In total, Great Britain contributed 40,000 soldiers to the coalition-led war in Iraq, 180 of whom lost their lives. Predominately based in and around the southern city of Basra, British troops faced the difficult task of bringing constant insurgent attacks under control whilst helping to re-build the city with basic facilities such as clean water and electricity.. From late 2006 to early 2008 British troops saw a marked increase in attacks from the militia, interpreted as an effort to disrupt and gain support of the local Shia community prior to the first state elections. These photographs were taken whilst embedded with the 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment during its 2007/2008 tour, one of the last British regiments to see active service in Iraq
