MONTHS of anticipation came to an emotional end this week as loved ones waited in the pouring rain for the Welsh Guards to return to Aldershot from Afghanistan. 

Tears of joy for those arriving back safely at Lille Barracks were mixed with feelings of immense sorrow for those who did not make it.

As the three buses arrived just before 7pm the crowd cheered and clapped and ran to greet them.

Children were shouting, “there’s daddy” with excitement as they were reunited with their fathers.

Soldier Luke Andrew David was reunited with colleague Dale Leach, who had to return in June after losing a leg in a roadside blast.

“It was brilliant to see my best mate again. It had not been too bad until my mate Dale go injured. The locals were OK,” he said.

Dale Leach said: “They have done a really good job and they can hold their heads up high.”

Kyle Watts, 21, who fired mortars while on tour, was greeted by his wife Kayleigh and seven-month-old daughter Megan.

He said he was going home to watch television and have a Chinese takeaway.

“It’s a great feeling seeing them all again. It will take some time to get used to being back here again.

The 500-strong battalion returned home throughout the week.

The largest group of 130 soldiers from two companies, headed by Company Commander Major Henry Bettinson, were greeted by families and friends on Wednesday. 

They will be followed on Saturday October 10 by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Antelme, who assumed command in theatre following the death of Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe MBE.

The soldiers’ have spent six months in Helmand Province taking part in their mission to defeat the Taliban as part of Operation Herrick.

Maj Bettinson was greated by wife Marlo, son Harry, two, and one-year-old daughter Camilla.

He said: “It has been a successful mission. We went out there to help and we have done a lot. It has been an emotional challenge.

“It’s good to be home.”

Huge hug

As families waited anxiously for the bus to arrive there was a sense of excitement and expectation.

Some wives and girlfriends brought their children along, who were overwhelmed with the excitement of seeing their fathers once again.

Gemma Davies was with her nine-and-half week old baby waiting for husband David to return home.

“He met her three days after her birth before he had to go back,” said Mrs Davies.

“It’s been stressful when you hear in the morning that a soldier had been killed. You think every morning someone is going to come up to your door telling you what they have told someone else [that he’s died].

“Every car noise gives you a heart attack. Plenty of people have had that knock on the door.”

Twenty-six-year-old Katie Thomas said she would give fiance Mark Hawker a huge hug when he stepped off the bus.

“We’re getting married on November 13. He had a couple of close scrapes. It has been a nightmare being without him and I am looking forward to doing more and more things,” she said.

Major Dai Bevan, Officer in Command of the rear party, which is left behind at the barracks to fulfil administrative duties while the rest of the troops were in Afghanistan, also greeted troops.

As did soldiers who had to return early from battle.

Rifleman Gizzie was shot in the ankle in what was his first tour of duty and was forced to return from Afghanistan in May.

“It was an amazing place [the hospital at Camp Bastion]. It was an eye opener and like nothing I have ever seen.

“I want to go back. It is part of my job and I have not seen some of my mates for six months.”

Major Alex Corbet Burcher returned to Aldershot on Monday night and in Afghanistan was responsible for securing Lashka Gar, in Helmand.

“It has been extremely hard, extremely rewarding, and an absolute emotional rollercoaster. Every single emotion has been covered,” he said.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the army and battle group.”

Talking about the death of Lt Col Thorneloe, the guards’s commanding officer, he said: “It was a shock.

“I was impressed by the way the group continued. He was a great leader and set a fantastic example, and the blokes loved him.”

Morale booster

Their return was also marked outside the barracks, in and around the military town.

“Aldershot welcomes home the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards” banners were strategically placed in Queen's Avenue and Alison's Road by Rushmoor Borough Council.

The council’s chief executive Andrew Lloyd said it was crucial to give the troops a warm welcome.

“It’s something we have been doing for a little while now because it’s very important for soldiers returning who have been risking their lives to know we value them and are pleased to see their safe return,” he said.           

Former Rushmoor Mayor Jim White, who served in the British Army between 1955 and 1957, said it was extremely important for the soldiers to have a homecoming.

“It’s a real morale booster,” he said.

“When I went abroad we were on a boat and you did not know if you were coming back. Fortunately I came back but I lost some mates who did not.”    

Mr White fought in Malaya for 18 months before being posted to Germany.

“In my day when you came back you got nothing. We docked at Liverpool, they dropped us off shoved us on vehicles to get to the station gave me a travel warrant to get home.

“I arrived home about 11pm and nobody met me. It would have been nice for someone to have said Thank You for what you did.”

Before the Welsh Guards were deployed six months ago, the battalion attended a service at the Cathedral Church of St Michael and St George in Queens Avenue, Aldershot.

There Captain Deiniol Morgan advised the men to be hard working and prudent in order to succeed in their mission.       

Speaking at the time, Lt Col Thorneloe told the News & Mail he and his men were looking forward to going to Helmand province to complete a task “they really relish”.   

A more formal homecoming parade for the Welsh Guards is due to be planned later in the year.

Site navigation

• Home
• News
• Business
• Sport
• Entertainment
• Lifestyle
• Jobs
• Property
• Motoring

• A A A A
• RSS Feed