Campaigner's son returns from Gulf (From Western Telegraph)

Campaigner's son returns from Gulf

It was a wonderful day for Mary and Terry Griffiths, of Haverfordwest, when their son Neil came home from the Gulf.

And they received another boost just a few days later when their future son-in-law, Vinny Smith, also returned home safe and sound.

Neil, a member of the Royal Logistic Corps, had returned to Germany first to be with his wife Lisa, whom he had married just before going out to the Gulf.

Then he travelled to Haverfordwest to see his family. "He didn't want any fuss or bother. He just wanted to chill out," said Mary, who started the yellow ribbon campaign in the county to back the local men and women serving in the Gulf.

"Neil doesn't want to talk about his time in the Gulf and I get upset just thinking about it," added Mary. "We're just so glad that he came home safe and well."

Neil, who has been in the Army for 17 years, is not sure whether he will be going back to the Gulf or whether he will be heading for Kosovo or Bosnia. Neil's sister, Linda, was overjoyed at the return of fianc Vinny, who serves with the 14th Signal Regiment at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy.

Vinny and Neil managed to meet in Iraq around three weeks ago while both stationed in Basra.

Mary said: "I really do realise how lucky I am to have them both come back. I really can't believe it."