« Back to 2003 News Archive

Surprise Home Coming for War Hero

GULF WAR HERO Raymond Shingleston this week came home to give his Stranraer dad the surprise of a lifetime.

Dad Raymond, snr,. was anxiously waiting for news of his son's whereabouts after learning troops were on their way back to Britain. But when the doorbell went at the family home in Fairhurst Road on Tuesday morning he answered it and found his son standing there in full combat gear!

" It was the biggest and best shock I have ever had," Raymond, snr,. told the Free Press.

"I just put my arms round him and gave him a huge hug. It brought a tear to my eye."

Lance-Bombardier Shingleston (28) served in and around Basra, in Southern Iraq, with 14 Regiment, Royal School of Artillery.

His job was to command patrols as well as fulfilling duties as a team medic. He admitted that he had seen some horrific sights during a traumatic three months spent in the Gulf region and now it was great to be home.

"We saw some pretty graphic things out there. It is good to be back home now and even better to have a few weeks rest and recuperation," he said.