by Katie Alston

The commanding officer of frontline troops in Afghanistan has paid tribute to his battalion’s home city.

Lt Col Adam Griffiths is in charge of the Canterbury-based Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, praised the community for their support during what he described as a hard tour.

The soldiers are now entering their fifth month of a seven-month tour of Helmand. For some it is their third time in Afghanistan in four years, but for others it’s their first operational tour.

The battalion enjoys a close relationship with Canterbury having been awarded the Freedom of the City in 2008.

They have been invited by Lord Mayor Pat Todd to exercise this right by marching through Canterbury when they return.

The date has been set for Thursday, May 12, and will see the battalion march from the Westgate Towers to the Cathedral for a homecoming service.

Lt Col Griffiths said: “We have lived and worked in Canterbury since our return from Northern Ireland in September 2003.

“In that time the battalion has deployed on five operational tours overseas.

“Throughout this, the city of Canterbury has supported 5 Scots and its families and have brought them into the community.

“While we remain very much a Scottish highland battalion, proud of our heritage, we are also extremely proud of our close links and relationships within Canterbury and the wider Kent community.

“We see the city very much as our home and look forward to returning and exercising the freedom of the city once more.”