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The 2nd battalion were formally the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, with a history dating back to 1694, and many of the troops being deployed for a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan have connections with this area.

A soldier's kit

This will be the battalion's third tour there in the last four years; they lost nine soldiers on the last six month deployment.

These soldiers were subsequently well remembered at a service held at Westminster Abbey in December 2007.

You can show your support for the soldiers by posting a message on this site, and if you have friends or relatives serving in the 2nd battalion, we'd like to hear from you:

YOUR MESSAGES

• Our thoughts are always with you - not all the public are discouraged. As a mother and grandmother all I can do is pray for you. If there is any way we the public can help, please let us know - Lorna, Hereford.

• Very proud of all, much love to all who have lost and all who are serving - Lou, Hereford

• Welcome back lads! You're doing a fantastic job, your commitment and efforts on our behalf are really appreciated. We are proud of you and the job you do. Keep if up and stay safe - Tristan, Leominster.

• Your courage is immense. I am extremely proud of you. E Finnegan, Leominster.

• Thinking of you. Keep safe - Tom and Kathy, Hereford.

• Well done lads you're very brave butIi wish you were all home safe and sound, instead of fighting a war - Janet, Hereford.

• We are wll very proud of you out there. Do take care and watch your back! Denise, Hereford

• May God bless you all, we are praying for you every day. Take care - Audrey and Trevor Davies

• We are very proud of you, Ben, and all your comrades. Keep safe, all of you - Steve Johnson.

• Good luck, lads. We can't help but feel proud of you - Brian & Helen Poulton

• Good luck and a safe return from your forth coming tour. You are all doing a great job - Allan and Jenny from Worcester

• Good Luck to Paul. See you when you come home darlin' - Vicki

• You're all awesome!!!! I'm in CCF at school and we go on the range and I'm scared then!! You must be all so brave!! Sounds cheesy! You should all get paid much more. I admire your work. WELL DONE! Chloe Skyrme.

• To Dale Wilson, lots love from a very proud Nan and Grandad.

• It has been said so many times but this is no less sincere. We will be thinking of you all out there and we will also be thinking of the families you have left behind in the UK. Stay safe - Sue Baker.

• Good luck, keep safe, so proud of you all. hope to have you all home soon - Sandra North.

• All the members from the WFRA Worcester branch, would like to send the lads their best wishes and a safe return from their tour of duty in Afghanistan - Harold Massam

• Good luck to you all, keep safe, and return home safely, we are all very proud of you - Eileen & Eddie, Bromsgrove.

• God be with you - keep safe and thank you for all you do for the people of this country. From Sara.

• So proud of you guys good luck keep very safe xxxxx from Sarah Jenkins.

• Good luck and keep safe. We're all very proud of you. Wendy from Worcester.

• Good luck folks, God bless you all and keep you safe. Think of you often. Derek.

• One of our two sons, both Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, just returned in 2008, will be deploying again in September '09, just as you folks get set to head back home. My boys love "the Brits" and we all wish you well. God Bless you all. Howard Skrypnyk, Winnipeg, Canada.

• Hope you are all home soon. My family and I are all proud of you all, and hope you are safe and will all be home soon. Christopher Purser

• Good luck, we are so proud of you all. Joa Harvey.

• We are all VERY proud of ALL our troops! May God bless each & every one of you and bring you all home safely to all your familes, friends and loved ones. Our heros!! Good luck and God speed. Annette.

• All the very best, keep safe and keep your powder dry. Pete the Para.

• Good luck guys!!! You really are the best - heroes! Wishing you a safe return! - Alex in Ledbury

• My son Richard is a Royal Marine serving in Afganistan. Good luck to you all, keep your heads down - Albert in Droitwich

• To our son and his comrades best of luck out there. Remember to stand firm and strike hard and come home safely to us. We'll be praying for you. God bless - Carolyn & Geoff Bourne.

• Good luck to you all. I will pray for your safe return - Mrs Hughes, Malvern.

• You guys are the best, Be safe! Regards, Derrick.

• Good luck to you all, our prayers are with you! What you are all doing is an amazing and brave thing and everyone is so proud! Thank you for all of your hard work. Kayleigh.

• Wishing you all the best we are very proud of your bravery. Stay safe our thoughts are always with all the troops serving abroad and their families. Helen Mills, the mother of a serving soldier recently returned from Basra.

• Every single one of our serving soldiers deserves our admiration for their heroic deeds, not only in Afghanistan, but also Iraq. Anyone who has watched the Ross Kemp programmes, cannot fail to be impressed with the pofessionalism and bravery that our soldiers continue to show in such adverse conditions. Pray that they all return home safe and sound. Ron Amphlett.

• Good luck, keep your head low, you are the best. Neil.

• Good luck, we are proud of you all. Julie-ann.

• My son was in The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters. I'm happy to say that he is now out of the Army. We wish you all every success, keep safe and well, you are all doing a great job and we are proud of our troops. Mrs Read.