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The families of two Royal Welsh soldiers killed in Afghanistan are to be presented with a new medal in the Queen's name acknowledging their loss.More than 100 soldiers from 2nd Battalion's A Company are marking their official return from Helmand Province with a parade through Brecon, Powys.
Two members of the company, Privates Richard Hunt and James Prosser were killed by explosions during the tour.
The Elizabeth Cross came in to being in July last year.
The Queen gave her name to the decoration to be awarded to the next of kin of armed services personnel, in a mark of national recognition of their loss.
It was first time the name of a reigning monarch was given to a new award since the George Cross was instituted in 1940.
A Company arrived in Camp Bastion in Helmand in July last year and conducted a number of operations against the Taliban with the Afghan National Army.
In August last year, Pembrokeshire-born Pte Hunt, who grew up in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, became the 200th British soldier to die in the conflict.
His vehicle patrol was hit by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during operations in Musa Qaleh in the north of the province.
He was airlifted back to the UK but died in Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham.
Medals
In September last year, 21-year-old, Pte Prosser, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, was killed in an IED blast whilst driving a Warrior vehicle.
Saturday's ceremonies marks A Company's official return from Afghanistan and sees the Royal Welsh being given the freedom of the town.
Following a church service in the morning, the soldiers will march through Brecon at midday, led by The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh.
The Lord Lieutenant Powys, Shan Legge-Bourke, will present operational medals and accept the honorary citizenship of the town on behalf of the Royal Welsh from Lord Mayor of Brecon, Councillor Ieuan Williams.
The families of Pte Hunt and Pte Prosser will be presented with their Elizabeth Cross medals.
'Army headquarters'
Brigadier Russ Wardle, head of the Army in Wales, said the Army had a "proud heritage" in Brecon.
He said: "The Royal Welsh, in its previous guises, has been proud to be honoured with the freedom of Brecon and are delighted to be granted this privilege once again.
"Brecon has a significant link to the Army, not only in an historical context over the course of the last century, but as a training ground for the modern-day soldier, and as the headquarters of the Army in Wales."This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.