SUNTANNED and relaxed, three Herefordshire soldiers are enjoying their return from Iraq confident in the knowledge of a job well done.

While debate about the political motives of the Iraq War continues, they know they helped conduct one of the most successful military campaigns ever waged.

Gareth Birch, David Kendrick and Andrew Wilce, 1st Battalion Light Infantry, spent eight hot, dusty and dangerous weeks in Iraq fighting Saddam Hussein's forces.

Weight-loss

The 19-year-old friends lost more than a stone in weight as hard work, nerves and army rations ate into their physiques. But for many days it was the stress of facing public opinion at home as much as the Iraqi guns that occupied their minds.

David, from Dormington, said: "We were really worried about coming home. We knew our families would support us but we were warned about the opposition to the war. We were lucky to be some of the first to come out but we had heard about the protests in High Town and didn't know what people were thinking."

But after three days spent with family at home and three nights with friends in town the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

Gareth, of Newton Farm, Hereford, said: "People have been spot on, really good. The reaction has just been overwhelming. It's been great to come back."

David and Andrew, friends from St Mary's School, and Gareth, who went to Kingstone High, joined up straight from school in September 2000. Finding themselves billeted together, the three formed a team that saw them through the next two-and-a-half years.

Shipped out from Germany to Kuwait at the beginning of March they had just two weeks to acclimatise before they were on the front line, fighting to take Az Zubayr.

David, a Warrior Driver, and Gareth, a Warrior Gunner, spent the next six weeks living in their armoured personnel carriers while Andrew, an assault trooper from Newton Farm, had to make do with even less.

Andrew said: "We would take a building, defend it and set up base there until we were told to move on. We were excited but when it got going we saw some things we did not want to see."

Faced with a hostile military force camouflaged amongst a welcoming civilian population the soldiers were faced with the challenge of helping one group while defeating the other.

Andrew said: "Most of them packed up and left but those that stayed ditched their uniforms - we didn't know who we were dealing with."

By this time, the three were fighting for control of Basra, supported by supply lines that stretched back to Kuwait and England.

David said: "We didn't hear from home much but we did get mail and parcels."

Pot Noodles and chocolate to supplement their rations and talcum powder to protect their feet were top of the list until western 'culture' caught up with the battlefield.

Gareth said: "We were driving in the desert when we saw Burger King and Pizza Hut wrappers.

"Mobile fast-food outlets had turned up. It was great but we couldn't eat more than a slice or two because our stomachs had shrunk."

Hereford MP on official visit to forces

HEREFORD MP Paul Keetch has returned to the UK after visiting British forces in Iraq.

Mr Keetch, who travelled with the Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram MP, and the Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary, Bernard Jenkin MP, met British Armed Forces in the south of the country.

"I was honoured to be one of the very first British MPs to go the country after the conflict," Mr Keetch said.

"It was a tremendously useful visit and I got to see first-hand some of the most important sites in Southern Iraq."

Mr Keetch was briefed by some of the key figures in the UK military force in Iraq including Land Component Commander Major General Peter Wall, the UK Contingent Chief of Staff, the Commanders of 16 Air Assault Brigade and the famous Desert Rats, and others.

"I also had the opportunity to speak to some of the local Iraqi population, which was perhaps the most enlightening part of all," he said.

"Whatever our feelings before this conflict began, and whatever the political problems, I am sure that we all have the greatest admiration for the professionalism and courage of the UK forces that fought in Iraq in extremely difficult conditions.

"Now we must work with our allies to try and offer whatever help we can to secure the best possible future for the Iraqi people."