THE four soldiers from 23 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistics Corps had not seen their families since April.

While fighting Taliban forces in the war-torn Helmand province, in Afghanistan, they had just 30 minutes' call time each week to speak to loved ones.

The comfort of a home-cooked roast dinner was also half a world away - the men survived on basic rations for four months.

But now they and their regiment - motto, Labor omnia vincit (labour conquers all), which comes from its historical function of building trenches, roads and bridges and moving supplies - have returned home safely, there is time to reflect and look forward to family meals.

Platoon Commander Lieutenant Gregg McLeod said his main concern was to bring all 28 soldiers back safely.

The 25-year-old, who joined 23 Pioneer Regiment in 2005, said: "The main reason I joined the Army was because of the challenges it would bring to my life."

"Not only do you get to do something for others, but you also get to see the world and it is a lot of fun as well."

He and his troops returned to an "overwhelming" welcome from the community at the barracks on Sunday.

He said: "They have been very friendly. Many family and friends welcomed the whole troop back."

Serving in Afghanistan had been an intense experience for the soldier, who had wanted to join up since the age of 18.

He said: "The tempo would be low but then it would suddenly increase and lots of units would be working together.

"The adrenaline rush is fantastic, but then it's the days later when it hits you and you realise how close you were."

All four soldiers felt relieved to be out of the heat of battle.

The youngest of the four, 19-year-old Private James Law, described his first contact with the Taliban.

"My first contact with the Taliban was when a Lance Corporal from another regiment was shot in the eye by a sniper.

"There was some panic, and the Pioneers went in to retrieve the body while under fire."

The young medic saved a Taliban soldier in battle, but did not find out until afterwards.

He said: "At first we thought he was just a soldier but then afterwards we realised he was with the Taliban. This created a lot of mixed feelings. I was angry, but we used him for information."

'I am already volunteered to go back in 2009' Pte James Law But his experience of combat has not put him off. Pte Law said: "I am already volunteered to go back in 2009."

Lance Corporal Gareth Patterson, who went to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2006, said living in the green zone - surrounded by fields, trees and rivers - and surviving on daily rations for four months was hard.

His 24-hour ration pack included biscuits and chocolate for snacks, and a Lucozade sachet to add to water. Breakfast was beans with bacon or sausage, and dinner was beef stew and dumplings.

The 25-year-old, who has been with 23 Pioneers for six years, said: "When you have eaten the same food for four months you crave something different.

"I really missed my family and friends, but I also missed a good Sunday roast."

Like many soldiers, Lance Corporal Patterson was confronted with dead and wounded Taliban.

For many of the troops suffering the stress and trauma of war, seeing enemy troops killed felt like a kind of justice.

Cpl Patterson explained: "When I saw those who had tried to kill us, lying there dead on the floor, I didn't feel sympathy for them, all I thought was 'well, they tried to kill us, now look at them'."

The Northern Ireland-born soldier said keeping in touch with loved ones during the tour had been difficult.

He said: "You get 30 minutes of call time a week. It depends if you are on base whether you can make the call, and 30 minutes is not very long.

"I prefer to write and I like receiving letters - although sometimes you may not get post for up to three weeks, which can be a struggle."

Private Akuila Uluiviti said the soldiers soon adjusted to sudden explosions.

The 24-year-old Fijian said: "You hear the daily noise of gunshots and bombs, but once you get over the initial shock, you get used to it.

"When we were not fighting we would turn our attention to cooking different dishes. We cooked some mongoose, which tasted just like chicken. We also caught a sheep, which reminded me of home.

The troops dealt with the possibility of being killed every day. Pte Uluiviti said: "My biggest fear was not seeing my parents again, but you have to remain hopeful and be positive."