Now returning home after a six-month tour of duty, Hullavington's 9 Supply regiment have played an integral part in establishing order in Iraq's second largest city, Basra.

Initially deployed on a three-month mission, the fuel riots in the city on August 18, put paid to any homecoming and resulted in a large chunk of the regiment being urgently redeployed and retasked.

Their mission to carry out the vital role of guarding the region's fuel supplies has seen the regiment, who trained in supplies work, having to learn how to carry out dangerous patrol duties, as well as how to handle new weapons.

But the men and women of 9 Supply have taken the role in their stride and a further three months on, are now gradually returning home to the UK, having done themselves and their regiment proud.

"Some of the soldiers found it difficult to come to terms with the retasking at first and understandably so," said Major John Fenn.

"They had been in Iraq for three months, in extreme conditions, they missed their families and had prepared themselves mentally to go home.

"When they were called back, with no indication of another return date, emotions were high.

"But the way they responded and have performed has been extraordinary."

One of the Army's priorities since the regiment landed in Iraq, has been to establish and improve the living conditions of the soldiers living and working in 'theatre'.

Instead of living in giant hangars, as they did when they arrived, much of the regiment is now stationed at Shaibah Logistics base outside Basra.

Food, activities for their spare time and communication with their loved ones back home have also been prioritised, but in the desert, almost 5,000 miles away from home, there's still a lot to miss.

Sgt Wendy Paull, 31, Lance Corporal Christina Cryer, 25, and Lance Corporal Emma Milligan, 29, have worked hard to make their tent at Shaibah, a home from home.

As well as the boxes and trunks of regulation Army uniform and equipment, there are photographs and mementos from home and a portable CD player.

"It's basic, but we get by," said Sgt Paull.

"We do all our washing in the shower blocks and there are now things to do in the evening, like watching the television and of course, writing and e-mailing home. We're all really looking forward to going home now though.

"It's been a long tour and the heat has been exhausting. I for one, am looking forward to a nice cold beer and I'm also hoping to buy a new car."

Lance Corporal Cryer said that after months of blistering weather, when temperatures reached upwards of 55 degrees, she is looking forward to some chilly Wiltshire weather.

"I've heard that the weather has changed at home now," she said.

"It will be nice to see some trees and be cold for once."

Missing home affects everyone, regardless of rank and Major John Fenn is no exception.

On his desk, is a box of letters from his two daughters.

"I have only seen them for two weeks in the last six months, so they sent a 'daddy' box over for Father's day in June," said Major Fenn.

"The box contained crisps and other bits including earplugs to keep the sand out!

"Before I left, I also rashly promised to take them to Disneyland when I get home and they're very excited about that," he added.

"Like all of 9 Supply who have wives and children, I'm very much looking forward to getting home and catching up on what I have missed," he added.

Gurkha Bhim Prasad Gurung, 36, has a wife and three children back home at Buckley Barracks and called home last week, to wish his two-year-old son, Sohit, a happy birthday.

"In Nepal, we don't celebrate birthdays, but now my family are living in a western culture, the children are enjoying celebrating their birthdays," he said.

"I was staggered to learn that there were 43 people in my house when I rang and my son was singing Happy Birthday to himself.

"He was so excited that he didn't really have time to talk to me and went back to his party."

In recent months, television rooms, games rooms, a sports pitch and even an Internet trailer have been installed to enable soldiers to stay in contact with their loved ones.

EastEnders, which is running only a week behind UK schedule, is must at Shaibah.

Books and board games are also popular and the soldiers, anxious to maintain their fitness levels, flock to the gym after dark.

Thoughts of the rugby field, are what have kept Lance Corporal Graham Standen going, through the last six months.

For, when the lance corporal isn't fulfilling his duties back at Buckley Barracks, he can usually be found scrumming down with Corsham Rugby club.

Catching up on the rugby news in the Gazette, the 29-year-old said that he is one of three soldiers from the barracks who regularly plays for the team.