Three members of the same family have touched back down on British soil after serving in the Gulf.
Married Steve and Tania Finch and Steve's brother Paul were all posted to the region during the war in Iraq and, after a brief holiday, have now returned to their military bases.
The brothers' proud parents, Geoff and Sue Finch, of Clacton, have told how they were inundated with goodwill messages while their sons and daughter-in-law were away.
Mr Finch said they had received messages from neighbours, friends and Sue's colleagues and customers at Marks and Spencer in Clacton, where she works.
"We just wanted to let them know they are back safe and well, and wanted to say how grateful they were," said Mr Finch.
Since returning, Steve, 32, and Tania, 35, have both been promoted. Steve, who is in the Royal Artillery, was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant while Tania, who was a company sergeant major in the Royal Logistics Corps, is now regimental sergeant major.
Paul, 28, is a corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Published Friday, August 1, 2003
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