Four soldiers returned home today from Afghanistan.They had given their lives for their country. Local people and people from around the country turned out in their hundreds in Wootton Bassett to honour the soldiers as they passed through the village. But was Brown there? And were Ainsworth and Miliband there? No, of course not. They were busy scheming back in Whitehall, working out how they can deny the injured their compensation. General Dannatt has stood with the people on Wootton Bassett high street to pay his respects to the fallen. But you won't find a minister there. But then that's probably a good thing. Who would want to stand alongside them?

R.i.P.

Rifleman Aminiasi Toge of 2nd Battalion The Rifles
Cpl Joseph Etchells of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Capt Daniel Shepherd of 11 EODl Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Guardsman Christopher King of 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards

BBC: Hundreds honour fallen soldiers
The Sun: Four heroes return home

Soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment were cheered by hundreds of well-wishers when they marched through the streets of two English cities yesterday.

In Peterborough 150 soldiers from 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers) exercised their Freedom of the City when they marched with fixed bayonets and flags flying through the city centre to a parade in front of the Cathedral.

Peterborough Telegraph: Anglian regiment given freedom of the city
Peterborough telegraph: So much to thank our volunteers for
Peterborough Telegraph: Video: Anglians have freedom of city

Northampton Chronicle: Public line the streets to say farewell to regiment
Northampton Chronicle: Parade is a 'morale booster after Iraq'
BBC: Talavera March (photo gallery)

Rifleman James Backhouse was one of the five soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Rifles who were killed in Afghanistan on 10th July. Today tribute was paid to him at a charity rugby match in his home town. The game, between Castleford Tigers and a team of Army veterans, was held to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Rifleman Backhouse's funeral will take place on Monday. He was 18.

BBC: Tribute to soldier at rugby game
Pontefract & Castleford Express: Parents pay tribute to 'hero' Rifleman James Backhouse
MoD: Cpl Jonathan Horne, Rfn William Aldridge, Rfn James Backhouse, Rfn Joseph Murphy and Rfn Daniel Simpson of 2 RIFLES killed in Afghanistan

Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, aged 22, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday 25th July 2007. L/Cpl Hawkins was returning to base near Sangin with his patrol when his Vector was hit by a mine. he sadly later died from the wounds he received.

His CO said: "Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins was one of the most promising soldiers of his generation. A natural leader and trained sniper he was a superb example to others and highly respected throughout the Vikings. He leaves behind some fond memories and a lasting legacy that we will all strive to live up to. Never to be forgotten, he will go down in Regimental history as a true professional and close friend who we feel privileged to have served and fought with."

His friend Lance Corporal Craig Rouse, said: "Any soldier in the British Army would have been honoured to have him fight by his side. He will be sorely missed. Recruits passing out of training should model themselves on him. He was a model soldier."

MoD: L/Cpl Alex Hawkins 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment killed in Afghanistan
Lasting Tribute: Alex Hawkins
The Telegraph:A season muted by loss for soldiers, families

The 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment is in the process of holding a series of homecoming/freedom parades in six Yorkshire cities - York, Harrogate, Hull, Beverly, Leeds and Rotherham - to mark their return from operations in Iraq (OP TELIC 13) and Kosovo (Operation OCULUS).

Members of the Battalion were amongst the last combat troops to withdraw from southern Iraq (Operation TELIC 13). Individuals were also present who recently served in Afghanistan and had received their campaign medals at last week's Medals Parade at their base in Germany.

Crowds cheered the guys yesterday as they marched through York and Harrogate. Tomorrow the residents of Hull and Beverly will have their chance to show their support for their local lads and on Friday it will be Leeds' turn. The ceremonials will be rounded off on 3rd August when the Regiment will receive the Freedom of the Borough of Rotherham.

Well done, 1YORKS!

BBC: Parades mark soldiers' homecoming
The Yorkshire Regiment: Parades and Ceremonials