Facing the world’s media after 13-day ordeal

AS the freed marines and sailors lined up to face the world’s media, the enormity of their ordeal appeared to hit them.

Relief at being back on British soil merged with fatigue and nervous exhaustion. Some smiled, while others looked pensive.

They had shed the ill-fitting grey suits given to them by the Iranian Government on their release in favour of desert fatigues or naval uniform, according to their regiment.

Standing on the Tarmac at London’s Heathrow each former captive clutched a tapestry-style gift along with a matching sports bag to hold their few possessions.

Leading Seaman Faye Turney made a joke to her colleagues standing next to her and both gave a relieved smile.

As the battery of cameras flashed, they stood quietly, once or twice turning to their neighbour to make a quiet remark.

But the din created by the two helicopters made it impossible to overhear them or to hear the shouted questions from journalists.

Earlier they had been escorted from the plane by senior naval officers Lieutenant Andy Price and Captain Andrew Jamieson.

Rather than take a bus the short distance from the plane to where the helicopters sat they chose instead to walk across the Tarmac just yards away from the waiting media.

Once they were split into two groups to board the helicopters which will take them back to Devon and to their families, they seemed to relax.

One sailor sat at the open door of the aircraft smiling and waving to airline staff and media before take-off.

The two huge aircraft finally took off at 12.38pm before roaring overhead in the direction of RAF Chivenor.