Homecoming for troops

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester pinned campaign medals on the chests of the men and women who served in the country's volatile Helmand Province during a homecoming parade held at Brock Barracks in Reading.

There were tears and smiles as the Territorial Army (TA) soldiers marched into the parade square with loved ones watching on, waving flags and cheering.

The soldiers, some of whom are based at Slade Barracks in Oxford and formed Salonika Company for the tour, are all part of the Rifles and the ceremony marked the end of a 10-month campaign which had forced them to put their civilian lives on hold.

Before releasing them on leave, Lieutenant General Nicholas Parker, Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, told the troops: "You have been a long way from home in an inhospitable environment and away from loved ones over Christmas.

"Each one of you in your own way has made your own contribution.

"Please rest assured, you have left a significant legacy.

"We are proud of your efforts."Major John Skliros, helps pin a medal to Rifleman Daniel Hobley, of Witney Among the Oxfordshire soldiers who were reunited with loved ones was Corporal David Hutchinson, of Blackbird Leys, Oxford, a father-of six, who has been in the TA for nearly 30 years and who has served all over the world.

He said: "I am just so looking forward to getting home - it's brilliant that we are all back together again."

His wife Dawn, 49, said: "I am so relieved he is home safe and well."

Cpl Hutchinson, who turned 50 on Monday, had been hoping to serve in Afghanistan alongside his son Christopher who is in the 4 Rifles.

He only returned home from serving in Iraq last November and had volunteered to go to Afghanistan but will now not be mobilised until next year.

Rifleman Carl Alford, who at 23 is one of the youngest to have completed two tours, was delighted to see his family.

Rfm Alford, of Northway, Oxford, was greeted by mum Judith, gran Brenda Cooper, aunt Sharon Talbot and girlfriend Melanie Hook.

He said: "It's quite emotional to be finally home - but I am certainly very relieved."

He also served in war-torn Iraqi city of Basra in 2005, which helped his mother this time around.

She said: "I knew that, unlike last time, he would get on with the job he had to do and we made sure we kept in touch."

Miss Hook, 23, a teaching assistant at Pegasus Primary School, in Blackbird Leys, said: "It wasn't too bad because we were keeping in touch via Facebook, but it's lovely to have him home."

Another soldier with a large welcome home party was Lance Corporal Leonie Barnard, the company medic. The 26-year-old, who graduated from Oxford Brookes University not long before being mobilised, was delighted to see her parents Paul and Sharon, who had flown in especially from Brussels for their daughter's special occasion.

And friends Michelle Robb, Steve Robinson, Rachel Lyons and Liz Thompson, all from Headington, made the journey to welcome home their pal from Afghanistan.

Miss Barnard said: "It's nice to be back, but it's also quite strange.

"We knew there was always the potential for something to go wrong - but luckily nothing ever did."

She met Lance Corporal Carl Young, from Swindon, while on tour and the pair are now going to move into together.

Rifleman Daniel Hobley, 22, a former Henry Box School pupil from Witney, said: "I really feel like I have achieved something.

"It has changed me. I now definitely have a different outlook on life."

His mother Julie added: "I have been worrying myself stupid, but now I am just so happy to have him home."

Receiving his campaign medal was a bitter-sweet experience for Rifleman Lloyd Crockford.

The 30-year-old from Charlbury went through more than most during his time away, when he lost his mother from cancer a month into the tour.

He was flown back to the UK on a special RAF flight and arrived home just an hour before his mum Margaret passed away - and after two weeks with his family in west Oxfordshire he requested to return to Afghanistan and complete the tour.

He said: "My mother always told me if you start something, you finish it, so I asked to go back because I knew it was the right thing to do.

"I was very proud to receive my medal and I know my mum would have been too. I wish she could have been here to see it all."

Dad John and brothers William and Sam with their wives Amy and Emma were there to welcome Rfm Crockford home.

John said: "It has been a difficult time for us all.

"We have all been trying to carry on, but at least we had each other whereas Lloyd was on his own, so I think that must have been incredibly tough."

Rfm Crockford is looking forward to a trip to Australia to see his other brother Josh and sister-in-law Deborah before returning home to work at Yarnton Nurseries.