Proud army dad home for historic salute

A proud father who took a short leave from UN duties in the Golan Heights to see his son commissioned as a Naval Service officer said he had no fears going back to join his comrades in that troubled region.

Brigade Quarter Master Sergeant (BQMS) John Nolan, who is serving with the 44th Infantry Group on the Syrian border, where UN units have come under attack from Syrian insurgents, was at Haulbowline naval base yesterday to watch his son, James, commissioned as an officer.

In an historic break with tradition, he took the passing-out parade salute from his son, as did Thomas Molloy, a Cobh, Co Cork-based Chief Petty Officer, who took the salute from his son, Philip.