A SOLDIER had a hero’s welcome on his return to Ellesmere Port from a six-month stint in Afghanistan.
Terry Finlay, 40, returned from the warzone on Friday. After spending a week at Catterick army base, came home to Great Sutton to his four children.
Mum Anita works in Ellesmere Port Hospital where colleagues have helped fill shoe boxes with vital supplies and treats for Terry and his comrades.
Anita added: “His daughter, Eleanor, works in the sunbed place at Hope Farm shops, they’ve been sending magazines out.
“Martin’s paper shop have donated sweets and magazines.
“Terry has a stall where he puts it all, to save people buying it he’ll dish it out. It’s been a joint effort.
“We’re having his kids, a couple of friends, a few balloons and putting a bit of a spread on for his return.”
Terry is a quartermaster, specialising in distributing supplies and provisions to troops.
Terry was lucky enough to meet David Beckham when the football superstar visited the troops in May.
Terry’s dad, also Terry, said: “He said it boosted the morale lot. He said David Beckham was amazing.”
Terry, whose father and grandfather also served in the army, has previously served in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Germany and gone on exercises in Kenya and Belize.
Dad Terry once served as his son’s sergeant major when both were stationed at the Dale Barracks in Chester.
Anita added: “We remember with pride the ones that have been injured and lost their lives in Afghanistan.”
