Fitaloon at MicroShaft

Hundreds of soldiers from the 3 Rifles and 1 Scots have marched in Edinburgh after returning from Afghanistan.

They were taking part in a homecoming parade on the Royal Mile to thank the public for their support, before being presented with their service medals.

The Edinburgh-based troops were deployed to Helmand in October 2009.

During the six-month tour the 1,400-strong battlegroup lost 30 members, the biggest loss of life in a battlegroup for 60 years.

The troops marched from the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, past some bereaved families and injured colleagues who were unable to march.

The 650 soldiers paraded down the Royal Mile, accompanied by pipes and drums. Princess Alexandra received a royal salute outside the city chambers.

The battlegroup, from B Company of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and 3 Battalion The Rifles, were also being presented with their operational service medals at Redford Barracks.

Lt Col Nick Kitson, the commanding officer of 3 Rifles, said he believed the public recognised the job they were doing.

He said: “People are really beginning to get a great understanding of what we’re doing and what the sacrifices are and really getting behind us.

“There’s no greater evidence of that than the way the city of Edinburgh has already looked after us and afforded us the wonderful privilege of marching down the Royal Mile.”

Maj Dickie Head said the losses in Afghanistan were difficult but their mission carried on.

He said: “As far as we’re concerned we’re there doing a job, as you can imagine the casualties have a significant impact, they do make you perhaps pause and think.

“But you’ve also got to realise when you’re in amongst it and making it happen you’ve got to think about fighting the battle day-by-day.”

Maj Head said this meant continuing the struggle against insurgent forces while working to win over the local population, a challenge which he said was making progress.

Dedicated memorial

Thousands of people also lined the streets of the city on Friday as the battlegroup paid tribute to their comrades who had been killed while serving in Afghanistan.

More than 400 soldiers marched from Redford Barracks to a memorial service in Colinton Parish Church, accompanied by the Band and Bugles of the Rifles and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Some of the soldiers bore injuries suffered while fighting in Afghanistan.

A memorial at Redford Barracks has also been dedicated to soldiers killed while serving in Afghanistan.

In Perth, a day of celebrations was being held to mark the awarding of the freedom of the city to the 7th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Territorial Army Battalion.

BBC News – Edinburgh homecoming parade

Corporal Johnathan Moore and Private Sean McDonald

The MOD has named the two Scots soldiers killed in Afghanistan.  The MOD reports:

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must name Corporal John Moore and Private Sean McDonald The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, who were killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 7 February 2010.

Corporal Johnathan Moore

Corporal John Moore, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Corporal Johnathan Moore was born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on 2 July 1987. He went to Hamilton Grammar School before enlisting and going to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2004.

He completed a years training, designed to promote junior leadership, before going to the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick for his phase two, infantry specific, training. He joined The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in March 2005 and since then has been on two tours of Iraq.

Corporal Moore deployed as a Section Commander with B Company, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, to Sangin in October 2009.

His company is operating mainly from Patrol Base Wishtan in the Sangin area of Helmand Province, and has been conducting operations to provide security and development to the local nationals, whom they live amongst.

Corporal Moore was commanding his section on a routine night patrol to the south of the Company Base on the evening of the 7 February when an IED detonated killing him and his lead man.

Private Sean McDonald

Private Sean McDonald, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Private Sean McDonald was born in Toronto on 5 October 1983. He attended Currie Community High School in Edinburgh before enlisting into the Army and joining the Army Foundation College in Harrogate at the age of 16.

Following a year’s initial training, he completed his Infantry phase two training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick. He joined his Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in 2001 and has since been on three tours of Iraq, and has also served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

Private McDonald deployed with B Company, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group on 2 October 2009. His Company is operating mainly from Patrol Base Wishtan in the Sangin District of Helmand Province, which previously saw significant activity over the summer of 2009.

Private McDonald, as a senior soldier, was responsible for clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices to allow both ISAF and local nationals to walk the streets without fear of death or serious injury.

Private McDonald was on a routine night patrol providing security to the local people when an IED detonated, killing him and his commander.

He leaves behind his wife Jennifer, his mother Jacqueline and his brother, Darryle McDonald, and his sister, Ceilidh Spratt.

May they Rest in Peace.

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Military Operations | Corporal Johnathan Moore and Private Sean McDonald killed in Afghanistan.

Always and Forever

The MOD is reporting the sad news of the deaths of two soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, in an explosion near Sangin. Apparently these deaths are not connected with the current major attack in Helmand.

The MOD has this:

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that two soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, were killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Sunday 7 February 2010.

The soldiers died as a result of an explosion near Sangin, in Helmand province, yesterday evening.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said:

“It is with deep sadness I must inform you that two British soldiers were killed last night by an explosion near Sangin in northern Helmand.

“They were from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, and were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people near Patrol Base Wishtan when the explosion caught them.

“Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten.”

Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

Please note that the deaths of these two soldiers are not connected to Operation MOSHTARAK.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of the dead.

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Military Operations | Two soldiers from 1 SCOTS killed in Afghanistan.