NINETEEN Territorial Army soldiers from Dorset had to survive rifle fire, mortar and rocket attacks during a tough tour of duty in Iraq.

They were based at Basra Palace and the men of C (Devon and Dorset) Company The Rifle Volunteers had to work hard to survive their six-month tour of duty from which they have just returned.

Their administration officer Captain Mick Jarrett, who is based at Dorchester, said: "Palace doesn't do the word justice. Our boys said it was a building about the size of Charminster.

"It was incredible and used to be Saddam Hussein's retreat with luxury everywhere, although many of the items have been stolen now."

He added that duties for C Company soldiers involved force protection including guarding the palace, making sure the area was secure and patrolling and keeping the peace within Basra City itself.

Captain Jarrett said: "They were shot at, the palace was mortared or their vehicles had rockets fired at them virtually every day.

"They only had one 12-day period off in the whole six months.

"Conditions out there were pretty poor. Our soldiers didn't stay in the palace itself but in whatever accommodation nearby they could get."

He added that fortunately no one from C Company was wounded although one TA soldier from E Company in Devon suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach. Colour Sergeant Tony Smith was shot when the patrol he was on was ambushed.

He was very seriously ill for a while, but is now expected to make a full recovery.

C Company's soldiers are now on leave from military duties until the New Year, although many of them will be returning to work in their normal daytime jobs.

Captain Jarrett said: "They want to get back to work as soon as possible as a mark of respect for their employers, who have kindly supported them while they were away in Iraq."