They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and for Colchester troops returning from peace-keeping duties 3,500 miles away from home it seems to be true.
The stork is turning up regularly on doorsteps at Colchester Garrison as Army families are having a baby boom, nine months after the troops returned from their peace-keeping duties in Afghanistan.
New arrival - Darren and Amanda Miah with baby Ellie-Mai Picture: STEVE ARGENT
The Iceni midwives team who look after expectant mums have had 16 more arrivals to look after in December and January than they normally expect.
The winter is traditionally a quieter time for births. Forty per cent of the team's work is caring for pregnancies at the Garrison.
An Essex Rivers Health Care Trust spokesman said: "There is a baby boom at the Garrison. There is always a mini-boom about nine months after returning from a long tour overseas."
Soldiers from 2 Para were in war-torn Afghanistan last winter, where they featured in a Panorama programme about the operation.
Colchester-based troops from 216 Signal Squadron, 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, 16 Close Support Medical Regiment and 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police, were all part of the international peace-keeping mission 3,500 miles away from home.
Proud parents Darren and Amanda Miah, both corporals with Colchester-based 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, are celebrating the arrival of their first child, Ellie-Mai, who was born on January 3.
Published Monday, January 13, 2003
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