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Tears as soldiers welcomed home | Tears as soldiers welcomed home |
(10 minutes later) | |
Dozens of soldiers have had emotional reunions with their families after returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. | Dozens of soldiers have had emotional reunions with their families after returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. |
The 90 men and women from 42 Battery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery in Wiltshire have spent months on aerial reconnaissance operations. | The 90 men and women from 42 Battery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery in Wiltshire have spent months on aerial reconnaissance operations. |
They paraded through Robert Barracks in Larkhill and were met with tears, hugs and kisses from relatives. | They paraded through Robert Barracks in Larkhill and were met with tears, hugs and kisses from relatives. |
One was seeing his fiancee for the first time since proposing to her on the internet while on duty. | One was seeing his fiancee for the first time since proposing to her on the internet while on duty. |
Sergeant Del Derrick, 35, from Basingstoke, in Hampshire, said he could not wait to see Sara Petherick. | |
He said: "We were having a largely internet-based relationship anyway, it's the easiest way to communicate. | He said: "We were having a largely internet-based relationship anyway, it's the easiest way to communicate. |
"So I thought it was fitting to ask her to marry me. | "So I thought it was fitting to ask her to marry me. |
"We had only been together for a month and a half, but while I was out there, I just knew she was the one. | "We had only been together for a month and a half, but while I was out there, I just knew she was the one. |
"I haven't seen her for 108 days - and I couldn't wait to get back." | "I haven't seen her for 108 days - and I couldn't wait to get back." |
The couple will marry on November 26 in Mauritius - all arranged while Sgt Derrick was away. | The couple will marry on November 26 in Mauritius - all arranged while Sgt Derrick was away. |
Miss Petherick said: "I was worried while he was away, there are times when contact goes down and I don't hear from him, which is terrible. | Miss Petherick said: "I was worried while he was away, there are times when contact goes down and I don't hear from him, which is terrible. |
"It's just brilliant to have him back here." | "It's just brilliant to have him back here." |
I was really nervous and excited before seeing him. I couldn't sleep last night, it was like the night before Christmas. Emma Wilkinson | I was really nervous and excited before seeing him. I couldn't sleep last night, it was like the night before Christmas. Emma Wilkinson |
Emma Wilkinson, from Stroud, in Gloucestershire, came down to welcome her husband, 39-year-old Sergeant Paul Wilkinson, back from Afghanistan - the last time she will ever have to do so. | Emma Wilkinson, from Stroud, in Gloucestershire, came down to welcome her husband, 39-year-old Sergeant Paul Wilkinson, back from Afghanistan - the last time she will ever have to do so. |
"He's 39 and will retire next year after serving for 22 years and is never going to go overseas again," she said. | "He's 39 and will retire next year after serving for 22 years and is never going to go overseas again," she said. |
"I was really nervous and excited before seeing him, I couldn't sleep last night, it was like the night before Christmas." | "I was really nervous and excited before seeing him, I couldn't sleep last night, it was like the night before Christmas." |
Lance bombardier Ian Crane, 24, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, joined the Army when he was 16 and has been away in Iraq for just over six months. | Lance bombardier Ian Crane, 24, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, joined the Army when he was 16 and has been away in Iraq for just over six months. |
He was thrilled to see his one-year-old son Ashton - having only seen him twice since he was born. | He was thrilled to see his one-year-old son Ashton - having only seen him twice since he was born. |
"It's been a brilliant six months, but I could not wait to see my family," he said. | "It's been a brilliant six months, but I could not wait to see my family," he said. |
"I am back for about 18 months this time, so I should get to spend some quality time with them." | "I am back for about 18 months this time, so I should get to spend some quality time with them." |
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