A FATHER and son have crossed in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, as one tour ends and another begins.

Territorial Army Captain Christopher Wilcock, 41, of 23 Engineer Regiment Air Assault serving with 1st Battalion Irish Guards Brigade Advisory Group met up with his son, Marine James Hoyes, 22, of 40 Commando Royal Marines, who is heading back to Norton Manor Camp after six months in Helmand Province.

Christopher said: “It’s surreal to end up together with so many factors conspiring to keep us apart and yet here we are in the same place.

“I doubt we’ll ever be in this situation again. I was as happy as 10 men to see James safe and well, on his way home for some well-earned post tour leave.

“I’m extremely proud of what James and his mates have done - 40 Commando have had a difficult time in a notoriously difficult place.”

When they met up, Christopher surprised James with some cigars which they shared over a non-alcoholic beer on the veranda of the coffee shop in Camp Bastion.

During his time in Sangin, James patrolled around Sangin, interacting with the local people, speaking to them in Pashtu.

He said: “Pashtu skills helped break the language barrier - the locals were definitely more friendly to me. They like banter and having a laugh and a joke.

“It was different to what I had heard of previous tours in Afghanistan. We made a positive impact but it was a hard fight where we were.”