Hundreds turned out to officially welcome home 203 (NI) Field Hospital from their tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Mayor of Castlereagh, Ann Marie Beattie paid tribute to the soldiers at last Saturday’s ceremony, which was attended by the GOC NI, Major General Chris Brown CBE, other military dignitaries, together with council representatives, and cheering family members.

As part of the ceremony operational service medals and specially minted medallions to mark the occasion were presented.

Speaking at the ceremony Mayor Ann Marie Beattie said: “It is a particular privilege for me personally to preside over these proceedings, as it was my husband Jack who held the office of Mayor in 1998, when Castlereagh bestowed the borough’s highest honour of the Freedom of the Borough upon the unit for their devotion to duty, gallantry and courage. “Their recent participation in Operation Herrick in Afghanistan shows these qualities continue to be at the fore within the unit.”