Son to serve with father in Afghanistan (From Oxford Mail)

Son to serve with father in Afghanistan

6:00am Thursday 8th November 2007 in News By George Hamilton

A soldier has volunteered to serve with his father in Afghanistan - despite the fact that he has been fighting in Iraq for the last six months.

Lance Corporal Chris Hutchinson, 25, followed in his father David's footsteps by signing up to an Army career in 4 Rifles in 2002.

Chris has been stationed in Iraq since May. Last month his father David, a Territorial Army Corporal in 7 Rifles, was called up to take on the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Now former Peers School student Chris wants to join Falklands veteran David, 49, on the front line once his tour of duty is finished on November 22.

Chris's mum Dawn Hutchinson, 49, said: "He just wants father and son to be together again. He said Dad is a lot older now - I am young and I can run'.

"He wants to make sure his dad is safe and wants to look after him.

"David said he would be honoured to be with his son but he feels the same as me - Chris has done his time and he should be with his family back here."

Father-of-three Chris handed in a request to serve with his dad shortly after he returned to Blackbird Leys, where he lives near his mum and dad, for two weeks' leave last month.

Dawn, who has six children with David, had to wave goodbye to both of them within 24 hours as Chris returned to Iraq and David, 49, made his way to Afghanistan.

The father and son then met by coincidence at the departure lounge at RAF Brize Norton.

She said: "It hurts big time that they are away. It makes you feel depressed and down."

But she added: "I am very proud of both of them. I was really cut up with Chris going - I really did not think that he would go.

"I took him down to his place at Bulfordcorr - the Kiwi Barracks - and I asked him what the big boxes were for and he said If anything happens to me these go to you'.

"I just broke down."

Chris's wife Emma Hutchinson added: "It is bad enough having one of your men going - but two is terrible.

"When you are on your own everything is going through your mind. Will you have to bury your husband or do you end up living a happy life when he gets back?

"Chris came face-to-face with one of the blokes and it was him or the other man - he had a confirmed kill and that really frightened him.

"I just want them back safely."

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said there was no regulation barring father and son serving together - although she ony knew of one case, in the same regiment in Iraq.