The boys are back in town. Territorial Army soldiers from Keighley have returned home unscathed from a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

The ten men from the East and West Riding Regiment were deployed for security and peace-keeping duties in Basrah, southern Iraq, last November. They joined 114 soldiers from regiments across Yorkshire and the Tyne Tees area to form Normandy Company, based at Basrah Airport.

It was Private John Shardlow's first experience of active duty. The 22-year-old, of Lothersdale, had just finished a degree in design and marketing when he was called up for Op Telic 5.

He said: "I was a bit apprehensive at first but once we got out there and started doing our job I felt okay."

He added: "Ninety per cent of Iraqis were very positive towards us. It's not like the way it is portrayed in the news, which only shows the bad points." Though glad to be home to enjoy a beer with his mates, John plans to volunteer for the next operation.

"It's good to be back but it's weird getting used to being home again," he said.

"It's hard to explain until you've been there and seen it. It was a totally different experience from anything we've got here," he added.

Rifleman Pte Gavin Paton, of Keighley, said: "We were very lucky. There were a few hair-raising moments like when we first heard shots fired, but most of the time it was fine."

He recalled a particular tense moment at Christmas when they were sent to cover weapons inspection specialists who had found a rocket pointing towards a British base. "It wasn't the best way to spend Christmas Day," he said.

The 23-year-old iron foundry worker hoped to sign up as a regular as soon as possible. In the meantime he plans to volunteer for a proposed tour in Afghanistan, in November.

Two of the returning ten were brothers Lance Corporal Peter Hastings, 24, and Private Michael Hastings.

For 23-year-old Michael, returning home to Ingrow was bitter sweet because he had to leave his fiance Stacey Canning, from Oakworth, in Iraq.

The pair met at Keighley Drill Hall as TA soldiers but Stacey went on to become a regular. Halfway through Michael's tour in Basrah, Stacey, 22, was called up.

"I spent quite a bit of time with her during my last month, but when everyone was coming home to their families I had to leave part of mine out there," said the team medic, who works as a business analyst for Abbey in civvy street.

The couple were due to marry at St Anne's Catholic Church this month, but had to postpone the happy day until November when Stacey returns home.

Corporal Dave Midgley, section commander and the boys' boss at the Drill Hall in Lawkholme Lane, said it was extremely rewarding to see the change in circumstances from when they first arrived in Basrah to when they left.

He said: "When we first got out there it was coming up to the election and it was a bit run down. After the election the Iraqi people started to get a bit of confidence. The place started to get tidied up, more shops sprang up and they were trying to make a better way of life for themselves.

"I think they began to trust us more as well because they could see what we were trying to do."

The 34-year-old, from Denholme, had only the highest praise for his men.

"They are a good set of lads. We have known each other for a fair few years now and you couldn't ask for a better set of people to work with," he said.