from Coventry Well done all that suported this and well done QPR for their effort.

[pkloft]