A FAMILY put the flags out to greet their serviceman son on his return home from Iraq.

The Gelders adorned the family home and approach roads in Langley Moor, near Durham City, with bunting and Union flags to welcome back son Bernie.

He came home yesterday with a fellow member of the Royal Logistics Corps from their base in Germany, via the Hull ferry terminal.

Private Gelder was a touch embarrassed, in front of his colleague, at seeing the greeting, and said: "You couldn't miss it. I was stunned."

He was given a warm greeting by parents, Kay and Bernie senior, and brothers Gary and Karl, plus friends and other relatives.

It was the first time Pte Gelder had seen his family since the New Year, when he returned to base in Germany in preparation for war.

His unit travelled to a holding camp near Kuwait City in February, ready for the outbreak of hostilities.

Pte Gelder entered Iraq on the opening day of the conflict, with 1 Close Support Medical Regiment, as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats.

His closest shave came shortly after crossing the Kuwait/Iraq border.

He said: "There was an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) which went off near us, 200 metres away, when we came over the border.

"When we got into Basra, most of the people were fairly good with us, although it was hard with the kids because they were begging for water, but we weren't allowed to give them any or else they would have been pestering us all the time."

When the hostilities ended, Pte Gelder's unit stayed on for a few weeks.