Iraq soldiers say thanks for gifts

Soldiers who have recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq made time to visit a parent and toddler group to thank children personally for the gift boxes they sent out to the troops.

Youngsters who attend Millfield parent and toddler group made and filled the packages which were then mailed to The Staffordshire Regiment.

Three members of the battalion called in to Brownhills to see the children yesterday to thank them in person for their kindness.

Lance Corporal Lee Cooper, of Brownhills, Sgt Majors Mick Whillock, of Burntwood, and Paul Derry, of Chase Terrace, and their colleagues arrived home last month.

They had been stationed in Iraq since October and it was there that they received the scores of gift boxes, filled with sweets and toiletries, courtesy of the Brownhills group. Staffordshire Regimental Association secretary Andy Stokes said the children were only too happy to help put a smile on the soldiers’ faces.

He said: “It was great to have some of the lads visit the kids yesterday.  It went really well, the lads were sound.”

The sister of the standard bearer Terry Noakes, of Wolverhampton, works as a volunteer at the parent and toddler group. A second batch of gift boxes made by the youngsters will be sent to wounded soldiers  at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. 

Veterans can join Staffordshire Regimental Association, which meets at 11.30am on the second Sunday of the month at The Excelsior Club in Victoria Avenue, Bloxwich.

Almost 30 members of the 50 plus strong regimental association will travel to graveyards of the Somme on September 2.

Sgt Major Paul Derry said: “It’s good to hear from people back home.”