Volunteer medics back from war zone

To mark their return the members of the 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital (Volunteers) – whose regular jobs are at hospitals such as Walsall Manor, Russells Hall, Dudley and New Cross in Wolverhampton – were honoured with medals at a service of thanksgiving in Birmingham.

Commanding officer Lt Colonel Duncan Phimister said: "I am immensely proud of all of them and the tremendous care they delivered in exceptionally challenging circumstances."

The volunteers spent six months away from their jobs in total including training.

They were based at Camp Bastion from April until July and were put to work on gruelling 12 hour shifts.

During their tour the operation Panther's Claw was in full swing, leading to a number of British casualties.

Lieutenant Harriet Launders, a 33-year-old pharmacist from Walsall Manor Hospital, said: "My brother Ed is in the Welsh Guards and was at Camp Bastion at the same time as I was.

"He lost his best friend Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, who was commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

"But even if someone had told me before I went that it was going to happen I would have still have rather have been there being able to help than at home and helpless."

Mother-of-two Jane Bradbury, an intensive care nurse at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley was also among the volunteers.

The 40-year-old, who lives in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, said: "It was quite emotional at times and there was levels of trauma you don't come up against in hospitals on a day to day basis.

"I have been in the TA since 1991 but this was my first tour.

"My husband Fred is also in the TA and he went to Iraq in 2003 and 2005 but this was my turn and my family was very supportive."