Soldier returns home to meet baby son

Lance Cpl George Creese returned home on leave to see his partner Natalie Stephens and meet their new baby, Sebastien

A SOLDIER returning to his Woolton Hill home on leave this week got the very best home-coming present - a baby son.

George Creese, aged 26, a lance corporal in the Royal Marines, arrived home from Dubai following a tour of the Gulf on Tuesday (January 4) to catch first sight of his new son, Sebastien George Albert Creese, who made his way into the world on New Year's Day.

Sebastien was born at 2.47pm, weighing 8lb 6oz, a little over two hours after his mother, Natalie Stephens, aged 26, of Tilebarn Row, arrived at Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.

"He was born early. He wasn't supposed to be due until January 4,” said Miss Stephens, adding she was relieved her labour had proved so quick.

The very proud dad told Newburytoday.co.uk he was “over the moon”, and added: “I only saw him about an hour ago.”

He said his partner had sent him a New Year's Day text message to let him know that her waters had broken and that she was going to hospital. However it was sent while he was asleep and when he awoke and saw the message, he could not contact her.

“I managed to get hold of her mum and the next minute I was looking at photos of him on my Blackberry messenger,” he said.

Lance Cpl. Creese said he planned to enjoy “lots of cuddles” with his new family before he was due to return to his base in Scotland, in five weeks.

The couple's landmark year continues on April 30 when they plan to tie the knot at St Thomas' church in Woolton Hill.

There were also New Year's Day arrivals in Thatcham for Rutendo Munetsi-Kadziya and her husband Benard, who welcomed baby Makanaka Tiana into the world at 9.50pm while the captain of Thatcham Town Football Club, Gareth Thomas, aged 25, and his partner Charlie Seekings, aged 21, welcomed their first child, Hayden Charlie Thomas, on the same day.

For more on the New Year's Day arrivals, see today's Newbury Weekly News.