Yorkshire Regiment soldiers march through York (From York Press)

Yorkshire Regiment soldiers march through York

8:40am Saturday 14th July 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

SOLDIERS from the Yorkshire Regiment have paraded through the city and attended a Minster service as part of their homecoming from Afghanistan.

The soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, which included servicemen from York, have recently returned from a six-month operational tour.

Speaking at the Minster service, the Reverend Gary Humphryes, the Battalion chaplain, said: “Some of us saw things no person should see. Some of us did things others do not have the courage to do. Some of us were injured and are back on our way to a full recovery. Some of us will be haunted by our experience for some time to come. We give thanks for our return.”

He then remembered LCpl Gajbahadur, Private John King and Private Matthew Thornton, who were killed while on the tour. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu gave a blessing to the congregation.

Among the York soldiers in attendance was LCpl Fatayi Okotete, 28, whose family live in Fulford, Private Jack Otterburn, 24, of Linton on Ouse and LCpl Miles Smith, of Tang Hall.

Private Daniel Spencer, 22, of South Bank, who was friends with Private King and Thornton, said he had worked with the fire support group throughout the six month operation in Afghanistan. He said :”It was tiring - overall it’s a relief to get back. It was challenging, sometime rewarding and dangerous.”

Among the York based famiies at the service were the relatives of Major David Prew, wife Pauline and her daughter, Jenny, of Huntington.

Mrs Prew said: “It’s a huge relief they are back.”