Reverend Bob Adams, a padre in the British Army, has recently been serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with his son, Lance Corporal Colin Adams.

Although Colin has been operating out in the field, the two of them managed to arrange an impromptu rendezvous at Camp Bastion just before Colin travelled home at the end of his tour.

Bob, 51, is currently Chaplain attached to the Field Hospital at Camp Bastion.Originally from Canvey Island in Essex, Bob has lived in Scotland since 1980.

Currently serving in Albemarle Barracks, Ouston, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Bob is due to return to duty in the UK in October and is looking forward to being reunited with his wife, four children and his motorbike.

Colin, 25, is also a keen motorcyclist, and has just completed a seven-month tour with 1 Scots Guards. Born in Inverness, Colin has lived throughout Scotland including Livingston, Dumbarton, Elgin, Kirkcaldy and Stonehaven.

More than aware of the risks

Although normally stationed in Bourlon Barracks, Catterick, Colin looks forward to time off in Scotland. Colin’s time in Afghanistan has seen his participation in Operation MOSHTARAK and was part of the first forces to participate in Operation TOR SHEZADA after being inserted by helicopter.

Colin is pleased that he managed to meet his Dad on his way home, and says that “he has not been worried about him in the Field Hospital.”

The same however has not been true for Bob who is more than aware of the risks to the soldiers operating throughout Helmand. Mum, Mary was even less impressed that the two of them were in Afghanistan at the same time.

Keep in touch with each other

This is the first time that Bob and Colin have served together on operations and Bob has enjoyed the brief contact with his son recently at Camp Bastion. Both Bob and Colin have managed to keep in touch with each other by telephone but also with the rest of the family back home through the military welfare call scheme which gives all personnel serving in Afghanistan thirty minutes of free phone calls back to their families every week.

Bob is relieved his son is now back home, but says that he is “immensely proud of Colin, and his colleagues in 1 Scots Guards.” He adds “Working in the Field Hospital you come face to face with the realities of the conflict and it was difficult not to think of my son and how he was doing.

“The role of the hospital padre can be an emotional roller coaster, ministering to those that have been injured, but also providing supporting the staff who are absolutely outstanding and work extremely long hours.

"They are saving lives every day and this is enormously reassuring for the troops on the ground - they know they will receive the best possible care should they become injured.”

'A wee dram for me'

Reflecting on his time in Afghanistan, Bob has drawn strength from his faith and the strength of the family bond. The reunion at Camp Bastion was a low key informal and light hearted affair where Bob wished Colin well in his journey home and asked his son to “have a wee dram for me.”