A HAWICK soldier won’t be thirsty this Christmas after receiving an early festive present.
TheSouthern reported last month that Lance Corporal Brian Turnbull of the Royal Tank Regiment had returned to the UK after serving for six months in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.
The Suffolk-based squaddie told us he was particularly looking forward to visiting family back in Hawick where he could enjoy a pint of Tennent’s.
But after reading TheSouthern’s story, the makers of the famous Scottish lager stepped in and sent down supplies of Tennent’s to his RAF Honnington base for Brian to enjoy before he travels north for the festive break.
Jane Cannon of Tennent’s said: “When we read Brian’s story, we thought the least we could do after his bravery serving his country was send him a supply of Tennent’s to enjoy with his comrades.
“We hope he shows his friends in Suffolk a great Scottish-style Christmas party.”
The 25-year-old was working as a Mastiff vehicle commander in some of the most hostile and remote areas of Afghanistan, but is now reunited with wife Samantha Jane, also from Hawick.
He told us last month: “I’m looking forward to a pint in the Hawick Ex-Servicemen’s Club on New Year’s Day as they don’t sell Tennent’s where we live in England.
“While I’ve been away the support from home has been great. Samantha has been an absolute gem. When you go for days at a time and you can’t get to a phone, it’s great to hear her voice.”
Brian has been in the army for six years and served in Iraq in 2008, while Samantha works as a beauty therapist in Bury St Edmunds.