A SOLDIER has returned to duty in the Falkland Islands, 25 years on from when he was part of the conflict in the remote country

A SOLDIER has returned to duty in the Falkland Islands, 25 years on from when he was part of the conflict in the remote country.Brian Kirkup first travelled to the islands to help lay communication devices for his fellow soldiers and this week he was back in action doing the very same job.Brian, of Kenn Street, Kenn, started carrying out the work as the Army marked the 25-year anniversary of the end of the conflict.The 46-year-old returns today (Wed), after updating the telephone cables he helped lay in 1982 as a signalman with the engineering brigade.Brian, who is married and has two daughters, said: "Our job was to lay the telephone cables as the battle group moved forward, and it's funny that I'm going back now to do exactly the same thing, it does feel a bit strange."I don't have any bad memories of the war, I don't have any psychological scarring or anything, just fond memories of the place I think."As a chirpy 21-year-old I didn't think anything of it when I was down there until things started getting blown up I suppose."I've gone down to install and update the telephone systems we laid down there. It seemed a bit odd to be doing it now, seeing as it was 25 years on, but I think the attitude is to just get on with it."Brian is also a recruiting officer with the 81 Signal Squadron based in Corsham in Wiltshire.