Winchester Mayor entertains soldiers (From This is Hampshire)
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Winchester Mayor entertains soldiers
10:11am Wednesday 5th December 2007 in News
TWO recently-returned soldiers were given the red carpet treatment at Winchester's Abbey House, courtesy of the Mayor, Cllr Chris Pines.
Cllr Pines invited the pair, who had served a tour of duty in Iraq, to tea at his official residence on yesterday (December 4) along with their relatives.
Lance Corporal Daniel Tyson, from Sutton Scotney, and Lance Corporal Daniel Currie, from Winnall, both serve with The Rifles.
The pair, both 24, spent seven months based at Basra Palace, and went on motorised patrols in Iraq's second city.
L Cpl Tyson joined the Royal Green Jackets, now part of The Rifles, four years ago, while L Cpl Currie has seen seven years' service.
Their previous postings have included Canada, Germany, Cyprus, Bermuda, South Africa, Qatar, Kuwait and Northern Ireland.
However, they both agreed that Iraq was the toughest environment.
They often headed out in vehicle patrols looking for signs of enemy activity while struggling with intense heat.
L Cpl Tyson said: "Your family is the thing you miss the most at those times."
His colleague added that it was impossible to "switch off", even when back at the base.
L Cpl Currie said: "You have to be alert at all times, because you might come under attack or mortar fire, and it is hard there."
Cllr Pines knows both of them, having met L Cpl Currie at the Bakers Arms pub in Winchester several years ago.
He has known L Cpl Tyson even longer, having taught him at Winnall Primary School in the late 1980s.
L Cpl Currie added that they appreciated the event organised by Cllr Pines to welcome them home.
"I was really surprised, as this kind of thing doesn't usually happen to us," he said.
L Cpl Tyson added: "It's a real boost to the guys if we know that the public is supporting us."
Both soldiers will be home this Christmas. They added that their next overseas service could be in Afghanistan, although they are not due to leave Britain again before 2009.
