EVERY Christmas is special for Major Paul McLeod. Like everyone else, he cherishes life but this year he hopes more than anyone that peace has finally come to Northern Ireland.

He is one of those serving with the 1st Battalion of The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment in the province over Christmas and the New Year.

Major McLeod is a man who really knows about Northern Ireland.

He is now on his ninth tour of duty and was there when the trouble was at its height.

And he was lucky to escape with only minor injuries from a terrorist bomb attack that killed two soldiers he was with.

It's ironic that the RGBW is currently on a peace-keeping tour of duty at Abbercorn Barracks in Ballykinler.

For it was there in October 1975 when he was serving with the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment that a charity coffee shop, which was run for the soldiers just outside the camp perimeter, was blown up.

Major McLeod said: "I was only 19-years-old at the time and was in the cafeteria with friends when at 10.10am a bomb planted in a van parked outside blew up.

"Two of the soldiers were killed including my best friend. I was lucky and only had minor injuries but a lot of other soldiers were invalided out of the army because of the injuries they received."

The cafeteria was rebuilt and is now within the camp confines.

He said: "I have seen it really bad here when they were killing our soldiers, but I am very optimistic for the future.

"In my view, peace has broken out, but splinter groups are still showing that they have got some muscle. But I am pleasantly surprised the peace process has gone as far as it has because this is a great place to be."

Major McLeod, 45, joined the army at the age of 16 after leaving Bradon Forest School in Purton and preferring service life to an apprenticeship with Pressed Steel at Swindon.

He successfully worked his way up through the ranks and is now the RGBW's Quarter Master.

"I have had a good time but I believe the public have a perception problem with the army," he said.

"It is a good place to be and there are chances for everyone to go right through the ranks."

With Major McLeod at Ballykinler with his wife of nearly 25 years, Jeannie and during their time with the Army the couple have moved house 17 times, visited 36 countries and lived in some exotic locations.

They have two sons Robert, 18, and William, 12 and Major McLeod still regards Cricklade as his home.

His father Bill, 71, still lives in the town, and so do two of his sisters, Caroline Little and Linda Mason.

A third sister, Maria Collins, lives in Purton and his brother Steven's home is at Lyneham.

Although Major McLeod returns regularly to Cricklade, he won't be able to make it there for Christmas this year as the family will be heading for Scotland and a meet up with Jeannie's family.

But he asked the Evening Advertiser to pass on Christmas greetings to all his family and friends in the Swindon area.

He said: "Tell them we wish them all a very merry Christmas and look forward to seeing them in the New Year."