A SOLDIER from Hereford has returned home to a hero's welcome after three gruelling months in the Gulf.

Celebrations were led by proud mum, Marie Richards.

The 20-year-old Desert Rat, who is in the Seventh Armoured Brigade, had been admitted to hospital shortly before his return on June 7.

Fit and well again and speaking from his Newton Farm home, he said: "I'm glad to be home, it was a bit nasty out there."

Dehydration

He added: "I have seen a lot of bad things. It was the little kids running up to you and asking for food and water that was hard. I have been out and done a job, but I'm back now, so I'm happy."

Jonathan is in the same regiment as his long-term girlfriend, Stacey Taylor from Liverpool, also back home.

The two are planning to spend some of their summer leave on a holiday to Spain - where Jonathan will have a big question to pop.

The emotional reunion with his mum, Marie, was a long time coming. She said: "He's suffering from dehydration and low body salts - that is exhaustion," she said.

Marie, whose husband was also in the services, had used her emotional reserves to bolster the county's Families at War.

It wasn't until the end of May, when she was counting proceeds from a fundraising day in Hereford, for troops in Iraq, the Soldiers', Sailors', Airmen's and Families Association and the Red Cross, that she could seriously plan her son's return.

To mark his homecoming the Richard's household was festooned in yellow ribbons and a large Union Jack.

Marie has helped prepare other Herefordshire families for the occasion through Supporting Families at War, a group who meet at Hereford's Orange Tree pub.

"We started off as a group that helped each other. We have also collected things like boiled sweets and razors to send out."

At the fundraising day, The Orange Tree was joined by Hereford's Spread Eagle, Queen's Arms and Stage Coach pubs to raise money.

Supporting the event was ex- World War Two fighter pilot Chris Farmer and the county's Rev. Jimmy Morrison, who said closing prayers.

"Some families will need a lot of support when the boys are back. They will not return as the bouncy boys who left," added Marie.