IT is in one sense bizarre to hear Ian Thornton describe how humbling it is to see young men barely out of school soldiering in Afghanistan.

Ian is not yet 30 himself, but has just returned safely from a six-month tour of duty leading these youngsters of 19 or 20, as a lieutenant with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

It doesn’t seem to occur to Ian that this is exactly how others feel about his own service in that country. As with every self–effacing member of the armed forces you meet, his view is that he’s just doing the job he’s paid for.

Ian’s service is even more significant because of what happened to his brother, John, four years ago.

Ian has achieved a huge amount in fulfilling his ambitions, following in John’s footsteps and carrying on his unfinished work.

We should celebrate his safe return and that of every other serviceman and woman, as we remember those like John and this week, Luke Taylor who did not come back and are sorely missed.