Poignant ceremony honours troops who had harrowing tour of Afghanistan

The 120 troops were at Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire to receive their medals for the six-month operational tour during which more than 50 soldiers lost their lives.

The Red Caps, who are based at Catterick Garrison and are part of the Royal Military Police, were given a rousing reception yesterday from hundreds of wellwishers who had gathered around Richmond's Market Square.

The soldiers were applauded as they marched out of the castle following the medal ceremony to Richmond Town Hall, where a civic reception was held.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "It was an emotional event as it gave the soldiers a chance to reflect on the tour of duty they had just served, as well as remembering their fallen comrades who have not returned home."

The Red Caps are members of 150 Provost Company Royal Military Police and were deployed to Task Force Helmand on Operation Herrick 12 under the command of Headquarters 4th Mechanized Brigade between April and October.

They were presented with their operational medals yesterday by the Mayor of Richmond Town Council, Coun Barry Heap, Colonel Ian Prosser and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, Major Peter Scrope.

Meanwhile, four teams of Armed Forces personnel set off yesterday on a 1,000-mile speed march in aid of the Royal British Legion.

The seven-day March For Honour hopes to raise 1m and teams from the Army, RAF, Navy and Royal Marines set out yesterday from different locations.

They are due to unite on Tuesday at Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire and then march into London for the Festival of Remembrance at The Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Day.