A GUERNSEYMAN is preparing to return home after his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Gunner Alex Knowelden, 24 (pictured), has been fighting on the front line in Helmand province for six months with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

The former La Houguette and Elizabeth College pupil has been at Camp Bastion since Saturday waiting to return with his regiment.

Following several days of psychological assessment, he will return to Plymouth for a parade and medal presentation.

‘My main worry before deploying, as this was my first tour, was how I would react when under fire – it’s something you can’t prepare for until it happens. As it turns out, we all reacted calmly even though a rocket-propelled grenade hit the compound we were in. The training does take over,’ he said.

He was part of a team using the ‘Roshan Dragon’, a British 105mm artillery piece being used in a pioneering way to devastating effect.