Chesham serviceman hailed for Afghanistan role (From Bucks Free Press)

Chesham serviceman hailed for Afghanistan role

8:50am Tuesday 3rd November 2009 in News By Andy Carswell

A CHESHAM Territorial Army soldier was one of more than 100 servicemen to march through Croydon to mark the end of a six-month operation in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Mike Howard joined colleagues from the 2nd and 7th Battalions of The Rifles for a civic reception in the Surrey town.

The 31-year-old former Chesham Park School pupil had completed his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He said: “This was the most hardest and most challenging.

“The Taliban are using a lot more Improvised Explosive Devices but the we have really developed our tactics.

“Also this was a summer tour which was more difficult with the heat – 50 degrees.”

He is based at the TA Centre in Booker, where he has been a member for seven years.

Last Thursday's parade paid tribute to Rifleman Danny Simpson, who came from Croydon and was one of 13 members of the regiment to be killed in action in Afghanistan.