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The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay host a medal ceremony for TA soldiers at Birkhall

20th October 2007

Territorial Army soldiers who served in Iraq were honoured by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall today in the grounds of Birkhall, Their Royal Highnesses home in Scotland.

Around 40 troops from 51st Highland, 7th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 Scots) joined Their Royal Highnesses, who are known as The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate, Royal Deeside.

The part-time soldiers, who include a bank worker and an agricultural assistant, were specially invited to Birkhall by The Prince, who is Royal Colonel of the Battalion, who wanted to thank them personally for their efforts during a recent tour of duty in Iraq.

Surrounded by stunning Scottish scenery, the reservists marched uphill to the front of the 18th century house, led by the battalion's pipes and drums playing Scotland the Brave.

Their Royal Highnesses stood in the building's porch as the troops, dressed in their desert combats, gave the salute.

The Prince, wearing a kilt in Hunting Stewart tartan, was then introduced to each soldier and presented them with their Iraq service medals.

The Duchess, wearing a dress with a Rothesay tartan trim and tartan scarf, remained on the porch with Major David Steele, second in command of the battalion.

Family and friends of the men and women looked on proudly as their relatives spoke to The Prince.

After the ceremony, the troops paraded to a nearby marquee for a more informal reception with Their Royal Highnesses, who were accompanied on the short walk from the house to the marquee by two pipers.

Around 100 men and women from 7 Scots formed Alamein Company, part of a Force Protection company deployed in Iraq from November 2006 to May 2007 to prevent Basra Air Station from attack.

During the tour some of the soldiers were involved in a daring operation to help rescue wounded American troops in southern Iraq.

Private Alan George, 20, from Fraserburgh, and Private Hugh Lancaster, 21, from Keith, were two of the soldiers involved in the mission.

They were part of a rescue team scrambled by helicopter from Basra Air Station to the town of Safwan to help American soldiers who had come under enemy fire.

Ptes George and Lancaster have already been honoured for their role in securing the area while medics treated the injured soldiers.

They said they were delighted to receive the medals from The Prince today.

"It really is a great honour," said Pte George, an agricultural worker.

"When you are there, you don't really get much feedback so it is good to be recognised by The Prince," added Pte Lancaster.

Captain Susan Duthie, 37, a bank worker from Perth, was one of six women who served in Iraq with the company.

"It was a nice surprise to be invited up here," she said.

"The Prince certainly takes an interest in what we are doing as he sent us messages and telegrams of good wishes when we were away.

"It is a good feeling to know there is someone so important backing you."

Major Frank Philip, a trainer with the battalion, said The Prince, who is Royal Colonel of the battalion, took his role very seriously.

"When we were in Iraq he always kept abreast of what was happening.

"We were enormously impressed when we received the invitation to come to Birkhall."

The company was the largest collective deployment of Scottish TA troops since the Second World War.

It was named Alamein Company as it is a direct descendant of the 51st Highland Division which took part in the Battle of El Alamein during the Second World War.

The soldiers are expected to be deployed to Afghanistan some time next year.