Published: 19/02/2009 00:00 -
Updated: 30/12/2009 02:48
MORE than 100 troops have been given an emotional welcome back to MoD Stafford after six months in Afghanistan.
troops
Some 120 members of 22 Signal Regiment arrived home from their tour of duty in Helmand Province where they have been providing vital communications links for the British army.
A further 85 are expected to return today after their flight from Cyprus developed technical problems.
Anxious wives, girlfriends and children were on hand to see their heroes march into the town base led by a single piper, before welcoming them back with open arms.
Ruth Branson had a double reason to celebrate the homecoming of Corporal Rob Bryan. The couple, who have been together less than a year, got engaged on his last trip home.
"We have been together less than a year. It's been horrible him being away. When he came back on leave we got engaged. I didn't want him to go back but he had to."
The pair will be partying with family and friends tomorrow at Miss Branson's Weeping Cross home to mark their engagement.
Dawn Miller's nerves were jangling as she waited for husband staff sergeant Greg Miller with their children Gemma and AJ.
"I'm really excited, I can't wait for him to get here, it's just dragged today," she said.
When they were finally reunited Sgt Miller took the opportunity to thank the people of Stafford for the hundreds of parcels they sent during the Newsletter's Treats for Troops campaign.
"It was nice to know people at home were thinking of us," he said.
Emma Thwaites, 26, couldn't wait to welcome home her husband Alexander, 28, a lance corporal with the regiment, along with their two daughters Katie, six, and Rebecca, four.
"Today they have been hyperactive," she said. "They came running into my room at 6.45 this morning shouting: 'No more days'."
In the bar after the homecoming ceremony Lance Corporal Thwaites said: "It's been dragging the last 24 hours but it's really great to be home."
Emma Hayward's husband Sam is also a lance corporal. Their two children Jack, six, and Katie Rose, two, joined her to welcome him back to base.
"It's not been too bad, we have had lots of support from the Army," she said. "The children have coped quite well but they are very excited today, climbing the walls."
Lieutenant Colonel Neil Fraser, commanding officer of 22 Signal Regiment, said: "It is only right to remember the sacrifices made by our families whose loved ones have been away for some time and to thank the people of Stafford for taking the regiment into their community supporting us with parcels and praise and welcoming us home."
Thousands of townsfolk are expected to turn out to welcome the regiment home when they parade through the town on Saturday, February 28.
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A further 85 are expected to return today after their flight from Cyprus developed technical problems.
Anxious wives, girlfriends and children were on hand to see their heroes march into the town base led by a single piper, before welcoming them back with open arms.
Ruth Branson had a double reason to celebrate the homecoming of Corporal Rob Bryan. The couple, who have been together less than a year, got engaged on his last trip home.
"We have been together less than a year. It's been horrible him being away. When he came back on leave we got engaged. I didn't want him to go back but he had to."
The pair will be partying with family and friends tomorrow at Miss Branson's Weeping Cross home to mark their engagement.
Dawn Miller's nerves were jangling as she waited for husband staff sergeant Greg Miller with their children Gemma and AJ.
"I'm really excited, I can't wait for him to get here, it's just dragged today," she said.
When they were finally reunited Sgt Miller took the opportunity to thank the people of Stafford for the hundreds of parcels they sent during the Newsletter's Treats for Troops campaign.
"It was nice to know people at home were thinking of us," he said.
Emma Thwaites, 26, couldn't wait to welcome home her husband Alexander, 28, a lance corporal with the regiment, along with their two daughters Katie, six, and Rebecca, four.
"Today they have been hyperactive," she said. "They came running into my room at 6.45 this morning shouting: 'No more days'."
In the bar after the homecoming ceremony Lance Corporal Thwaites said: "It's been dragging the last 24 hours but it's really great to be home."
Emma Hayward's husband Sam is also a lance corporal. Their two children Jack, six, and Katie Rose, two, joined her to welcome him back to base.
"It's not been too bad, we have had lots of support from the Army," she said. "The children have coped quite well but they are very excited today, climbing the walls."
Lieutenant Colonel Neil Fraser, commanding officer of 22 Signal Regiment, said: "It is only right to remember the sacrifices made by our families whose loved ones have been away for some time and to thank the people of Stafford for taking the regiment into their community supporting us with parcels and praise and welcoming us home."
Thousands of townsfolk are expected to turn out to welcome the regiment home when they parade through the town on Saturday, February 28.
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