MAY 22: ARMY couple Andy and Alex Dutton, who married just a week before he flew out to the Gulf, have been reunited at their home in Colerne, after three months apart.

Staff Sgt Dutton, 36, arrived back at at Azimghur Barracks last Tuesday, after serving with 21 Signals Regiment in Kuwait and Basra.

Hugging his one-year-old daughter Sophie, he told of his relief at being back with his family and how he intends to spend the next two weeks, making up for all the time he has lost.

"It is just fantastic to be back," he said. "I missed them both so much.

"While I've been away, Sophie has changed from a baby into a toddler and she didn't quite know what to make of me when I walked in, but she's all smiles now and has given me plenty of hugs."

As a member of 21 Signals Regiment, Staff Sgt Dutton was engaged in setting up important communication systems for the Allied Helicopter Force.

The regiment led by Colonel Ivan Hooper, was among the first British units to join the Americans in crossing the border into Iraq.

In February, the Duttons decided to bring their wedding forward so they could tie the knot before he left for the Middle East.

Cancelling the dream wedding they had planned in the Dominican Republic this summer, the couple organised an impromptu service at Chippenham Register Office on February 8 and the Gazette stepped in to take their wedding photographs.

Less than a week after the ceremony, Staff Sgt Dutton was posted to the Gulf, leaving his 23-year-old wife anxiously awaiting his return.

Lance Corporal Dutton, who also serves with 21 Signals Regiment, kept in regular contact with the Gazette while her husband was away.

She revealed just how she often felt lonely and anxious about his well-being, so many thousands of miles away.

She relied heavily on Forces Mail to keep him in touch with events back home and sent photographs of Sophie, including those from her first birthday party.

"It was very difficult while he was away," she admitted.

"Watching the news, not knowing where he was made me depressed some days and I often had a little cry.

"But I got on with work and looking after Sophie and although we missed him, we managed to cope."

Staff Sgt Dutton said he regularly accessed the Gazette's website, www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk while he was in the Gulf and was thrilled to see his wife and daughter featured in it.

He was also thrilled to learn from the site that Sophie learned to say da-da, while he was away.

"Missing Sophie's first birthday was very difficult," he said.

"I thought about her all day, knowing she was having a party.

"We will now make up for me missing it by spending a lot of time together and spoiling her a bit."

Lance Cpl Dutton admitted she has noticed changes in her husband, since he returned, most notably that he has lost one and half stones and has shaved his head.

"It's like being married to a new man," she joked.

"He did a lot of training in the Gulf and is very lean and tanned he looks great."

Staff Sgt Dutton said: "Needless to say, the diet left a lot to be desired while we were away."

"I'll be quite happy if I never eat rice again.

"It was also very hot, 110 degrees by 8am most days in the desert, so shaving my head seemed the natural thing to do."

He said he is now looking forward to some home cooking, starting with shepherd's pie accompanied, of course, by a can or two of cold lager.

Not surprisingly he is even enjoying the rainy weather back in Wiltshire.

"It makes a change from sun," he quipped.

"Although I'm feeling pretty cold, because of the temperatures I've been used to."

Staff Sgt Dutton now has two weeks of precious leave with his family, before he returns to work with the regiment.

"We're really going to make the most of the next fortnight," he said.

"We're going to be visiting friends and family, and seeing my mum in Wales who is planning a party.

"Apparently she's had her whole garden festooned in yellow ribbons while I've been away and is looking forward to seeing me.

"But more than anything, Alex, Sophie and I will just be making the most of being a family again."