A BEWDLEY soldier has returned home to a warm welcome from his family and friends after six months serving in Afghanistan.

Private Adam Leeke, of the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment, came back from his tour of duty in Helmand Province, last Tuesday. He spent six months patrolling the local area, after he was deployed to the country in March.

The 19-year-old, of Stourport Road, who joined the Army a year ago, said his friends and family were pleased that he was back home. “It feels brilliant to be home. I’m thrilled to be back,” he added.

“It’s a lot of hard work over there with the heat but you can’t get more of an exciting job.

“I was doing top cover. I was a gunner on the top of the vehicle. I enjoyed bits of it and I didn’t enjoy others but it was all good.”

He added that he was saddened to hear of the death of Kidderminster soldier, Lance Corporal Richard Brandon.

“It’s awful what happened to [Richard Brandon]. My thoughts go out to his friends and family. I didn’t know him personally but it’s still sad.”

The former Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre pupil said he did not lose any close friends in Afghanistan but saw some of his friends injured.

“It’s terrible seeing it but you have to make efforts to get them out of the situation,” he told The Shuttle.

“The main thing is getting them out so they can get back to safety. It was pretty scary.”

Private Leeke, who is on leave until after Christmas, said he joined the Army because of the physical work.

“I didn’t really like college,” he said, ”I’m no good with pen and paper so decided to go into the Army because it’s hands-on work.”

Private Leeke will spend a year in Belfast once his leave is over and is expected to return to Afghanistan in about two years.