Soldiers head for home after their return to Dalton Barracks Weary soldiers arrived back in Abingdon yesterday after a six-month stint providing supplies for Army colleagues.

The 280 troops of 3 Close Support Regiment, of the Royal Logistic Corps, had a quiet homecoming, because flight delays meant they were two hours late returning to their base.

Because of the timing problems, not a single family member was there to greet the returning soldiers as they fianlly reached Dalton Barracks at about 9.30am.

Capt Charlie Poole, the unit welfare officer at the barracks, was not surprised.

He said: "The troops came in at a difficult time, with wives and partners at work or taking children to school.

"They had been in touch by phone and would be reunited with their families and friends at home later in the day."

After 21 years in the Army, Capt Colin Atkinson took a philosophical approach.

"Like most wives these days, my wife has to go out to work and so the timing was not good for her," he said.

"But she and my two boys knew I was on my way and that I was safe."

After six months of stress and strain in one of the most dangerous places to serve, the Abingdon-based men and women were glad to be back for some rest and recuperation away from the daily grind and danger they encountered in southern Iraq.

The regiment left Dalton Barracks in May and since then the specialist troops have kept the British Army in Iraq equipped with ammunition, spares, medicines, water and a multitude of supplies.

They worked throughout the south east of the country, from the logistics base at Shaibah to Iraq's second city of Basra -- which has hit the headline this year as violence against British and American troops has escalated.

Capt Atkinson, 40, said life was tough and dangerous for troops.

He added: "Everyone who goes out on the road is at risk.

"It's stressful and what make it more serious is that the insurgents are getting cleverer and using more sophisticated devices.

"Morale is still very high. A lot of work goes on protecting soldiers and the Army and police are doing a lot of work training Iraqi soldiers and police.

"Unless the Iraqi Government wants us and the Americans to stay, I don't think we'll be there forever."

Private Ben Morgan, 26, has completed his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was part of the force protection unit, escorting army and civilian convoys.

He said: "It's very dangerous out there, because some people don't like us and want to harm our troops.

"There are so many dangers, such as roadside bombs, car bombs and rocket-propelled grenades.

"I was involved in a minor incident when an explosive device went off close by, but fortunately it caused little damage to property and no-one was hurt.

"It brought home the risks we face. It's good to be back home safe and well."