Royal pride for Devizes soldier back from Iraq (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Royal pride for Devizes soldier back from Iraq

4:17pm Saturday 9th June 2007 in News By Raeanne Nightingale

Devizes soldier Lance Corporal Miles Lumley, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, has received his Iraq medal in a parade attended by HRH Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex.

Miles, 22, recently returned to his UK base at Weeton Barracks, Preston, Lancashire, after spending nearly seven months on operational duties in Iraq's second largest city, Basrah.

In bright sunshine and with the sounds of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles ringing out across the parade ground, proud family and friends watched from grandstands as the Earl of Wessex inspected the entire battalion for the first time since becoming Royal Colonel of 2 RIFLES in February of this year.

Miles, who has been in the Army for four years, worked in the battalion signals platoon during his first tour in Iraq.

The former Devizes Comprehensive School pupil, whose parents Jenny and Stuart still live in the town, has also served in Afghanistan.

Speaking of his tour in Iraq, he said: "I was in the Ops Room and it was my job to maintain contact with the people out on the ground.

"It was a tough tour but it was also interesting, because I had changed roles to join the signals platoon."

He added: "I have met Prince Edward before because my previous battalion had done ceremonial duties. We once had a regimental dinner with the Queen."

While it was a moment for celebrating their battalion's achievements in Iraq, it was also an occasion tinged with sadness - the families of three 2 RIFLES soldiers killed during their time in Basrah were in the thoughts of each of the soldiers formed up on parade.

The three soldiers were Rifleman Paul Donnachie (18), from Reading, Rifleman Aaron Lincoln (18), from Durham, and Rifleman Daniel Coffey (21), from Exeter.

Addressing the battalion, The Earl of Wessex said: "I feel deeply honoured to be able to stand in front of you today, to welcome you home, to congratulate you on behalf of the Sovereign.

"Today, this is your moment. You are the ones that have carried out the hard work. You are the ones standing there very proud of what you have achieved.

"When you march off today, I want you to march off a few inches taller. Well done."

The Royal Colonel had earlier praised the families and friends for their support to the soldiers and remembered those "who have paid the ultimate sacrifice".

In Iraq, the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, formerly 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, were based in Saddam Hussein's former retreat of Basra Palace, on the southern edge of Basrah City.