Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, today met 650 troops from 11 Light Brigade after they returned from to Britain's to a hero's welcome after a six month tour of Afghanistan.
In what was Britain's biggest ever homecoming parade, the troops marched two miles through the centre of Winchester, Hampshire, as thousands of people lined the streets waving Union Flags. This is despite the fact that members of the Light Brigade were worried that turnout would be low as football fever hits the country for England's World Cup game against Slovenia. But the British people love their service personnel as well as their football.
Camilla, who is Colonel in Chief of the 4th Batallion, The Rifles, hailed the British Army as the best in the world.
After the march, the troops lined up outside Winchester's Guildhall were they were met by the future Queen.
She told them: 'You are all heroes and I salute you all for a job very well done.
During their time in Afghanistan, the Light Brigade lost 64 of their 5,500 soldiers, a fact that Camilla didn't forget.
'Although we are all here to celebrate your return, the price has been extremely high and I join you in mourning those 64 soldiers who are not here and who made the ultimate sacrifice during these past months,' she said.
After the parade, the Duchess attended a private ceremony where she presented the families of two servicemen killed during the tour with the new Elizabeth Cross in recognition of their sacrifice.
Later 1400 people attended a private service of thanksgiving and remembrance in Winchester Cathedral.
The British are really taking the fight to the Taliban in Afghanistan. The British Army's death rate is now four times that of the US Army's.
So far, 302 British troops have lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Camilla hails 'best army in the world' as she welcomes troops home from Afghanistan
By David Wilkes
23rd June 2010
Daily Mail
11 Light Brigade
The distant sound of clapping from the crowds lining the streets further up told you the heroes were nearing.
Then, as the 650 soldiers of 11 Light Brigade reached the end of their two mile parade into the city centre, the cheering grew louder and louder and the schoolchildren waiting by the Guildhall waved their Union Jacks with gusto.
Such were the gloriously patriotic scenes in Winchester, Hampshire, today as the UK witnessed its biggest ever homecoming parade.
'Best army': The Duchess of Cornwall inspects the troops of 11 Light Brigade today during a homecoming parade in Winchester. The 650 troops have returned from a tour in Afghanistan
Thanks: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, met servicemen during an inspection of the troops and told them, 'You are all heroes, and I salute you for a job very well done'
In glorious sunshine - and despite the imminent kick-off of a certain football match in South Africa - an estimated 10,000 people turned out to welcome the troops back after a six month tour of Afghanistan.
Amid the celebrations, it was also a time for reflection.
Summer outfit: Camilla wore an elegant cream dress but kept on her lightweight coat despite the heat
During this time the Light Brigade lost 64 of their 5,500 soldiers.
And the parade came the day after the news of the death of the 300th British soldier in Afghanistan since military operations began there.
Marching six abreast and accompanied by three military bands, the troops of 11 Light Brigade, dressed in desert fatigues, lined up in the Broadway outside the Guildhall.
Union Jacks and the Brigade's flag - emblazoned with Taurus the bull - flying outside the building fluttered in a welcome cooling breeze.
Chests puffed out, some of the troops bobbed up and down on their heels (an old trick to keep the circulation going and stop themselves from fainting on parade) as they waited to be addressed by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Standing on a dais, she then spoke movingly, saying: 'You are all heroes and I salute you all for a job very well done.'
Camillla said she was 'hugely humbled and proud' to there to welcome them home after their 'immensley challenging' tour.
'Although we are all here to celebrate your return, the price has been extremely high and I join you in mourning those 64 soldiers who are not here and who made the ultimate sacrifice during these past months,' she said.
'My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to their families as they continue to come to terms with their agonising loss.'
The future Queen said she had been following events in Afghanistan closely as she is the Colonel in Chief of 4th Battalion, The Rifles who were serving there until October last year.
She continued: 'For months on end many of you have dealt with the constant deadly threat of IEDs, you have had to fight fierce battles with the Taliban insurgents while at the same time overcoming the austere conditions of Helmand province.
'Through all this you have fought on with immense courage, displaying the highest levl of dedication, loyalty and professionalism as you have gone about bringing stability and secuity to this trouble region.'
She also spoke of the 'devastating number of casualties' suffered in the brigade - several of whom were present in wheelchairs - and praised the 'extraordinary care' they have received at Selly Oak Hospital and Headley Grange.
Paying tribute to the soldiers' 'wonderful' families and loved ones, she said: 'You too have undergone many of your own challenges back home living in constant fear for those whom you love so dearly.
