Mothers complete memorial journey

Cpl Darren Bonner, left, and Private Chris Gray died in action

The mothers of Royal Anglian soldiers killed in Afghanistan have completed a 100-mile walk in their honour.

They have already raised £20,000 to help fund a memorial statue and help the rehabilitation of soldiers injured in last year's Afghanistan tour.

The mothers of the nine dead Vikings set off on 7 July from Brookwood Military Cemetery Pirbright, Surrey, on the "100 miles for nine smiles" trek.

They arrived in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday.

Military commentators have said the tour of Afghanistan was one of the toughest in the regiment's 43-year history.

Lt Col Stuart Carver said: "There will not be a town in East Anglia that does not know someone who has been injured."

The money will fund a bronze statue and provide support to injured soldiers

The battalion, recruited from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, was awarded an unprecedented haul of medals - 78 in total.

They include six military crosses, a distinguished service order and many commendations for gallantry.

Prince Charles was among those to have sent a cheque in support of the fund.

The walk was the idea of Christine Bonner, from Cambridgeshire, whose son Darren, known as Big Daz, was killed by a landmine in Helmand Province.

The Royal Anglian Memorial Fund has already raised almost £350,000.

The nine 1st Battalion Royal Anglians who died in Afghanistan last year were Cpl Darren Bonner; Pte Chris Gray; L/Cpl Alex Hawkins; L/Cpl George Davey; Pte Robert Foster; Pte Aaron McClure; Pte John Thrumble; Capt David Hicks; Pte Tony Rawson.