Iraq war soldiers arrive home

Sgt Scott Gray was greeted by wife Elaine and son Cameron

Emotional scenes greeted the return of the soldiers who fired the opening shots in the war in Iraq.

The 90 troops from two regiments, who secured the southern Iraqi city of Basra, arresting 50 Ba'ath party loyalists, flew into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire early on Monday.

Twenty-two gunners of 47 Regiment Royal Artillery then returned to their home base of Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire.

A further 70 troops of the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Artillery travelled back to Lille Barracks, in Aldershot.

It was hard waiting for him but now he's back it's brilliant

Elaine Gray

Sgt Scott Gray got off the coach to be greeted by his wife, Elaine, and two-year-old son Cameron, who threw his arms around his father and said "Daddy".

Sgt Gray from Glasgow said: "It was hard being away and I spent the time trying to dodge Iraqi shrapnel to get back home. It's brilliant to be home to see my family."

His wife Elaine said: "It was hard waiting for him but now he's back it's brilliant."

More members of the several hundred-strong regiment will follow in the coming days and weeks.

The regiment, which deployed in February, was the first to fire shots in combat during the land campaign, in support of US Marines.

Later in the war they reverted to their role of supporting the 16 Air Assault Brigade.