THE Princess Royal is coming to Colchester to present medals to soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

Princess Anne will visit Merville Barracks on Wednesday, June 15, to give operational medals to soldiers from the town’s 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, who completed their first six-month tour of Afghanistan.

She is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps.

It will be the second time in a fortnight she will honouring the town’s heroes.

Today, she will recognise the efforts of the airborne signallers from Colchester’s 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron at another medal ceremony at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, in London.

A total of 150 soldiers from the squadron will be on parade, with 87 receiving operational service medals from the Princess Royal, who is also Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Signals.

A thanksgiving service will be held in the chapel to mark the squadron’s return and honour the memory of Corporal Steven Dunn, who was killed when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in December.

216 (Parachute) Signal Sqadron is Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade’s specialist communications unit, focusing on radio and computer links between soldiers and commanders.

The signallers worked on the frontline and in bases across Helmand Province before their return at the start of April.

13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, provides assistance to 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Terry Sutton, president of the Colchester branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I think it is tremedous to have the Princess Royal coming to Colchester, particularly to honour the troops who have returned from Afghanistan.

“It means so much to the troops, and it means so much to the people of Colchester as well.”