Welcome Back! 2 YORKS Awarded Medal For Afghanistan Bravery

The Duke of York has presented medals to the soldiers of 2nd Ballation, The Yorkshire Regiment, who have safely returned from Kabul after an eight-month tour.

During their time in Afghanistan, the troops helped local forces end a 13-hour siege that left 22 people dead.

Captain Ash Pendlebury, 2 YORKS, said it was "quite a nerve-wracking event":

"It was a multinational response where you had the CO of 2 YORKS commanding British, American and Australian companies responding to that incident, which ultimately culminated in the evacuation of 43 international civilians and casualties."

This was the first time 2 YORKS have been together as a regiment since July last year.

Prince Andrew, who is the Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, handed out the medals to the soldiers. 

Sergeant Andrew Sullivan, 2 YORKS, said:

"For a lot of the guys here today this will be their first medal.

"It should be an extremely proud day for them and their families and relatives that have come to see them."

The Yorkshire Warriors will now be taking some well-earned leave, before a return training and UK readiness in the summer.