Soldiers return from Afghanistan

The new regiment is based in Staffordshire

Ninety-six soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) are expected to arrive home.

The troops are flying back to the Midlands in a move which marks the beginning of the new regiment's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The troops will be without nine of their colleagues who died in action.

Major Bob Prophet, the Regimental Secretary, said it will be a time for reflection for the soldiers.

The soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan in May.

Major Prophet said each of the nine deaths had "hit the whole battalion extremely hard".

"But without wishing to be callous, they have to get on with the job," he said.

Regiments merged

He added: "They will undoubtedly grieve much more when they are back and they have time to think about it, but while they are in Afghanistan - no they get on with the job."

Three historic regiments merged as part of the British Army's infantry restructuring plans to make the new Mercian regiment in August.

The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, the Staffordshire Regiment and the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters combined as the Mercian Regiment.

The new regiment's headquarters are at Whittington Barracks, Staffordshire.

A total of 82 British troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001.