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| 600 soldiers returning from Iraq | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| About 600 soldiers from across the North West are to return home after a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq. | |
| During their time there the 2nd battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's regiment was responsible for arresting and detaining rogue militia. | During their time there the 2nd battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's regiment was responsible for arresting and detaining rogue militia. |
| Eight soldiers from the battalion have been killed while in Iraq. | Eight soldiers from the battalion have been killed while in Iraq. |
| Lt Col Mark Kenyon said he was "immensely proud" of the soldiers who he said had "endured one of toughest deployments since the war." | |
| About 600 men from the 2nd Battalion, which recruits from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester will be heading home over the weekend. | About 600 men from the 2nd Battalion, which recruits from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester will be heading home over the weekend. |
| The army said the battalion had been very successful and had struck more than 100 buildings across the south of Iraq and detained 79 key suspects. | The army said the battalion had been very successful and had struck more than 100 buildings across the south of Iraq and detained 79 key suspects. |
| 'Significant' operations | 'Significant' operations |
| Days before their tour was completed the troops supported Army Special Forces on a "significant" operation targeting top level criminals and militia leaders. | Days before their tour was completed the troops supported Army Special Forces on a "significant" operation targeting top level criminals and militia leaders. |
| The 600 Officers and Kingsmen conducted strike operations in Basra city and the force said they were frequently attacked by gunfire, rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs. | The 600 Officers and Kingsmen conducted strike operations in Basra city and the force said they were frequently attacked by gunfire, rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs. |
| The eight soldiers killed during those attacks were Kingsman Jamie Hancock, 19; Sgt Graham Hesketh, 35; Kingsman Alex Green, 21; 2nd Lt Jonathan Bracho-Cooke,24; Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28; Kingsman Adam Smith,19; 2nd Lt Joanna Dyer, 24 and Kingsman Alan Jones, 20. | The eight soldiers killed during those attacks were Kingsman Jamie Hancock, 19; Sgt Graham Hesketh, 35; Kingsman Alex Green, 21; 2nd Lt Jonathan Bracho-Cooke,24; Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28; Kingsman Adam Smith,19; 2nd Lt Joanna Dyer, 24 and Kingsman Alan Jones, 20. |
| A number of other soldiers were injured and are now recovering in the UK. | A number of other soldiers were injured and are now recovering in the UK. |