A civic celebration to mark the the safe return of 3,000 troops home to Colchester has been put on hold.
Former serviceman and councillor Terry Sutton said: "We were looking to do something like a simple church service to celebrate their return.
"Of course we want everybody home safe. Colchester has a history of troops coming and going."
He said the town was saddened by the deaths of the six, including Cpl Paul Long, who was a Colcestrian.
"There is sadness and shock that any of our troops are involved."
"At some time or other when people are walking down the streets of the town, they see military police."
Mr Sutton (Lib Dem, Berechurch) served with the Royal Army Ordnance for 23 years and was called up for the first Gulf War, although in the end he did not need to go.
Fellow councillor John Gray (Lib Dem, Prettygate) settled in Colchester after being stationed in the town several times with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.
He paid tribute to the military police, who he had served alongside in Northern Ireland.
He said: "They are very professional and it's a very sad loss to the Army."
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003
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