British Public apathetic about returning troops

[qaborg]

I have read in a couple of news story that the british people are apathetic about returning troops in my local town Abingdon the photo below shows the Royal Logistic Corps using their right to march though Abingdon where are the crowds??

There was nothing in the local paper if I knew this was going to happen as I would of been there

http://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/images/07100608.jpg (http://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/images/07100608.jpg)

Same happen to the Somme Company, of the London Regiment as the photos show

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/10/14/parade/p4.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/10/14/parade/p5.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/14/nparade114.xml

The is a video on CNN called "British troops homecoming"
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#

I wish the British media would start backing are troops more, instead off having ago at them, the americans have got it right by backing the their troops all the time

[EsoognomEhT]

****e aint it.

However from one of Somme Coy;


Despite the fact that portions of the media (e.g. The Sun) tried to make it into a "public not supporting the Army" story, the event was never intended as a parade through the streets with cheering crowds. It was a homecoming and medal parade aimed at the soldiers of Somme and their families, and they had a great day.

http://www.channel4.com/player/v2/player.jsp?showId=9650

http://www.itvlocal.com/london/news/?player=LON_News_26&void=107743

[wotsnext]

My boy arrived back from Afghanistan today. Its been a long 7 months. Cant Wait to see him.

[EsoognomEhT]

I've got 5 months, 2 weeks to wait :(

[wotsnext]

I've got 5 months, 2 weeks to wait :(
Afghanistan?

[oldsoak]

I've got 5 months, 2 weeks to wait :(

'kin hell mongoose - whoyou going out with ?

[EsoognomEhT]

Afghanistan?

Yuss. And it's not a bloke oldsoak if that's what you're thinking p-)

Edit, oh you mean going out as in out there? No-one, I'm far too, er, important. I am flying to JPAC in two weeks time though..lucky me.

[wotsnext]

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z88/wotsnext/3platooninhighspiritsprefirstfighti.jpg
Yuss. And it's not a bloke oldsoak if that's what you're thinking p-) Mongoose... Nice digs ehh.

[timetraveller]

I have read in a couple of news story that the british people are apathetic about returning troops in my local town Abingdon the photo below shows the Royal Logistic Corps using their right to march though Abingdon where are the crowds??

There was nothing in the local paper if I knew this was going to happen as I would of been there



Same happen to the Somme Company, of the London Regiment as the photos show





http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/14/nparade114.xml

The is a video on CNN called "British troops homecoming"
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#

I wish the British media would start backing are troops more, instead off having ago at them, the americans have got it right by backing the their troops all the time

I agree , And it would be fair to say most fo the joe public don't really care about what happens in Astan/Iraq on a daily basis .. only look out for themselves ..

If i win the lottery I'd buy the Pub/ restraun across from current place of wrk and all profit's would go to the British Legion ..

[oldsoak]

Yuss. And it's not a bloke oldsoak if that's what you're thinking p-)

Edit, oh you mean going out as in out there? No-one, I'm far too, er, important. I am flying to JPAC in two weeks time though..lucky me.

JPAC eh ? - pensions or medals ? :-P

[little icebear]

My boy arrived back from Afghanistan today. Its been a long 7 months. Cant Wait to see him.

Good to hear that. :)

@ Mongoose: Stay safe!

[EsoognomEhT]

arrgh, I'm not going anywhere!

oldsoak; all kinds of ****..

Related;


The Vikings are home

17 Oct 07

After a brutal but successful six month deployment in Helmand which left nine dead and 57 wounded, soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, (the Vikings), were welcomed home last night.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/D549F145-E94E-4D78-84AE-2B471A66EE86/0/RoyalAnglianHomecoming1.JPG&maxSize=210 (http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D549F145-E94E-4D78-84AE-2B471A66EE86/0/RoyalAnglianHomecoming1.JPG) A soldier from 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment receives a hug from a loved one
[Picture: Paul Franks]

They were greeted by hundreds of friends and family who had waited in the rain at Elizabeth Barracks in Pirbright for the coach loads of soldiers, sons, fathers, husbands and boyfriends to arrive.
Some of the soldiers' thoughts on seeing their loved ones, and their reflections on their tough time in Helmand were caught by the various media, also greeting them home:
Sergeant Andrew Tinkler, on meeting his wife said:

