Summary
OUR nation owes a considerable debt to The Rifles Regiment, which has served with distinction in troublespots including Afghanistan and Iraq. The Rifles, which boasts many servicemen from the Plymouth area among its ranks, has paid a heavy price, losing 34 men in the last three years. Among the youngest, and most recent, casualties was 20-year-old Torpoint soldier Rifleman Sam Bassett, who died on Remembrance Sunday after being caught in a bomb blast in Afghanistan's Northern Helmand. So it is entirely appropriate that this relatively new regiment, formed just two years ago from an amalgamation of four others including the historic Devon and Dorsets, should be given one of the highest honours which Plymouth can bestow. Yesterday's ceremony to give the Freedom of the City of Plymouth to The Rifles was a wonderful and very public way to recognise the gratitude, admiration and respect which thousands of people here have for this proud body of men.
Whatever one's views of Britain's involvement in Afghanistan, it cannot be denied that The Rifles are doing a tough, gruelling and extremely difficult job in harsh, dangerous and demanding conditions.See the full content of this document
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Honouring Their Brave Service ; We Say
This hono...
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