'Inspirational' Marines back home

Marines are looking forward to two months leave

The first members of Plymouth-based 42 Commando Royal Marines were described as "inspirational" after arriving home from service in Afghanistan.

Seventy Royal Marines returned to their Bickleigh barracks on Friday after a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

They were part of joint operations in the Helmand province.

Commanding Officer, Lt Col Matt Holmes said: "The lads were inspirational, repeatedly going into action after seeing colleagues injured."

The Marines had been involved in attempts to clear the Sangin area of Taleban fighters.

Four marines from 42 Commando were killed during the deployment.

Lt Col Holmes said: "This is a high intensity counter-insurgency where casualties are expected.

"We must not forget there are four lads who will not return home and our thoughts are with their families and loved ones.

"They died showing true professionalism and courage on a daily basis - which is all I can expect of Royal Marine Commandos."

More than 500 members of 42 Commando left their Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth in October last year.

Seventy members of the unit have come back in a phased return by Plymouth's 3 Commando Brigade.

We took the fight to the Taleban in their backyard Lt Col Matt Holmes

They are being relieved by the Army's 12 Mechanised Brigade.

Those that died from 42 Commando were Richard Watson, 23, Thomas Curry, 25, Benjamin Reddy, 22, and Scott Summers, 23.

Lt Col Holmes added: "The Taleban were bold at times, but no match for highly trained Royal Marines.

"We took the fight to the Taleban in their backyard and in their sanctuary.

"We operated in terrain they know inside out and where they thought they were safe, but we put them on the back foot and made it less likely a Taleban spring offensive would be launched."