Soldiers welcomed home by thousands

Published on Saturday 31 October 2009 18:46

SOLDIERS returning home from the Afghan war zone were given a rapturous welcome yesterday as thousands lined the streets to cheer their arrival in Liverpool.

Well-wishers looked on for an hour as soldiers from the 2nd Battalion the Rifles met civic and military officials outside Liverpool's St George's Hall.

As troops, wearing deserts combats, paraded through the city, they were applauded and heralded with an impromptu chorus of

You'll Never Walk Alone.

A wreath was laid at the nearby war memorial in memory of the 24 soldiers from the Rifles' extended Battle Group who were killed in action during the six-month operational tour in Helmand province.

Tony Kearns, 62,

said: "I feel absolutely fabulous about them and wish they were better looked after, I don't think they have the best equipment.

"We read stories about them not having equipment that's up to scratch – but it's a good job they're up to scratch.

"I think it's very important to come and support our boys and girls.

"They make the ultimate sacrifice at war – I wouldn't like to go."

Rifleman Warren Richardson, 24, could not march today. He was shot in the leg in Sangin during his tour of duty, but he was accompanied his comrades on his two crutches.

The Everton fan, who lost 90 per cent of the nerves in his left leg, was pulled to safety under fire by his mate Rifleman Nathan Hau, 19, a Liverpool fan.

Richardson said:

"I'm not bitter about the situation I'm just glad I'm here."