TERRITORIAL Army soldiers serving with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers were presented with medals to mark their tour of duty in Iraq on Sunday.

At the ceremony at Vauxhall Fields, Monmouth, 180 TA soldiers from the four squadrons received the medals from HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

Forty-four soldiers were deployed to Iraq for the fighting phase, with the majority mobilised for a six-month tour of duty as part of Operation Telic.

They returned home in January this year after carrying out general engineer support tasks, which included the reconstruction and maintenance of the local infrastructure in the Basra area.

After the medal ceremony people crowded on to the streets of Monmouth as the regiment exercised their right to freedom of the town.

People cheered them as they were led by The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers, and they marched with bayonets fixed.

Sergeant Major Islwyn Evans, from Blackwood, went out to Basra just after the fighting and worked on various construction assignments, from the reconstruction of a bridge to security work.

He said: "For me it was a great experience and the chance to prove to myself what I've trained for for the last 27 years, and that I could do it."

For Sergeant Major Evans, 44, this was his first operational tour, and he said: "I was excited, I just wanted to get out there and put all the training to use.

"Today has been a really special day, especially for my family."

For Rogiet brothers Sapper Robert Lewis, 22, and Sapper Karl Lewis, 19, the day was a double celebration.

Sapper Robert Lewis said: "It was a good experience and it brought us a lot closer together.

"When we first got the envelope our hearts sank, but we went off doing the job we had been trained for. Today has been extra special because we have received our medals together."

Mayor of Monmouth Councillor Anthea Dewhurst watched the soldiers march through the town.

She said: "It has been absolutely wonderful and I have been happy to represent Monmouth.

"I am full of gratitude and pride in the work and the fantastic job they have done."