Soldier returns from Afghanistan to hero’s welcome (From York Press)

Private Ben Driscoll returns from Afghanistan to hero’s welcome

8:39am Monday 29th October 2012 in News By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

A YORK soldier has been given a home-coming to remember by his family.

Private Ben Driscoll, of Water Lane, in Clifton, returned from Afghanistan to a hero’s welcome from his mum, Barbara, sister, Louise, and four-year-old niece, Ellie.

Pte Driscoll, 20, has just finished his first tour of duty in Helmand Province with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

On Friday he attended the funeral in Skipton of his platoon sergeant, Gareth Thursby, 29, who was killed by a rogue Afghan policeman last month.

Pte Driscoll said the funeral was very moving with hundreds of people lining the streets.

He said: “Sgt Thursby was my platoon sergeant while I was training so I wasn’t in the camp where it happened and wasn’t involved in that at all.

“I was quite lucky really. I didn’t experience any trouble. The closest I came was a couple of shots fired overhead, but nothing much more than that.

“The tour was a lot better than I expected. It has calmed down a lot. We spent much of our time on patrol protecting the camp and vehicles.”

The former Canon Lee and Clifton Green Primary School pupil’s family celebrated his homecoming with a party for family and friends. He said he was looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Barbara said: “We are all so proud of Ben, and I’m glad the tour is over and he’s home. He’s only 20 and he had his birthday while he was out there so we haven’t had a chance to celebrate that properly yet. He’s always wanted to be in the army.”