'I know you have been an immense support to them and I want to offer you my warmest admiration for all you have been through.'
Fly by: The 11 Light Brigade accompanied by three bands march through the City of Winchester today as crowds line the streets
The Duchess, dressed elegantly in a cream outfit, then inspected the troops before a fly past by two Tornado jets.
Among the crowd was Mick Dyson, the uncle of Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, who was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Malgir in Helmand provinve on Feb 1 this year.
At the time, Prince Harry paid tribute to him and his friend Corporal Liam Riley, 21, who died in a separate blast on the same day.
Mr Dyson, 53, of Huddersfield, said: 'The reception from the public was superb. It just shows what respect the public have for the soldiers.
'It makes us realise that although we have lost a loved one, the public respect what he did and are paying respect for so many brave people that have lost their lives serving their country.'
End of an era: The Light Brigade suffered 64 fatalities in Afghanistan
Welcome home: Crowds watch troops of the 11th Light Brigade march down the main street of Winchester
The brigade's senior chaplain Reverend Mark Christian said: 'It humbled us that so many people bothered to come out to support us.'
Of the the brigade's losses, he added: 'When you sign up to be a soldier you know the risks. It makes us exceptionally sad, but we respect their sacrifice and take heart that their sacridifce has helped make the world a safer place.'
Sergeant Craig Newton, 33, from the Coldstream Guards which formed part of 11 Light Brigade, said he had been concerned the turnout might not be high because of England's crunch World Cup match.
Warm welcome: The Duchess of Cornwall meets Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff before inspecting troops of 11 Light Brigade
'But the people of Winchester have done us proud,' he said. 'The boys within the Guards are happy to miss the match - the football comes around every four years but a day like today is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
'I didn't expect this many people - it means so much more when the public turn out.'
The new Elizabeth Cross was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 1st July 2009 and is given to the recognised next of kin of members of the British Armed Forces killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack after the Second World War.
After the parade the Duchess attended a private ceremony where she presented the families of two servicemen killed during the tour with the new Elizabeth Cross in recognition of their sacrifice.
Later 1400 people attended a private service of thanksgiving and remembrance in Winchester Cathedral.
Homecoming parade: 650 soldiers of 11 Light Brigade accompanied by three bands march through the City of Winchester in front of the Duchess of Cornwall today
dailymail.co.uk
In what was Britain's biggest ever homecoming parade, the troops marched two miles through the centre of Winchester, Hampshire, as thousands of people lined the streets waving Union Flags. This is despite the fact that members of the Light Brigade were worried that turnout would be low as football fever hits the country for England's World Cup game against Slovenia. But the British people love their service personnel as well as their football.
Camilla, who is Colonel in Chief of the 4th Batallion, The Rifles, hailed the British Army as the best in the world.
After the march, the troops lined up outside Winchester's Guildhall were they were met by the future Queen.
She told them: 'You are all heroes and I salute you all for a job very well done.
During their time in Afghanistan, the Light Brigade lost 64 of their 5,500 soldiers, a fact that Camilla didn't forget.
'Although we are all here to celebrate your return, the price has been extremely high and I join you in mourning those 64 soldiers who are not here and who made the ultimate sacrifice during these past months,' she said.
After the parade, the Duchess attended a private ceremony where she presented the families of two servicemen killed during the tour with the new Elizabeth Cross in recognition of their sacrifice.
Later 1400 people attended a private service of thanksgiving and remembrance in Winchester Cathedral.
The British are really taking the fight to the Taliban in Afghanistan. The British Army's death rate is now four times that of the US Army's.
So far, 302 British troops have lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Camilla hails 'best army in the world' as she welcomes troops home from Afghanistan
By David Wilkes
23rd June 2010
Daily Mail
11 Light Brigade
The distant sound of clapping from the crowds lining the streets further up told you the heroes were nearing.
Then, as the 650 soldiers of 11 Light Brigade reached the end of their two mile parade into the city centre, the cheering grew louder and louder and the schoolchildren waiting by the Guildhall waved their Union Jacks with gusto.
Such were the gloriously patriotic scenes in Winchester, Hampshire, today as the UK witnessed its biggest ever homecoming parade.
'Best army': The Duchess of Cornwall inspects the troops of 11 Light Brigade today during a homecoming parade in Winchester. The 650 troops have returned from a tour in Afghanistan
Thanks: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, met servicemen during an inspection of the troops and told them, 'You are all heroes, and I salute you for a job very well done'
In glorious sunshine - and despite the imminent kick-off of a certain football match in South Africa - an estimated 10,000 people turned out to welcome the troops back after a six month tour of Afghanistan.
