Trooper Ratu Sakeasi Babakobau of the Household Cavalry Regiment was killed on Friday 2nd May 2008 in Helmand, Afghanistan when the vehicle in which he was travelling was hit by a landmine.

His CO said: ""Trooper Ratu Sakeasi Babakobau was an outstanding soldier, who was destined for great things in the Regiment ....... He had excelled himself as a truly versatile Household Cavalryman, rising to become a star of the Mounted Regiment, proving to be one of the best troopers in his squadron."

LCpl Ross of 2 Troop, D Squadron, commented: "He was a great soldier who worked hard in

whatever task that was asked of him. He was proud to be in the Household Cavalry Regiment and he will be missed by all of the Regiment and our thoughts go out to the family."

MoD: Trooper Ratu Sakeasi Babakobau of the Household Cavalry Regiment killed in Helmand

With the British combat operations in Iraq coming to an end today, High Streets across the UK will soon be welcoming home the last troops from Basra, paying tribute to their courage and thanking them for a job well done.

Out of the mess that was the war in Iraq, one thing is certain: the resurgence of the pride that the British people has in its Armed Forces.

The professionalism of our servicemen and women, the heroism and courage displayed in the most challenging of situations, the successes achieved in the numerous combat operations and the sheer logistical achievement of waging

On a visit to the troops in Afghanistan earlier this week, Gordon Brown unfurled for the first time the special flag which will be used to celebrate Armed Forces Day in June this year..

The new annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for the nation to show our support for

To find out about the events already planned in your area, visit the Armed Forces Day website

MoD: Fly the flag for our Armed Forces

Rifleman Paul Donnachie of 2nd Battalion the Rifles was killed in Iraq on Sunday 29th April 2007. He was shot when on patrol in the Al Ashar district of Basra City while providing look out and cover for the others in his section.

His section commander said: " Within a week of his arrival I was sure I'd struck gold with Rifleman Donnachie. He'd do anything for anyone, and there's not much more I could really ask of a Rifleman.... I'll never forget what he did and that he died covering us on the ground."

From his friend, Rifleman Joseph Ciardini: "If I had to describe Donny in few words then I would use brave, random, funny and keen. Donny loved his job, was proud of what he was doing, and made the best of things. We will always remember you, and love you."

MoD: Rifleman Paul Donnachie killed in Iraq

If you want to know what makes a hero, then you should read this month's Soldier magazine.
An article called "Valuing Valour" describes the heroic actions that led to the awarding of gallantry medals to 20 soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Incredible bravery. Read their stories.

Lt Col Nicholas Borton, DSO
Maj Nicholas Calder, MC
2nd Lt Alexander Barclay, MC
A/Capt Russell Archer, MC
Maj Russell Lewis, MC
Sgt Stephen McConnell, MC
Maj Robert Armstrong, MC
Maj Adam Dawson, MC
Cpl Shaun Whitehead, MC
Pte Paul Coleman, MC
Capt Graham Rainey, MC
WO2 Gary O’Donnell, GM
Maj John McDonald, MC
Cpl William Owen, QGM
Rgr Alan Owens, MC
Cpl James Cooke, MC
SSgt Stuart Dickson, GM
Capt Liam Fitzgerald-Finch, QGM
Capt Jeremy Crossley, MC
Sgt Paul Richards, MC

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Mercian Regiment execised their right to march with fixed bayonets through the streets of Dudley yesterday. The Freedom Parade was a way in which the Regiment could say goodbye to the town prior to their relocation to Germany.

Crowds of well-wishers lined the streets, many dressed in red and white in a dual celebration of St George’s Day, to cheer the soldiers who were preceded by a 40-piece marching band and their regimental ram mascot.

The Mayor of Dudley took the salute and said: "We are very proud of our association with the regiment and hope people will share that sense of pride when they see them marching through the town.”

Birmingham Mail: Mercian Regiment given freedom of Dudley

Hundreds of people turned out in Barnstable, north Devon to welcome home more than 600 commandos of the Commando Logistic Regiment after their six month deployment in Helmand, Afghanistan.

Cheering locals, relatives and friends lined the streets of Barnstaple.

The regiment, made up of Royal Navy and Army personnel, lost two men, Cpl Rob Deering and Marine Damian Davies, during the six-month operation. Lt Andy Cheal, spokesman for the regiment, said: "It is so important for everyone - family, friends, colleagues and even people who didn't know our fallen comrades - to really understand that Rob and Damo will never be forgotten. This parade is as much about honouring them as everyone else."

"Every single member of the regiment was overwhelmed by the turnout we saw today. "

Well done, CLR! Well done, Barnstable!

The Sun: Return of the heroes
BBC: Hundreds welcome commandos home

Corporal Damian Mulvihill of 40 Commando Royal Marines was killed on 20th February 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Corporal Mulvihill was leading his section on a patrol near Sangin when he was killed when an IED exploded.

