Soldiers receive gallantry awards

More than 40 military honours are to be given to servicemen and women from the East of England who recently returned from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Parachute Regiment, based in Essex, is to receive 22 awards, including four Military Crosses.

Another 10 honours will be given to 23 Engineer Regiment, which is based in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Military Cross recipient Major Stuart McDonald, of 3 Para, said the honours recognised all those who served.

He said: "It's really in recognition of the men that were there during that time because, let's be honest, if the men weren't superb to a man we wouldn't be here today."

'Much success'

The honours for gallantry and meritorious service predominantly went to the 16 Air Assault Brigade Task Force, which deployed to Afghanistan in 2008.

The brigade was the first to return to Afghanistan's Helmand province for a second tour.

An army spokesman said: "Their professional, well-trained, well-led, well-supported and well-equipped soldiers achieved much success in a very challenging operational environment, keeping us on track to deliver our objectives in Helmand, and Afghanistan more widely."

Apache helicopter crews from Wattisham, Suffolk, are due to receive service medals following their first tour of Afghanistan.

About 100 pilots and ground crew from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at the base near Ipswich, will receive their medals from General Sir Richard Dannatt, the army's Chief of the General Staff.

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Four members of the Colchester-based Parachute Regiment were awarded the Military Cross