Warminster welcomes home 3 Yorks servicemen (From Wiltshire Times)

Warminster welcomes home 3 Yorks servicemen

8:54pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in Latest News

Tears and cheers met the return of heroic soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment as they were reunited with their families in Warminster last night following a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan.

On an overcast evening, a golden sunset shined through the grey clouds as three buses carrying 98 members of Corunna Company returned to a loud roar from the crowd of hundreds eager to see their loved ones again at Battlesbury Barracks which was plastered with welcome home banners and balloons.
 

Based near Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province the company was the first from the battalion to deploy with an emotional Valentine’s Day send-off in February.
 

Once off the buses, company commander Major Ed Colver guided the troops as they paraded through the barracks up to the car park of the Mess, to their proud onlooking families.
 

Major Colver, who was reunited with his wife Lisa, son Hugo and daughter Philippa said: “Obviously the whole company feel fantastic to be home and we’ve had a great welcome from everybody today.
 

“It has been a long seven months and we suffered great tragedy early on which we have all pondered for a long time.”
 

On March 6, six soldiers from the company died when their Warrior armoured vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device and Major Colver said his sympathies were with the families who couldn’t welcome their loved ones home.
 

Since, the deaths of Sergeant Nigel Coupe, from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, and Corporal Jake Hartley, Private Anthony Frampton, Private Christopher Kershaw, Private Daniel Wade and Private Daniel Wilford, all from 3 Yorks, residents of Warminster have raised £11,300 towards a memorial which will be erected at the barracks.
 

The remainder of the battalion will return to Battlesbury Barracks on October 26 and then a march through Warminster paying tribute to the support of people from the town will be taking place on November 30.
 

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