THE British Army's largest garrison has been celebrating the return of troops from the Gulf over the past few days .

But while some soldiers from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, are adjusting to being back at home, others are preparing for deployment to Iraq.

The 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards served with the 7th Armoured Brigade and 3 Commando of the Royal Marines around Basra during the conflict, playing a part in the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime and in keeping the peace in the city when hostilities were over.

Men from the Welsh Cavalry Regiment began returning to Cambrai Barracks last week. But, while their families have been welcoming them back, the 1st Battalion of The King's Regiment at neighbouring Bourlon Barracks were yesterday loading their Warrior armoured personnel carriers on to trailers for the long journey to the Middle East.

The first leg of the trip was the docks at Teesport in time for embarkation later today. Dozens of other vehicles will follow the same path over the coming weeks.

The Kings will be joined in Iraq by the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, 5 Regiment of the Royal Artillery, 3 Close Support Medical Regiment and 150 Provost Company of the Royal Military Police, all from Catterick.

Also on their way to the Gulf are 38 Engineer Regiment from Ripon and 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery from Topcliffe.

The 4,000-strong force forms 19 Mechanised Brigade, which took over the role of the British Army's high-readiness unit after completing a demanding training schedule in Canada last year.