Tears and cheers as heroes return

Hundreds lined the streets of Huddersfield to clap and to cheer the men and women of Corunna Company, of the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment.

The Corunna Company, named in honour of a battle in 1809 against Napoleon’s forces, endured a tough six-month tour in which six of its men, three of them from Huddersfield, were killed in an explosion in March.

For Major Ed Colver, officer commanding Corunna Company, it was a day to thank the people of Huddersfield and Yorkshire for their support.

“It’s always great to come back to West Yorkshire where the roots of our Regiment are. We expected a few people to come out but we really didn’t expect what we have got today. I want to thank the people of Huddersfield and Kirklees.”

The homecoming parade was a special day for the soldiers, he said.

“It means everything to them. They have been looking forward to this since we got back; it gives them recognition that they have done a superb job and what they have achieved has not gone unrecognised.”

He added: “We lost six people from the Company; it happened extremely early on in our tour. We didn’t think something of that magnitude would happen. We had to show resolve to get on and do what we trained to do, otherwise our heroes would have died in vain.”

The crowds who lined the streets included ex-service personnel as well as students, retired people and shoppers who stopped to show their respect.

Former soldier Colin Wade, 73, from Huddersfield, said: “They are doing a great job, although they shouldn’t be there because it (Afghanistan) will just revert back to what it was so these lads are getting killed for nothing.”

Other people made similar comments.

Anne Hall, a private tutor from the town, waved a Union flag as the soldiers passed. “I support and have empathy with them but I have always believed that we should not be there,” she said. “I think when the Afghan security forces turn on our men we are on a hiding to nothing. I think they have got an inscrutable enemy and we should have them home.”

The Mayor of Kirklees, David Ridgway, told the soldiers the whole town was proud of them.

“It is you who have done all the hard graft and I feel humble in your presence. We are all so very proud of you all...you have served your country with dedication and dignity, you are such brave people. We are Yorkshire people and you are the Yorkshire Regiment – we salute you and thank you.”

Lt Col Nigel Rhodes told onlookers it was good to know the Regiment was so well supported. “It is always a proud moment returning to what we consider is our home,” he added.

There were tears among the crowd as Lt Col Rhodes read aloud the names of Yorkshire Regiment men who had fallen in Afghanistan.

Among those who were mourning their loss was Emma Hickman, 19, whose fiance, Pte Daniel Wade, 20, died in March in the devastating bomb attack which claimed six men. She and others wore a pink and black hoodie top bearing the words ‘our hero’, with his name and photo on the front.

Her daughter, Lexie Mai, never got to meet her dad, though colleagues said he had often spoken of his joy and excitement at his impending fatherhood. His photo was proudly displayed on the tiny white T-Shirt she wore, carrying the words ‘My Daddy’.

Miss Hickman said she was proud to be part of the day, and pleased so many people had turned out to honour the troops.

The family of Huddersfield soldier Pte Tom Wroe, 18, who was killed last month along with Sgt Gareth Thursby, 29, when they were shot by a rogue Afghan policeman, also watched the parade.

Tom’s father Mick, who attended with wife Claire and Tom’s sister Demi, said: “We’re all so proud of our boys, and this just shows it. It’s great that the whole community has come together for this.”

Lt Col Rhodes thanked the crowds for their support, and asked for a moment’s silence.

The band of the King’s Division led the troops to Huddersfield Parish Church for a private service.