By Martin Patience BBC News Despite festive celebrations, it remains business as usual for our troopsChristmas celebrations have been muted at the operational HQ for British forces in Helmand province after the death of a Royal Marine Commando on Christmas Eve.
British troops abroad have been taking part in traditional Christmas festivities. BBC correspondents Martin Patience was with them in Afghanistan, while Caroline Wyatt was in Iraq.
Helmand province, Afghanistan
Despite festive celebrations, it remains business as usual for our troops
Christmas celebrations have been muted at the operational HQ for British forces in Helmand province after the death of a Royal Marine Commando on Christmas Eve.
The incident took place to the north west of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, where British forces were conducting an operation.
The incident took place to the north west of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, where British forces were conducting an operation.
At a midnight Christmas Eve service held in large tent, kitted with rows of benches and a nativity scene, the padre asked the congregation to pray for the fallen marineâs family.
At a midnight Christmas Eve service held in large tent, kitted with rows of benches and a nativity scene, the padre asked the congregation to pray for the fallen marineâs family.
During the service, British servicemen and women sang hymns and carols - the organ music provided by an iPod and speakers â before taking sips of mulled wine.
During the service, British servicemen and women sang hymns and carols - the organ music provided by an iPod and speakers â before taking sips of mulled wine.
Around the base today there have been snatches of Christmas â an armoured vehicle with a sliver of tinsel attached to its antennae, the odd inflatable snowman propped up against a tent.
Around the base today there have been snatches of Christmas â an armoured vehicle with a sliver of tinsel attached to its antennae, the odd inflatable snowman propped up against a tent.
Some of the British forces have also been sporting red Santa Claus hats.
Some of the British forces have also been sporting red Santa Claus hats.
Backbreaking work
Backbreaking work
The campâs servicemen in charge of the post have endured some backbreaking work, lugging at least sixty sacks of parcels into their office, where they are sorted and then distributed to the troops.
The campâs servicemen in charge of the post have endured some backbreaking work, lugging at least 60 sacks of parcels into their office, where they are sorted and then distributed to the troops.
Other than family and friends, many of the parcels have been sent by unknown well-wishers.
Other than family and friends, many of the parcels have been sent by unknown well-wishers.
At lunch - in keeping with tradition - officers served up a traditional Christmas dinner to the rank-and-file.
At lunch - in keeping with tradition - officers served up a traditional Christmas dinner to the rank-and-file.
There were Christmas crackers and party poppers lain on the tables leading to the odd joke about âfriendly fireâ when they were shot in various peopleâs direction.
There were Christmas crackers and party poppers lain on the tables leading to the odd joke about âfriendly fireâ when they were shot in various peopleâs direction.
Across the province it is a beautiful winterâs day but very much business as normal for the British forces here.
Across the province it is a beautiful winterâs day but very much business as normal for the British forces here.
The patrols are still patrolling, and the threats remain as deadly as ever â Christmas or not.
The patrols are still patrolling, and the threats remain as deadly as ever â Christmas or not.
Do you have a Christmas message for any of the troops serving abroad? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below:In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Basra, Iraq
Troops in Basra are looking forward to returning to the UK next year
British forces are spending what should be be their last Christmas Day in Iraq.
Last week Gordon Brown promised that all troops would pull out by the end of July next year.
Some 4,000 servicemen and women are stationed in the south of the country, most of them at the airbase outside Basra.
As the day dawned, the commanding officer of the 5th Battalion The Rifles flew by helicopter over the marshlands that surround Basra to deliver letters and parcels to his men working at the operating bases which are outside the air station.
In a Christmas tradition, he also brought tea laced with rum; a concoction known as gunfire to wake his men up on the festive morning.
For Rifleman Sean Twigg it was a way of keeping his spirits up on a day spent far away from family and friends.
Traditions
"I'm hoping to get in touch with my parents and my wife who, in the next couple of days will find out if we're having a girl or a boy, she's pregnant so it's a big Christmas for me", he said.
Back at Basra air station many sat down to a turkey lunch with all the trimmings.
The men were served by the officers as part of another Christmas tradition.
Cpl Neil Moore found it particularly tough to be away from home today.
He still has not yet seen his nine-day-old son Jacob.
For Cpl Moore, as for many others here, the knowledge that this is the British forces' last Christmas here in Iraq comes as a relief.
He said: "We can't wait to see the end of it.
"We got the Americans coming in, take us off.
"We've seen the end of Ireland , this is the end of Iraq for us and we really can't wait to see the end of it."
For many of the servicemen and women here this is just another working day.
Most most remain in good spirits, celebrating a Christmas that marks the beginning of the end for Britain's deployment in Iraq.
Do you have a Christmas message for any of the troops serving abroad? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below:In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
