Soldiers honoured on return from war zone
Nov 30 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal
JUST weeks ago, these brave North East soldiers were risking their lives on the front line. The servicemen, from Territorial Army battalions 205 Battalion Royal Artillery and 4 Platoon, 12 Company, 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment, were posted to Iraq and Afghanistan.
But now they are reunited with their families and re-adjusting to life back home.
The heroes were honoured yesterday in a special homecoming ceremony at South Shields town hall. A service paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of soldiers fighting in past and present conflicts across the globe, and remembered fallen colleagues.
It was also a chance to hand back the flag of the 205 Battalion, which has been flying above the hall since the troops were deployed.
Pte Martin Wrigglesworth, who was posted to Afghanistan, said he was glad to be home.
"There were still quite a lot of fire fights going on when I was out there," said the 27-year-old, from Stamfordham in Northumberland. "I enjoyed it, but it was good to be home. The first thing I did was go out with all my mates."
Bombardier David Smith, of South Shields, was based on the front line at Forward Operating Base Armadillo in Afghanistan.
The 45-year-old, whose day job is traffic warden, said: "We were further forward than the main camp. We saw a lot more fighting. It was a shock to the system going from the desert to cold England. One thing that we missed out there was the rain."
Captain Steve Phillips, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, has seen active service in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The 47-year-old, who has spent more than 20 years in the services, was thrilled to see his children again after his tours of duty.
"I miss my family a lot," he said. "Fortunately communications are much better than they used to be. You can drop your family an email or look on Facebook to keep in touch. But getting to see them again after being away is a lovely feeling."
Capt Phillips’ son Lewis, 18, is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Army when he leaves school.
