Families of Geordie Marines fighting in the Gulf welcomed loved ones back to Tyneside.
Kimberley Ritson with brother Stephen (left) and fiance Steve Watson, together with Stephen's girlfriend Sara Wilson (back) and Kimberley's daughter Hollie
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For Kimberley Ritson the war meant saying goodbye to her fiancé as well as her brother when they left for Iraq in January. She met fiancé Steve Watson through her brother Stephen Ritson after they became pals when they joined the same unit of the Royal Marines. But now she has both of them back home. Kimberley, 30, of Belsfield Gardens, Jarrow, said: "It has been the worst few months of my life and I never want to go through it again. "They both left for the Gulf at the end of January with the Royal Marines - although they were in different commandos. "It has been a nightmare for the whole family. My fiancé Steve has two children and I have one daughter and it has been horrible for them as well. "My brother Stephen also has a girlfriend, Sara." Kimberley, a doctor's receptionist at Thomas Hospital, Jarrow, continued: "Seeing them both last night was absolutely incredible. There were lots of tears and laughter and drinking. "They were so happy to be home and I think they enjoyed having proper food instead of rations. "We put lots of banners up and neighbours from the whole street came round to celebrate their coming home. "It was wonderful. The last four months were so difficult. The worst thing was watching the news on TV. "I would rather not have seen what was going on. The worst thing was when they announced that some men had been killed and you didn't know who." Now that Steve has been reunited with Kimberley, they can begin to plan their dream wedding which they hope will be next year. Kimberley said: "We are now talking about the wedding plans and we think we will get married next February. "We have bought a house so now we can look forward to moving in together as soon as the house is ready in about a month." Fiancé Steve, 34, said: "It was absolutely brilliant to come home and I'm just grateful to get back in one piece. "It was my daughter Lauren's ninth birthday yesterday, so we had one big party. "It was so great to get home in time for that. She was over the moon to see me. "My family had a really hard time while we were away and I know that it hit Kimberley quite hard. "She was quite distressed but now that I'm back she's happy again. "She told me that if I ever leave again she'll break both my legs. "We had a great time last night and I am really looking forward to a month of leave to relax after everything that's happened. "Now that everybody's home and safe, things can get back to normal." Kimberley's brother Stephen, 28, said: "I just never thought it would happen because we have been stuck out in the desert for so long. "It took so long to get back and there was so much stopping and starting. "I'm just pleased it's all over and I'm back home." Sarah Kay and her five-year-old son Callum also had to cope without husband and dad Andrew Kay when he went to the Gulf with the Marines. Sarah, 32, of Boscombe Drive, Battle Hill, said: "I have spent every day just wishing he was home, and Callum has missed his daddy so much. "We had to put pictures of Andrew up around the house because Callum said he couldn't remember what his face looked like. "When the war broke out we lost all contact for a month and it was a nightmare. I couldn't sleep or eat and ended up stopping work because of stress. "Everywhere you went you were reminded of the war and it was a complete nightmare. "I felt more nervous seeing them come in last night than I did on my wedding day seven years ago. Andrew missed our anniversary and was away for his birthday so we will have to celebrate now he's home." Andrew, 36, added: "It's so good to be home. I can't believe how green it is here. "In Kuwait there are no rivers or trees and that was the first thing that struck me when I arrived home. "I am just so pleased to have time with my little boy and my wife and concentrate on being a family again. "We only found out three days before that we were coming home. But you never knew for certain. "Until you're sitting on that aeroplane, you can't be sure." | 
