AFTER six months in Afghanistan, a chilly Abingdon was a welcome sight for the town’s 12 Logistic Support Regiment.

The troops proudly marched through the town yesterday cheered on by family, friends and supporters.

About 180 soldiers from the 300-strong regiment, based at Dalton Barracks, were awarded medals for their first six months action in the war zone.

The troops, who returned in the autumn, spent the time in Helmand Province supplying frontline troops.

The regiment has the Freedom of the Town of Abingdon and some soldiers exercised their right to march with bayonets on rifles before the medal presentation in the Market Place.

After a speech by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson, they marched off for a thanksgiving service at St Helen’s Church.

Sandy Campbell, 27, of Fawley Close in Wantage, applauded her husband Lance Corporal Keith Campbell, 30.

He returned for 10 days in July to see the birth of their son Blake.

Mrs Campbell said: “I am immensely proud. We have three children, so it is good for them to be able to see all the hard work he has put in.

“And it is excellent that he is back for Christmas. We are going to have the best Christmas ever.”

Private Thomas Savill, 24, was supported by his wife Vicky Savill, 24.

She said: “I am very, very proud. It is hard when he is away, especially when you are in a new area, but you learn to get on with it.

“It is lovely to have him home safe and all in one piece, and it is going to be a brilliant Christmas. It is the time of year you really want them to be home.”

Staff Sergeant Peter Morris, 34, had seven family members cheering him on.

His wife Donna, 43, said his tour was particularly hard for their two children, China, four, and Chase, six.

She said: “We tell them, ‘Daddy is away kicking the bad man’s butt’, and he will come back when the goodies have won.”

His brother Paul Morris, 36, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, said: “It was definitely worrying when he was away and we are just glad to have him back. We are very proud to see him march and get his medal. It is fantastic.”

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Rose said: “We have been fighting against a pretty tenacious enemy and we have seen a lot of combat.

“The parade is a chance for the families of the soldiers to see them marching with a proud swelling in their chests for what they have achieved. The families have a really tough job and it is great to see we are supported.”