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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Medals parade as soldiers return | Medals parade as soldiers return |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| After six months in Afghanistan, the soldiers of 38 Engineer Regiment are returning to Massereene Barracks in Antrim. | |
| Soldiers will receive their operation medals at a ceremony on Saturday and parade through the town. | |
| Hours before they were due to be deployed in March, Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar were killed in a dissident republican attack. | |
| One sapper died during the tour, as well as an explosives expert. | One sapper died during the tour, as well as an explosives expert. |
| The parade will go from Antrim town to the barracks. | The parade will go from Antrim town to the barracks. |
| Speaking ahead of the parade, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis said he was immensely proud of the soldiers under his command. | Speaking ahead of the parade, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis said he was immensely proud of the soldiers under his command. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis paid tribute to his soldiers | Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis paid tribute to his soldiers |
| "It takes men and women of genuine character and real fortitude to stick to a task as daunting as the one we have faced since March," he said. | "It takes men and women of genuine character and real fortitude to stick to a task as daunting as the one we have faced since March," he said. |
| "I am immensely proud of each and every officer and soldier that has dealt with adversity head on. | "I am immensely proud of each and every officer and soldier that has dealt with adversity head on. |
| "It was never going to be easy but it became even more of a challenge when, with part of the regiment already in Afghanistan, dissident republicans launched an attack on our base in Massereene Barracks, Antrim. | "It was never going to be easy but it became even more of a challenge when, with part of the regiment already in Afghanistan, dissident republicans launched an attack on our base in Massereene Barracks, Antrim. |
| "Sappers Pat Azimkar and Mark Quinsey were murdered whilst two other soldiers along with two civilian delivery drivers were seriously injured. | "Sappers Pat Azimkar and Mark Quinsey were murdered whilst two other soldiers along with two civilian delivery drivers were seriously injured. |
| "An incalculably tragic, barbaric and ultimately futile act, it served only to stiffen our resolve to improve, rather than shorten, the lives of other people." | "An incalculably tragic, barbaric and ultimately futile act, it served only to stiffen our resolve to improve, rather than shorten, the lives of other people." |
| During their six months in Afghanistan the regiment constructed 13 bridges and 58 new bases as well as protective walls in support of the battle groups comprising 19 Light Brigade, including Operation Panther's Claw. | During their six months in Afghanistan the regiment constructed 13 bridges and 58 new bases as well as protective walls in support of the battle groups comprising 19 Light Brigade, including Operation Panther's Claw. |
| "But all of this has come at a human cost and we will never forget Sapper Jordan Rossi of Bradford and Captain Daniel Shepherd of Lincoln who laid down their lives so that others may keep theirs," Lt Col Lewis said. | "But all of this has come at a human cost and we will never forget Sapper Jordan Rossi of Bradford and Captain Daniel Shepherd of Lincoln who laid down their lives so that others may keep theirs," Lt Col Lewis said. |