Kirklees soldiers serving in Iraq send messages to loved ones
THEY'RE thousands of miles from home - but Christmas is on their minds.
And local soldiers serving on the front line in Iraq are thinking of their families.
Several soldiers from the Huddersfield area will be spending the festive season on duty in Basra, in the south of Iraq.
Their day to day duties include security checks, community projects to rebuild the area's infrastructure including schools and farming, and a comprehensive training programme for Iraqis to enable them to hand over control of the area in the near future.
Among those on duty in the province is Lt Jamie Metcalfe of Emley.
He is running media operations for the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, who flew out to Iraq early in November.
The troops will be patrolling Basra over Christmas and well into 2007, with a return to the UK expected in March.
He said: "To all my family and friends back in God's Own county, I hope you have a great festive period.
"Have a drink for me."
He and his colleagues will be able to phone home with a 30-minute call on Christmas Day.
Major Ian Astley, the Battalion's second in command, said: "We are still intending to have a traditional Christmas lunch and every soldier will receive a mystery Christmas box, provided by the nation.
"However, operational commitments remain the priority and we will celebrate properly with our families when we return next year."
Pte David Barlow, 24, of Batley, is an infantryman with The 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, also on a tour of duty in Basra.
He sent Christmas greetings home to his parents and to his girlfriend Steph.
"I'll see you in March when I get back," was his message.
