Bradford Soldiers Honoured

Two soldiers from Bradford are being presented with medals at a special ceremony tomorrow.

The soldiers from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment will parade in front of family, friends and onlooking race-goers as they are honoured for their six-month tour in Afghanistan last year.

The 34 soldiers recently returned from operations in Afghanistan where they helped build schools and hospitals, and mentored the Afghan National Army and Police.

Lieutenant Colonel David Rhodes, the battalion's commanding officer, said “These were demanding and skilled tasks undertaken in testing conditions and with a threat of explosive devices and contacts by insurgents.”

“The majority of these soldiers have civilian jobs and they put these and their family lives on hold for six months to serve their country. Their friends and families have supported them and are justly proud of them for the role they played.”

One Bradford soldier, Private Mark McCabe, told BCB he is proud of the work he did there. "It was an honour to serve my country and I'm just glad that I came back. It was a tough tour."

After the presentation the families and their soldiers will enjoy a day at the races where horses and their jockeys will be battling for the 51st John Smith’s Cup. The John Smith’s Cup meeting will be marked by a series of activities including a fly-past from RAF Linton-on–Ouse.

To listen to the full interview with Private McCabe click here

Report and Interview: Jenny Wotherspoon