SOLIDERS who have served in Iraq were welcomed back to Canterbury by the Lord Mayor.

The eight men were among 28 from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment who joined forces with the city-based Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for a six-month stint training Iraqi soldiers to be part of the Iraq Civil Defence Corps.

Cllr Martin Vye invited them to Tower House, where sandwiches and beer were provided to celebrate their safe return and hard work in Iraq.

"I pay tribute to their professionalism and courage, both as peacekeepers and, where necessary, as fighters in Iraq," said Clllr Vye.

The platoon was made up of 14 soldiers from each of the PWRR 1st and 2nd Battalions and flew out to Iraq in January.

Platoon Commander James Passmore said that their role covered many angles. He said: "It was initially calm when we arrived in Iraq, but within a few months everything had changed.

"We were based on Route Six, which is the main road from Basra to Baghdad, so as well as our role training the Defence Corps, we were dealing with ambushes and explosives along that road.

"Our biggest battle was where a Major was ambushed and we had to capture and destroy the enemy. As we got closer to the summer, it became very hot, and we were carrying a lot of equipment, so we were fighting the climate as well as the enemy.

"It is a testament to the training and the camaraderie that we were able to deliver a successful National Guard to Iraq. I am incredibly proud of the soldiers and their achievements."

Three of the platoon were shot during their time in Iraq, but all are expected to make a full recovery. Two of them, Sgt Paul Kelly and Pte Kevin Challis, were at the reception.

Sgt Kelly said: "For the first month it was like a holiday camp, but after that things became hostile and the shooting started.

"I was shot in the arm and returned home for two months, before flying back out in May."

Pte Challis, whose injured arm had been wired up until the day before the lunch, added: "I was on patrol one night and we were ambushed.

"I was near the back and was shot from behind. At first I didn't feel anything and my arm just dropped down.

"I was taken straight to the local camp for treatment, then flown to a bigger one by helicopter and I was in hospital in Birmingham within two days.

"They say in two years time I'll have full use of my arm back, so until then I'll be doing physiotherapy and working in the stores."

Col Mike Ball, the PWRR regimental secretary said: "They did a fantastic job out there and we are very proud of them all."