Afternoon:
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ABOUT 500 soldiers, friends and family gathered at the Guards Chapel today to pray for the safe return of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards who will deploy to Helmand this month.
The Grenadiers, who are based in Wellington Barracks opposite Buckingham Palace, will replace the Welsh Guards, who have suffered five fatalities during their tour.
Before the service, commanding officer Lt-Col Roly Walker, 39, said: It will be demanding and testing but I'm really positive.
His wife, Kate, said: I am confident in what he does, I am very proud of him. We have a very good wives group called the SWAGs. We all look after each other.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, told the congregation: I hope you know that you're in the thoughts and prayers of millions of people here.
Londoner Lizzy Claxton, 30, whose husband Sgt David Claxton will go, said: I feel very proud of the men and women who are about to be deployed although I am equally heavy-hearted.
Her husband held their eight-month-old son Joseph during the service.
While the majority of the regiment goes to Helmand, one company will stay in London for ceremonial duties.
Staying with them is Guardsman Darren Sherwin, 22, whose identical twin David is deploying.
Darren, who fought in Helmand in 2007 while David was left behind on ceremonial duties, said: It will be hard but he has had the training. I've told him to keep low and move fast.
Colour Sergeant Steven Ross, 37, won a Military Cross in Iraq in 2006.
He said: I dread the news coming on with the wife sitting next to you. I don't know what she goes through when I say: See you in six months' and close the door.
