AFTER seven months of risking life and limb in Afghanistan, troops from Abingdon got a hug from their loved ones when they arrived home yesterday.

Army families gathered to welcome 60 troops from 12 Logistic Support Regiment, part of the Royal Logistic Corps, back to their base at Dalton Barracks.

The troops were based at Camp Bastion, the main British base in Afghanistan, but spent countless hours on the road delivering supplies to combat troops at outposts around Helmand province.

Major Jo Chestnutt, 34, was welcomed by his fiancee Captain Lizzie Earl, 28, of 42 Engineer Regiment.

Clutching a Welcome Home balloon, and wiping away a tear, she said: “Jo has been away since March, so it’s an incredible relief to see him arrive back home.

“We’re going to get married in December but first we will celebrate tonight with a massive bottle of Champagne.”

Major Chestnutt said: “I received an e-bluey (email letter) from Lizzie every single day.

“I have been in the Army for 14 years now and this was my seventh tour.

“Three of my men were badly injured and there were some hairy moments for the team but we did manage to bring everyone home.”

Sgt Andy Rorke, 32, was greeted by his wife Tanya, 27, and sons Dean, four, and Dylan, one-and-a-half.

Sgt Rorke said: “My young-est son has grown so much that it’s hard to recognise him. He’s walking much more than when I left.

“It has been quite a rough tour but the boys have performed outstandingly well.”

Mrs Rorke added: “The wives on the base all support each other. You try not to think that something will go wrong but if you have been an Army wife for a long time, you have to be realistic.”

Private Keith Campbell held his baby son Blake as he was reunited with his wife Sandy, and their other sons Callum and Kieran.

Pte Campbell, who had made a flying visit to the UK during his tour of duty for Blake’s birth, said: “It really is great to be back.”

Corporal Luke Brier, 23, was welcomed back by wife Sarah, 21, and baby daughter Mia. He said: “I have been away for seven months and my baby was only two weeks old when I left – it’s amazing to see how much she has changed.”

Mrs Brier added: “I’ve been looking forward to today so much. There were tears in my eyes when I was coming down here.”

The regiment’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Rose, said: “It has been a hard tour and I’m very proud of what the boys and girls have achieved.

“This has been a baptism of fire for many and they’re glad to be back safe and sound to see their families and wives and girlfriends.

“A handful of soldiers suffered injuries but only a few were seriously injured.

“We encountered the Taliban all the time, but we stuck to our job of delivering everything that was needed, from weapons, to vehicles, to baked beans.”

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk