SOLDIERS from Essex-based 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment have returned from a six-month tour of duty in northern Helmand, Afghanistan.The regiment has suffered more losses than any other serving there.
Fifteen soldiers, among then Lance Corporal Nicky Mason from Aveley, who were members of 2 Para, or were attached to the unit, died fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan in the past six months.
The regiment have announced that a service to commemorate soldiers who lost their lives will take place on Thursday this week.
Major Russell Lewis said it was incredibly difficult for the soldiers to cope with the losses: "I've lost four and the battle group has lost significantly more."
Major Russell Lewis said the soldiers would be remembered on Thursday.
"We lost three in one go to a suicide bomber and that was just an awful day, but it's amazing how the guys deal with it," he said.
"We had a night of grieving and the next day we were back out there.
"We had to, but I think that was what we wanted to do for our comrades - we are paratroopers and we go straight back out there and take the fight to the enemy.
"To some extent we've been so busy we had to put these things to one side to crack on with our job and that's what Thursday's about, it is almost the proper grieving process now that we're home."
Thurrock Patriot
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