Brothers return home safe from Afghan (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Brothers return home safe from Afghan

4:00pm Thursday 20th May 2010 in News By Steve Sowden

CHARD brothers Jonathan and Daniel Stone have returned home safe and sound following seven-month tour of duties in Afghanistan.

Sgt Jonathon Stone, 36, and his brother Lance Corporal Daniel Stone, 22, returned to their base in Edinburgh earlier this month after being in Helmand province with 3 Rifles since last September.

Their parents, Maggie and Eric, and other members of the family went to Scotland for a celebratory homecoming parade and emotional reunion with the duo.

Maggie said: “We are very proud of what our sons have done.

“As soldiers they have been doing what they were trained to do in difficult circumstances.

“It was great to see them walk down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and receive medals from Princess Alexandra.”

Daniel, who was based at Kajaki Dam, which provided hydro-electric power for most of Helmand, is considering his options, as this was his second tour of Afghanistan.

Jonathan has now completed tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was based in Sangin.

He is intending to continue his career in the Army – 3 Rifles will be returning to Afghanistan in two years.