Prince Charles and Camilla honour troops for bravery

Dec 1, 2005, 13:38 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have honoured war heroes for their bravery during the military conflict in Iraq.

The royal couple presented soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales with Iraq tour medals.

Seven soldiers were honoured during the ceremony in Wiltshire, including 25-year-old Captain Matt Thomas who led his men to safety through a gun battle in Al Amarah.

Thomas said: "We were surrounded on all sides for about four days but amazingly managed to escape with just one casualty - a soldier who suffered a shrapnel wound.

"At the time it was happening it seemed very surreal - there were people firing on us and it almost like we were watching it on television."

He added: "The training soon kicked in though and we all managed to keep a clear head. The mention in dispatches I received is really for all the lads and the great work they did out there."

After the ceremony, the royal couple toured the base's brand new accommodation block.

Charles - who has been the regiment's Colonel in Chief for almost 40 years - also talked to soldiers about his son, Prince Harry, who is currently enrolled in officer training at the world-renowned Sandhurst Military Academy.

He is quoted on Britain's BBC website as saying: "My youngest son is at Sandhurst, you know. He has taken to it like a duck to water - it's just what he needs."

"He likes rolling around in muddy ditches, I think."

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