Soldiers will be parading through Watford next month to celebrate the success of their mission in Iraq.

The Second Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, which recruits from Hertfordshire and nearby counties and is known as the Poachers, returned from its second tour of sputhern Iraq in two years just before Christmas.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Browne said: “ During those tours the battalion sacrificed much to improve the conditions in that war-torn country, including, in 2006, the lives of two of its fine young soldiers.

“From what looked like a hopeless situation in late 2006, a transformation has since occurred in Basra, Iraq’s second city, bringing peace and the first signs of prosperity.

At the heart of this transformation were the Poachers, who by working alongside the Iraqi security forces, brought order and peace to a city which lies at the very heart of that nation’s future.

It was a huge achievement which, during the long hot summer of 2008, went largely unreported in the national media. This was a pity as, given the strategic nature of the battalion’s success, the soldiers deserved to be recognised for doing a difficult job, thoroughly professionally, on behalf of their country.

“In March, the battalion has been invited to return from their base in Germany, in order to conduct four homecoming parades.”

At 12.30pm on March 11, the battalion will march from Lower High Street, across Exchange Road to a parade and formal inspection by British Home Stores in High Street.

“Please make every effort to attend whichever parade is nearest to you; then cheer on the Poachers as they march past with their drums beating, bands playing, colours flying and bayonets fixed. After all, they did their duty - for you.”

At 12.30pm on March 11, the battalion will march from Lower High Street, across Exchange Road to a parade and formal inspection by British Home Stores in High Street.

Other parades will be made in Luton, Stamford, and Lincoln.