Local TA soldiers back from Iraq (From Stroud News and Journal)

Local TA soldiers back from Iraq

TWO Territorial Army soldiers are back home in Stroud after seven months alongside regular army comrades at Shaibah in Southern Iraq.

Lance Corporal Stuart Houston, 28, and Trooper Robert Ruston, 28, were mobilised in August last year along with half a dozen other members of C (Royal Gloucestershire Hussars) Squadron, based at Cirencester.

They formed part of a 43-strong contingent from the four Squadrons of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry across the south west, augmenting regulars of The Royal Dragoon Guards Battle Group.

Stuart, who works for Manning Construction on the decommissioning of Berkeley nuclear power station, was assigned to garrison security.

Meanwhile Robert, a motor mechanic at Four Ways Garage in Bussage, finished his tour working with the Coalition Liaison Team.

He said: "It involved working with the re-formed Iraqi Army, issuing them with new kit, and it really felt like you were doing a good job for them.

"We soon got over the language barrier, because they would pick up English as quickly as we would Arabic.

"Before that I was on night-time patrols, convoys and escorts as well as camp security.

"We weren't there at the hottest time of the year but it did get up to 54 deg C - and eventually you got used to being rather hot and sweaty," added Robert, who is married to Stacey and has two children, Shannon, 9, and Danielle, 5.

Stuart's duties included security checks on the 500-plus civilian staff working in the garrison.

"They had to queue and be searched every morning to make sure there were no 'suicide vests'," he explained.

"We did have one vehicle explosion last January in which two Iraqi civilians died.

"The bomber had apparently stopped the car, got out and set off the bomb by remote control with a mobile phone. He got away."

Like his fellow Reservists, Stuart is currently enjoying six weeks' army leave before returning to work.

His parents, Terence and Vivien, said: "We knew he was in safe hands - but we are glad to see him back."