Dan BirksA 20-YEAR-OLD marine who spent Christmas in Iraq had an emotional reunion with his family in Melksham this week after completing a second tour of service.

Dan Birks, of Wiltshire Crescent, spent six months based in southern Iraq with 40 Commando, training Iraqi security forces and patrolling the borders.

Mr Birks, whose jaw was shattered after an explosion in March 2003 during his first tour in Iraq, said he is relieved to be back on home soil. "I said last time I would not have minded going back but I have had enough of the country now," he said.

"It's nice to be away from the danger and walk down the street and not worry about rocket and mortar attacks."

The former George Ward School pupil said after the intensity of the first tour, training in the south of the country had provided fresh challenges.

He said: "We were training the Iraqi National Guard. I liked it and enjoyed the teaching aspect of it. Most of them were keen to learn and we would teach them basic troop level tactics and combat."

Mr Birks said living alongside the Iraqi people meant they had to be careful to show an appreciation of their customs.

"We have a softly, softly approach. For example we knock on their door and give them a chance to get women out of the way," he said.

"We respected their culture whereas the Americans just smash the doors down."

As well as training the Iraqis, Taunton-based 40 Commando were called on to carry out a number of dangerous exercises such as making sweeps for roadside bombs and offering convoy protection to aid coming from Kuwait.

"We were working with the special forces stopping anything from drug smuggling to people smuggling and insurgents," he said.

Mr Birks now plans to spend time with his family before returning to the marines at the beginning of April.