THE Devon and Dorset Light Infantry has arrived safely home from southern Iraq. Around 400 members of the First Battalion flew into to Teesside on Tuesday having completed a seven month tour in Basra, writes Lindsey Sill. Hundreds of loved ones will be making their way to the Alma Barracks in Catterick, north Yorkshire today in time for the Homecoming and Medal Parade being held tomorrow. Every serving soldier and officer who spent 30 days or more in theatre will receive an Iraq medal. Honours and awards for specific acts of bravery will be issued next spring. The DDLI arrived in Iraq in a deteriorating security situation. Nouri Maliki had just been confirmed as Prime Minister, Basra Provincial Council had withdrawn co-operation with the multinational forces. Their task was to train up the Iraqi Security Forces, drive down terrorism and protect Iraq's critical oil infrastructure. Lieutenant Colonel 'Toffer' Beattie, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry said: 'Soldiers from the battalion were involved in the arrests of scores of active and highly dangerous terrorists and in the seizure of hundreds of weapons and several tons of ammunition and explosives. 'We delivered community projects, providing basic utilities such as electricity, water, health care and sanitation, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. 'Our efforts in developing the fledgling Iraqi Security Forces produced dramatic results; local forces now take the lead in many of the major security operations across Basra province. Though there is still much to achieve, there is much we have to be proud of. And all this has been done in the most difficult circumstance imaginable. 'My soldiers have been constantly at risk from a capable, adaptable and determined enemy. 'The tempo of operations has been unrelenting and the conditions tremendously difficult, often entailing long hours in full kit in temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Centigrade. 'This was not a tour for the faint hearted, and what my soldiers achieved makes me enormously proud of each and every one of them. 'But as we look back over the tour we cannot help but remember one very sad loss; that of a much loved friend and a greatly admired colleague, Corporal John Johnston Cosby. As we now rejoin our loved ones our thoughts and prayers are with his family for whom this time of homecoming will be particularly difficult.' Corporal Cosby, 27, from Exeter was killed in a firefight in July during an operation to capture a key terrorist and accomplice.