Families' special Remembrance Day

By Deborah McGurran Political Editor BBC East

Nigel and his wife are awaiting the birth of their first child but he has to return to Kandahar in a few days

Remembrance Day this year is particularly special for many who have just welcomed their loved ones home.

Communities across our region are, this week, marking the sacrifices made by our Service men and women.

Remembrance Sunday is traditionally the day to remember all those who have given their lives for this country.

It is held, not only in recognition of the contribution made by the regular army but that of reservists as well.

In recent years, as Britain's commitment in conflicts in Iraq and now Afghanistan have increased, so to has the contribution from the volunteers.

Of the 500 reservists stationed in Afghanistan, more than 100 are from our region.

East Territorial Army in Afghanistan A fifth of the reservists in Afghanistan are from our region The majority, around 65, are Royal Anglians 26 are from Royal Auxiliaries from RAFs Honington and Marham More than 10 are from the Medical Corps Around 11 are from Wattisham's Army Air Corps

This region has more serving members of the reservists than any other, so the government's retreat on a proposed £20m cut in the Territorial Army's training budget was particularly welcome here.

One in 20 soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan are from the TA.

This week the Light Dragoons returned to Norfolk, after six hard months hard fighting in Helmand.

Part-time reservist, Nigel Lungenmuss-Ward is enjoying a few days at home in Lowestoft before deploying back to Kandahar for the rest of his six month tour - a world away from his job as a manager at Tesco's.

His wife, Jenna, was due to give birth on the day of his homecoming but with Nigel due back in Afghanistan in a few days, time isn't on their side.

Under huge pressure, last week, the Prime Minister was forced to make a U-turn on the government's proposed £20m cut to the TA's training budget; much to the relief of the region's three and a half thousand reservists.

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