"It is just lovely. It really is fantastic. Words can't describe it. We were under no illusions about what we were going into and we prepared well for it, but you can't prepare for the loss of comrades and seeing casualties and dealing with friends in pain. You can't prepare for that but you have to get on and get the job done."
The Vikings are widely praised for taking the fight to the Taliban, leading several high profile operations and pushing the Taliban from their traditional heartlands, allowing much needed reconstruction and development to take place.
During their six months in Helmand they took part in 4 Battlegroup operations within a larger Task Force as well as 100 company level operations. Involved in 350 engagements with the enemy, it is thought the Battlegroup killed over 1000 Taliban fighters.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/7D9325EF-50B2-40D4-B35C-1FF4D7A1BCBA/0/tinkler.jpg&maxSize=210 (http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7D9325EF-50B2-40D4-B35C-1FF4D7A1BCBA/0/tinkler.jpg) Michelle Tinkler, with children Ehren, aged 2, and Ceris, aged 6, welcomes home husband and father Sergeant Andrew Tinkler
[Picture: Ben White]


"They have been involved in serious fighting pretty much constantly," said Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Mayo, a spokesman for UK army in Afghanistan. "Many of them have seen friends killed or badly injured and they have been the ones to get them out."
Sergeant Andrew Tinkler recalled:

"We basically went in there and did a hell of a lot of fighting which was extremely intense but we also did an awful lot of good as well. We sorted out schools and got involved in irrigation projects and I'm glad we did a lot of that as well as the war stuff against the Taliban."
The Royal Anglians conducted many of their operations in Northern Helmand around the agricultural area known as the Green Zone, where the Taliban had considered itself secure. The Vikings helped them change this perception, squeezing the Taliban into isolated pockets. Local villagers who fled the area are now returning after further ISAF led operations including Op PALK WAHEL have finally forced the Taliban out altogether.


"The Taliban have been beaten back because the Vikings took a determined fight to them." Said Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Carver, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion.
Recalling the battles against the Taliban Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Mayo described it:

"It is a bloody nightmare. To be brutally honest, in places it is like fighting in the jungle. Forget the idea that they are engaging at 100-200 metres and opening fire, they are being ambushed at ten metres and on many occasions they are fixing bayonets before going into the fight."

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/ADE4F4F3-E672-4458-B762-DB688C69FB0C/0/RoyalAnglianHomecoming2.JPG&maxSize=210 (http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ADE4F4F3-E672-4458-B762-DB688C69FB0C/0/RoyalAnglianHomecoming2.JPG) Friends and family gathered at Pirbright to welcome home from Afghanistan the soldiers of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment
[Picture: Paul Franks]

The Under Secretary of State for Defence Derek Twigg was in Pirbright last night also to welcome home eth soldiers. He said:

"The Anglians are planning a number of parades and this will help to highlight the important work that they have been doing out in Afghanistan. I hope they will be well attended. Public recognition for their efforts is a very important part of their rehabilitation – it helps to get them back into normal life. These soldiers have proved themselves time and time again with tremendous feats of bravery and they have made a major impact out there in Afghanistan. Their efforts deserve to be recognised."
The Royal Anglians who lost their lives during the deployment were:



Private Chris Gray, A Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 19 from Leicestershire (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/PrivateChrisGrayKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Lance Corporal George Russell Davey, 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 23 from Suffolk (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/LanceCorporalGeorgeRussellDaveyKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Corporal Darren Bonner, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 31 from Norfolk (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/CorporalDarrenBonnerKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 22 from East Dereham, Norfolk (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/LanceCorporalAlexHawkins1stBattalionTheRoyalAnglianRegimentKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Private Tony Rawson of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 27 from Dagenham, Essex (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/PrivateTonyRawsonOf1stBattalionTheRoyalAnglianRegimentKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Captain David Hicks of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 26 from Surrey (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/CaptainDavidHicksOf1stBattalionTheRoyalAnglianRegimentKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Private John Thrumble, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 21 from Chelmsford (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/PrivatesAaronMcclureRobertFosterAndJohnThrumbleKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Private Robert Graham Foster, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 19 from Harlow (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/PrivatesAaronMcclureRobertFosterAndJohnThrumbleKilledInAfghanistan.htm)
Private Aaron James McClure, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 19 from Ipswich (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/PrivatesAaronMcclureRobertFosterAndJohnThrumbleKilledInAfghanistan.htm) Reunited with his two children last night, Priivate Tony Purcell said:

"It was a very tough time. I have really missed these two so much. We lost a lot of guys out there. Four were good friends of mine. I'm proud to have known them."


