Welcome home for two soldiers (From Barry And District News)

Welcome home for two soldiers

A BARRY soldier who was sent to the Gulf front line just weeks after his mum died has come home.

Gareth Jones, 19, of Coldbrook Road East lost his mum Michelle Lane in December.

The Marie Curie hospice volunteer died two days before her 41st birthday of a brain haemorrhage.

When news came that the young Queen's Dragoon Guards soldier was being sent to Iraq, his grandmother Bonnie Bellamy, 62, was furious her grandson was going to war so soon after his personal tragedy.

But Gareth said he had motivation: "I was scared, but after I realised I had to go, I wanted to do it for my mother.

It was a good experience, but one I don't want again - especially in that heat."

Gareth was posted in Basra and around Baghdad.

But two weeks ago, Bonnie got a call from Gareth who was boarding a plane to come home.

She said: "I was over the moon. His little sister Lois, who's nine, and I had been so worried."

The Gulf War Support Group threw a party for the homecoming soldier and his friend Ashley Karnicki, 19, who was also returning home.

Ashley was mortared while on duty and suffered burns to his leg.

He said: "I'm lucky. The doctors thought I'd need a skin graft, but I'm healing better than hoped."

The get-together was in the Dow Corning Social Club on Friday.

The RAFA raised £350 towards the night and Dow Corning gave a reduced rate for the hall.

Claire Ryan, who set up the support group said: "I could never have done it without the help of one volunteer - Sheila Charles.

"Her partner Pete Davies is still out in the Gulf, but she's been a rock. Families whose loved ones are still out in the Gulf were at the party, and MP John Smith came to say welcome home.

It was lovely."