Fallen heroes

For, when Lance Bombardier Parkinson became the most severely injured soldier ever to survive his injuries, it was predicted that he would never walk or talk again, never mind greet his mother on new legs.

His heroism, however, is also a stark reminder, on the weekend when the bodies of six British soldiers were returned from Afghanistan, of the terrible price that troops are continuing to pay.

This is a price of which the dead men’s colleagues in 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment will need no reminding, however, as they prepare to fly out to Helmand Province for a gruelling nine-month deployment.

For, in spite of the plans for British withdrawal, the grim reality is that the roll call of fallen heroes will continue to grow.