"As a marine, he epitomised the Commando spirit. A courageous and selfless comrade, his cheerfulness in adversity could be guaranteed, and he always demonstrated the very highest standards of professional competence in everything that he undertook."

"He loved the Royal Marines and was looking to move to Commando Training Centre on completion of the tour so he could pass on his wealth of experience and knowledge to recruits. His troop and I will endeavour to follow his example and carry on the high traditions of the Royal Marines that he was so proud of."

MoD: Corporal Damian Mulvihill killed in Afghanistan
ITN: Hundreds mourn marine killed in action
Plymouth Barbarians: Damian Mulvihill

www.DamianMulvihill.co.uk

For the second year running Oxfordshire County Council have put aside £100,000 for the benefit of service personnel living in the county.

The main purpose of the fund is to help servicemen and women and their families during the transition from military to civilian life. The money also helps to meet the costs of staging homecoming parades and medal

ceremonies: last year, for example, OCC supported the highly successful Didcot parade when hundreds of local people turned out to salute 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, RLC on their return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The fund was also used for improvements at RAF Benson and RAF Brize Norton and at Army sites in Abingdon, Bicester and Didcot, including the refurbishment of community centres used by military families.

Council leader Keith Mitchell said: “Last year’s £100,000 will have made a small difference to their day-to-day lives and will have helped with the all-important recognition that is afforded by homecoming parades and the like. However, every little helps and we have decided to repeat the funding as a token of the gratitude people feel for the efforts of our locally-based armed forces.”

A Southend resident commented: "It's good to see Council Tax being spent on something worthwhile for a change; here in Southend it just used to line the pockets of private consultants."

Nice one, Oxford!

Oxford Mail: Fund helps out forces families

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment will hold a homecoming parade in the centre of Lincoln on March 12th.

The Battalion returned last October from their second six-month tour in Iraq where they did a great job training local Iraqi security forces; the success of their efforts can be judged by the political and economic stability that has returned to the Basra region in recent months.

The guys are sure to get a great welcome from people of their home town on March 12th.

"Our soldiers have sacrificed much in that war-torn country and deserve to be recognised by their local community for doing a difficult and dangerous job, thoroughly professionally, on behalf of the country."

Welcome home, lads! Job done!

Lincolnshire Echo: Line the streets for homecoming parade

to him. In Corporal Lawrence's death, the Battalion has been robbed of a first rate commander and a good friend, taken all too early when he had so, so much else to live for. "
"I wouldn't say we lived out of each others pockets but we knew where we were if we needed each other. When we did see each other we would always have a laugh and a joke which would normally be at my expense. What I would give for that now; the memories will stay. You'll be missed mate."

MoD: Corporal Damian Stephen Lawrence killed in Afghanistan
Whitby Gazette: Leave your tributes to Corporal Damian Lawrence
Scarborough Evening News: Soldier Damian has funeral for a hero

The
Heart of England's Infantry

3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment will be holding a KAPE (Keeping the Army in the Public Eye) tour across Staffordshire next week.

Freedom Parades will be held:
16th February - Newcastle-Under-Lyme
18th February - Sandwell (West Bromwich)
19th February - Burton-upon-Trent
21st February - Stoke-on-Trent

A parade and civic reception will be held at each venue and a regimental information team will be on hand to chat to residents about Army life and show them weapons and military equipment. A Warrior tank will also be on display.

The Mercian Regiment, formerly The Staffordshire Regiment has a distinguished history going back some 300 years.

The 3rd Battalion, known as the Staffords, are sure to get a hearty welcome from the local Staffordshire people.

Army.MoD: 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords)

It was only a week ago that Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth was promising the families of those who have lost loved ones in Iraq that the Memorial to their sons and daughters would definitely be coming home to the UK.

This promise had already been made by Gordon Brown last December when he visited the Basra Memorial Wall to lay a wreath in memory of the 178 servicemen and women who had died in Iraq.
Despite these assurances the MoD reported on its blog today that: "There has been no decision about final arrangements for memorials in Iraq, either in Basra or in the UK." Does this ambiguous statement mean that the Memorial may be left behind in Basra after all?

The MoD professes that it "takes its obligation to support families of those who have lost loved ones in conflicts very seriously". We can only hope that the only decision that hasn't been made is about where in the UK the Basra Memorial will finally be re-erected and not whether it will be brought home at all.

In an article in the Daily Telegraph Bob Ainsworth also promised that the families of those killed in Iraq will get Government help to visit where their loved ones died. But here again the MoD is putting a different spin on things by saying: "Mr Ainsworth discussed the options that could become available in the future for loved ones to visit, once the security situation has improved sufficiently. The appropriate support we could provide would need to be assessed across Government nearer this time."

The Minister for Defence and the Ministry of Defence seem to be saying different things. Promises or compromises? The MoD has certainly muddied the waters on what appeared to be clear commitments.

MoD: Defence in the Media 9 February 2009

The Telegraph: Families of British servicemen killed in Iraq to get Government help to visit country
also
UKNIWM: Basra Memorial to Iraq Casualties to come home with Troops