Simon and Paul Jones served together in Southern Iraq

Simon and Paul Jones, 31, who both serve in the Queen's Dragoon Guards - also known as the Welsh Cavalry - both saw action in southern Iraq.

They were among 50 soldiers who came back to the regiment's UK base - RAF Catterick, Yorkshire - on Thursday.

Paul was met by his wife Marie, 29, and his three children - aged 13, seven and five months.

"It was really good to see them," he said.

"It has been a bonus to come back early - we were supposed to be there between six and seven months."

All I am looking forward to now is a good pint and fish and chips Simon Jones, Queen's Dragoon Guards

Marie Jones said it was "wonderful" to see them return.

"I am so glad they are back - the kids are really chuffed," she said.

"I have been with my sister-in-law a lot so we have been helping each other through the war."

Simon Jones said he would be sampling some home comforts before they moved out to Germany for their next posting next week.

"All I am looking forward to now is a good pint and fish and chips," he said.

He added that the conflict had been hard but satisfying.

"It was hot and sweaty out there, but it was a good experience and towards the end we won over the Iraqi people."

The regiment is made up largely of Welsh troops

The twins, who have been together since they started in the military as cadets said that they had never chosen to be in the same regiment.

"We would rather not serve together because we went through school together," said Simon Jones.

"But we are always put together."

During the conflict, 600 troops from the Queen's Dragoon Guards were involved in tank skirmishes and the capture of Saddam Hussein's presidential palace in the southern city of Basra.

Reconnaissance tanks from the Queen's Dragoon Guards were at the spearhead of British operations in and around the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

The Queen's Dragoon Guards specialise in scouting missions on the battlefield.

Their Gulf assignment followed a year of intensive training, including exercises in Canada.