Soldiers' return marked by parade

The regiment faced "testing conditions" in Afghanistan

A homecoming parade has been held for a regiment of soldiers who have returned to Kent from Afghanistan.

Members of the 36 Engineer Regiment have completed a six-month tour of duty in the Helmand Province, in which two of their soldiers died.

The parade was held in Maidstone on Friday, where the troops were greeted by crowds lining the street.

The regiment's work in the country included supervising building projects in "very testing conditions".

During their time there, they helped with the re-building of the war-torn country's infrastructure, as well as conducting their normal duties as soldiers in helping the Afghan government bring about peace.

Tributes were paid to the two members of the regiment who lost their lives during the tour.

Lance Corporal Ivano Violino, 29, who was known as Sean, was killed when an army dump truck was hit by an explosion and Lance Corporal Jake Alderton, 22, died when his vehicle rolled off a bridge.

The regiment returned to their base at Invicta Park Barracks, Maidstone, last Friday.

A book of condolence has been opened in Maidstone in tribute to Lance Corporals Alderton and Violino.

'Fantastic turnout'

Despite heavy rain, about 2,000 members of the public turned out to applaud the 330 servicemen and women as they marched through the county town.

The homecoming celebrations began with a presentation of medals to the soldiers by Major General Keith Cima, the governor of the Tower of London.

After the parade, there was a thanksgiving and remembrance service, and the regiment later attended a reception for themselves and their families.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the parade had gone "superbly" with a "fantastic turnout" of people, from schoolchildren to elderly veterans.

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