A Company, The Second Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2 RRF) returned home to their West London base in Hounslow on Tuesday, 27 October, at the end of a tough six-month tour of duty in Helmand province; split between the towns of Musa Qalah and Sangin.

The soldiers' families decorated the camp at Hounslow with bunting and ribbons ahead of the arrival home of loved ones they haven't seen in a long time.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, Commanding Officer 2RRF said: "All Fusiliers can return proud in the knowledge that they left their little bit of Afghanistan significantly better than they found it."

Major Jo Butterfill, Officer Commanding A Company, 2RRF stated: "The quiet individual heroism displayed by the soldiers that enabled them to operate in the face of such a severe and ever-present threat will stay with me forever."

Fusilier Kieran Connolly said: "Despite the dangers we have had an amazing experience. You have to be alert 100 per cent of the time, but after all being on operations is what you sign up for!"

Lt Col Charlie Calder concludes: "Tragically the Second Fusiliers lost seven soldiers during their tour, and now on our return we have the opportunity to mourn fully their loss and we understand that however hard we feel that loss it is incomparable to that felt by their families, our thoughts and prayers remain with them in this difficult time."