WHEN the soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters returned to their homes last week they could look back with pride at their achievements in a country at the far reaches of the globe.

For the past six months

the 450-strong battalion has helped to keep Northern Afghanistan safe as it moves to a modern democracy and its people rebuild their lives after more than 30 years

of war.

Among those getting ready to return is 21-year-old Pte Chris Chamberlain, who is going back to his girlfriend and daughter and the home they share in Kidderminster.

Kabul has been the home of this former pupil of King Charles I High School and he has got to know its mud and rubbish-filled streets as well as his own home town.

Speaking to the Worcester News he said: "I am really looking forward to getting home to Kaye and Erin. I don't know what we're going to do when I get home. I'd like to get away but that depends on what the bank manager says."

The situation in Afghanistan is far removed from Iraq's violence and bloodshed, currently making headline news across the globe.

There are around 1,000 British soldiers, sailors and airmen working in the country alongside counterparts from NATO and EU partners from across Western Europe. The 450 soldiers from Worcestershire's own infantry regiment rub shoulders on a daily basis with their counterparts from France, Canada, Turkey, Denmark, Macedonia and Georgia.

Together this motley collection of nations maintain the peace in northern Afghanistan under the auspices of ISAF, International Security Assistance Force.

ISAF's benign mission is far removed from the American-led coalition in the south, which continues to operate aggressive operations against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

These groups still sneak down from their mountain bases bringing misery to thousands of Afghans, who still have to face the daily struggle to simply survive the harsh winters and a seven-year drought.

For the commander of the British forces in Iraq,

Col James Denny, the soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters have been a vital role in the process.

Col Denny said: "All of these young soldiers have done a top job and all have earned their money on every level and everyone from their home towns should be proud of them.

"Afghanistan is a real success story that people just do not realise. As bad news sells newspapers the media are not interested in the work that has been going on here."

And the facts seem to bear out the colonel's assessment.

The last time the ISAF headquarters, 30 minutes away from the British base, was attacked by long-range rockets was on Thursday, September 9, 2004.

The last roadside bomb to be planted by

anti Government forces was in August 2004, when 11 civilians, including four American contractors, were killed.

Despite these random attacks, ISAF troops - and especially the Worcesters - have earned the continued support of every local community they work with.

The battalion's commanding officer, Lieut Colonel Richard Wesley, has welcomed praise for soldiers from other national contingents, as well as from leaders within the Afghan community.

He said: "In their quiet, understated way, they have got out among the Afghan people and have earned their trust.

"There's a widespread feeling that the battalion has gone about its business in a modest, no-nonsense way.

"My impression after three months in charge is that the battalion gets on and does its business without making a song and dance about it."

In the six months since they have been in the country, the British

soldiers have helped to disarm the country's warlord and encouraged the fighters of the local militia to return to a more peaceful existence.

For Lance Cpl Simon Jones, 26, Afghanistan is his last operational tour before he returns to his home in Stourport and his wife Rachel. He said: "This has been my best tour and I have had a good and varied army life but I am looking forward to getting home and beginning a new life with my wife."

Afghanistan was also the swansong for Pte Wayne Cadmore, 24, from Great Malvern. After five years with the battalion the former Chase High School pupil is looking forward to marrying fiance Katie.

He added: "I have enjoyed my tour but I just want to get home now.

"For me the best part was being the top scorer in the ISAF six-a-side tournament. The battalion played against 10-15 different teams and we won the championships."

When the battalion returns to its base in Chester the soldiers will spend four weeks with their families before moving to Hounslow to start training for their next mission overseas.

slaughterhouse life

SINCE their arrival in Afghanistan in September, the troops of the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters have come to call a former abattoir home.

For the past six months the troops who have been helping to rebuild the fragile fledgling democracy taking root in Afghanistan as part of a ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force, have been living in Camp Souter.

The site had also been a fertiliser plant before it was surrounded by high concrete walls, topped with razor wire and ringed by sentry posts where the troops spend up to six hours a day keeping watch over the city.

Since British

troops moved into Afghanistan in 2002 the camp has grown dramatically. Two purpose-built accommodation blocks now house the bulk of the soldiers of the Worcestershire Regiment who have to patrol Kabul's streets.

The remaining building house the command centre for the British contingent of ISAF and facilities for the troops such as the cookhouse, gym, medical centre,

internet suite and the Toucan Bar.

Each solider receives a 20-minute phone call back to the UK thanks to a welfare card system. The card can be topped up by paying for it at the Army's own camp shops, which can be found at every major British camp in Afghanistan.

These additional minutes have proved to be a real godsend for the Private Oliver Andrews, 20, from Worcester who will see out the end of his tour at the battalion's forward operating based in Mazar-e-Sherif.

The former Pershore High School pupil is planning to marry girlfriend Claire in June and has been kept informed of the wedding plans by phone. He said: "She has been doing most of the work while I've been out here so I suppose when I get back I will have to do my bit."

Many of the troops have made full use of the base's gym equipment to help them keep fit and ready for their next mission overseas.

A regular user of the camp's weights and running machines is 20-year-old Lance Corporal Craig Wise from Worcester. Recently trained as one of the Army's physical training instructors he looks set to follow in the footsteps of big brother Robert who has been looking after the fitness of the battalion for years. Craig said: "It is hard having your big brother in the battalion because he does the usual big brother thing and won't let me do my own thing, he wants to protect me.

"I joined because I could see all the things that he was doing and thought that would be good for me."

Corporal Robert Wise, 26, has spent most of his time based in the battalion's camp in the foothills of the Hindu Kush which gives him ample opportunity to take the troops running. The former pupil of Elgar High School said: "I love taking the guys out running in the countryside is an ideal training ground.

"I don't know how long I will stay in the Army but my plan when I leave is to open a gym with Craig and run it ourselves."