Amid the celebrations, it was also a time for reflection.
Summer outfit: Camilla wore an elegant cream dress but kept on her lightweight coat despite the heat
During this time the Light Brigade lost 64 of their 5,500 soldiers.
And the parade came the day after the news of the death of the 300th British soldier in Afghanistan since military operations began there.
Marching six abreast and accompanied by three military bands, the troops of 11 Light Brigade, dressed in desert fatigues, lined up in the Broadway outside the Guildhall.
Union Jacks and the Brigade's flag - emblazoned with Taurus the bull - flying outside the building fluttered in a welcome cooling breeze.
Chests puffed out, some of the troops bobbed up and down on their heels (an old trick to keep the circulation going and stop themselves from fainting on parade) as they waited to be addressed by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Standing on a dais, she then spoke movingly, saying: 'You are all heroes and I salute you all for a job very well done.'
Camillla said she was 'hugely humbled and proud' to there to welcome them home after their 'immensley challenging' tour.
'Although we are all here to celebrate your return, the price has been extremely high and I join you in mourning those 64 soldiers who are not here and who made the ultimate sacrifice during these past months,' she said.
'My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to their families as they continue to come to terms with their agonising loss.'
The future Queen said she had been following events in Afghanistan closely as she is the Colonel in Chief of 4th Battalion, The Rifles who were serving there until October last year.
She continued: 'For months on end many of you have dealt with the constant deadly threat of IEDs, you have had to fight fierce battles with the Taliban insurgents while at the same time overcoming the austere conditions of Helmand province.
'Through all this you have fought on with immense courage, displaying the highest levl of dedication, loyalty and professionalism as you have gone about bringing stability and secuity to this trouble region.'
She also spoke of the 'devastating number of casualties' suffered in the brigade - several of whom were present in wheelchairs - and praised the 'extraordinary care' they have received at Selly Oak Hospital and Headley Grange.
Paying tribute to the soldiers' 'wonderful' families and loved ones, she said: 'You too have undergone many of your own challenges back home living in constant fear for those whom you love so dearly.
'I know you have been an immense support to them and I want to offer you my warmest admiration for all you have been through.'
Fly by: The 11 Light Brigade accompanied by three bands march through the City of Winchester today as crowds line the streets
The Duchess, dressed elegantly in a cream outfit, then inspected the troops before a fly past by two Tornado jets.
Among the crowd was Mick Dyson, the uncle of Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, who was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Malgir in Helmand provinve on Feb 1 this year.
At the time, Prince Harry paid tribute to him and his friend Corporal Liam Riley, 21, who died in a separate blast on the same day.
Mr Dyson, 53, of Huddersfield, said: 'The reception from the public was superb. It just shows what respect the public have for the soldiers.
'It makes us realise that although we have lost a loved one, the public respect what he did and are paying respect for so many brave people that have lost their lives serving their country.'
End of an era: The Light Brigade suffered 64 fatalities in Afghanistan
Welcome home: Crowds watch troops of the 11th Light Brigade march down the main street of Winchester
The brigade's senior chaplain Reverend Mark Christian said: 'It humbled us that so many people bothered to come out to support us.'
Of the the brigade's losses, he added: 'When you sign up to be a soldier you know the risks. It makes us exceptionally sad, but we respect their sacrifice and take heart that their sacridifce has helped make the world a safer place.'
Sergeant Craig Newton, 33, from the Coldstream Guards which formed part of 11 Light Brigade, said he had been concerned the turnout might not be high because of England's crunch World Cup match.
Warm welcome: The Duchess of Cornwall meets Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff before inspecting troops of 11 Light Brigade
'But the people of Winchester have done us proud,' he said. 'The boys within the Guards are happy to miss the match - the football comes around every four years but a day like today is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
'I didn't expect this many people - it means so much more when the public turn out.'
The new Elizabeth Cross was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 1st July 2009 and is given to the recognised next of kin of members of the British Armed Forces killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack after the Second World War.
After the parade the Duchess attended a private ceremony where she presented the families of two servicemen killed during the tour with the new Elizabeth Cross in recognition of their sacrifice.
Later 1400 people attended a private service of thanksgiving and remembrance in Winchester Cathedral.
Homecoming parade: 650 soldiers of 11 Light Brigade accompanied by three bands march through the City of Winchester in front of the Duchess of Cornwall today
dailymail.co.uk
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