Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh returned home from Afghanistan on Tuesday 11 August, following a six-month deployment that saw them take part in Operation Panther's Claw.

C Company, part of 19 Light Brigade on Op HERRICK 10, operated in Helmand Province and helped secure territory ahead of the elections later this month.

Major Nigel Crewe-Read, Officer Commanding C Company, said: "I think the overriding feeling we've had is success and not without sacrifices, and Lance Corporal Chris Harkett and his family are at the forefront of our minds.

"We've defeated the Taliban whenever we've come across them and then seen the Afghan population get back up and running, re-establish schools, have power supplies, and we've ensured the Afghan security forces take ownership of the situation. We can reflect on a job well done."

About 130 soldiers marched on to the parade ground at Lucknow Barracks, Tidworth, to be greeted by hundreds of family and friends. Many had travelled from Wales to be there to welcome them back. Some wore personalised t-shirts, others carried banners with special messages and others held heart-shaped balloons.

"It was rewarding and joyful seeing the families as we rounded the bend on to the parade ground," said Major Crewe-Read. "We've had a challenging tour and it's exactly the same for the families who have unbelievable resilience. And to come home on a beautiful summer's evening to Tidworth is fantastic."

C Company has been replaced in Helmand by A Company 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh. The 150 soldiers will be part of 11 Light Brigade during OpHERRICK 11 and will be deployed for seven months.

Lance Corporal Christopher Harkett from Pontardawe, in Swansea, was part of a foot patrol and died as a result of an explosion near Musa Qaleh on the morning of March 14 2009. The 22-year-old was the 150th soldier to die in Afghanistan.