I also read that Tony Hadley gave each man a pint from his own brewery. Good stuff

[oldsoak]

- so the missus is in Ghanners ? :-P

[Albatross]

5+ years of conflict. The world has become desensitized to it. F'n sad state of affairs for any soldier who comes home from duty to find no one is saying "thank you".

[Argyll]

The British public have never been as Patriotic towards their Military guys, well not since WW2.

The Falklands being an exception

[socom6]

The British public have never been as Patriotic towards their Military guys, well not since WW2.

The Falklands being an exception

The truth. The fear of militarism and nationalism combined is innate to the British people. And with all the stunning victories on land the British Army has always played second fiddle to the Royal Navy in the consciousness of the British people, dont ask me why but so it goes.

[Subsonic]

The truth. The fear of militarism and nationalism combined is innate to the British people. And with all the stunning victories on land the British Army has always played second fiddle to the Royal Navy in the consciousness of the British people, dont ask me why but so it goes.

Before Waterloo the army was generally seen an the arm of state oppression. Hence the dislike of a permanent standing army stationed in Britian. Despite a few glitches (like the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 when a large crowd of protesters was charged by cavalry) the standing of the military has been good.

[Billy No Mates]

The truth. The fear of militarism and nationalism combined is innate to the British people. And with all the stunning victories on land the British Army has always played second fiddle to the Royal Navy in the consciousness of the British people, dont ask me why but so it goes.

The suspicion of a large standing Army probably goes back to the antics of the New Model Army and factions within it after the civil war,the preference for the Navy over the Army is probably due to the former being seen as facilitating trade(and profit)so even during periods when the Armys acheivements outstriped the Navy(such as at Blenheim and afterwards)the Navy soon regained prominence due to political considerations .

[DazJW]

This happened a while ago in Middlesbrough.
Noone seemed to know it was happening, the road was closed so the bus we were trying to get home didn't show up.

Then suddenly a group about that size came marching up the road.

People stopped to watch, but there weren't any crowds as noone knew about it.

[MonkeyLibFront]

The truth. The fear of militarism and nationalism combined is innate to the British people. And with all the stunning victories on land the British Army has always played second fiddle to the Royal Navy in the consciousness of the British people, dont ask me why but so it goes.

Don't forget we had 20-30 years of not boasting about being a soldier because of the IRA.

[hughdotoh]

Maybe it's because being pro-military might be seen as being an anti-Muslim fascist. Jingoism and all that.

[LMAV]

When Lima Company returned home here in Columbus, we had thousands of people standing in the rain to greet them. There was at least 5 miles of road filled with people waving flags and giving the soldiers flowers. It was great. It even made some of the Marines cry.

[MonkeyLibFront]

Maybe it's because being pro-military might be seen as being an anti-Muslim fascist. Jingoism and all that.

I doubt it.

[EsoognomEhT]

woot..............


Prince Charles has waded into the row over the treatment of British soldiers by organising a personal medal ceremony for returning troops – and privately expressing dismay at the lack of recognition for their efforts.


He will hold a reception today at Birkhall, his Scottish retreat, in honour of the Territorial 51st Highlanders who recently returned from Iraq.

A senior military source explained: "The Prince wanted to pay tribute. He has been disturbed by what he sees as a lack of recognition for the efforts of our men and women serving overseas at this difficult time.


"He said he wanted to meet them and their families to thank them personally."


About 50 part-time Servicemen and women, who had been stationed at Basra Airport, will march into Birkhall this morning to meet Prince Charles and Camilla and be presented with the Iraq Medal.


Among them are two soldiers already cited by their commanding officer for bravery – Alan George, 20, and Private Hugh Lancaster, 21, who took part in a dramatic rescue of American troops following an ambush.


After the ceremony the soldiers and their families will be entertained in a large marquee erected especially for the event.


The TA soldiers, who had volunteered for a six-month tour of duty in Iraq, have now returned to their normal jobs, which include electrician, office worker, banker, teacher, gamekeeper, joiner, nurse, plumber, student, farmer and butcher.


The Prince's intervention is potentially embarrassing for the Government, already facing criticism about the treatment of soldiers fighting in the Middle East.


The Ministry of Defence has been slated over its care of injured soldiers, poor equipment, soldiers' pay and accommodation and distribution of medals.


But a spokesman said last night: "When people come home we make sure we have some form of event to honour them, and if you have served a certain number of days you also get a medal. If other people wish to host events, that is very welcome.

"Anything the Prince is choosing to do himself is a matter for his office. It is not unusual for Royal colonels-in-chief to present medals to their units."