A GLASGOW veteran of World War II has returned to Egypt more than 70 years since he fought there in the Battle of El Alamein.

Alex Munro, who is now 96, said the visit – to lay a wreath for a fallen friend – would help him “lay old ghosts to rest.”

Alex, who was a gunner in the Royal Artillery, said: “When I went to Egypt, I was just 20 years old and all I remember was seeing nothing but sand and bushes. I travelled there on a troop ship to Suez and fought at the front.

“I haven’t been back since. After I left the regiment I lost contact with old friends.

“It was good to go back to understand more about the role we played in the overall battle – and to lay a wreath for my friend, who didn’t make it.”

Alex had the chance to return to Egypt thanks to the travel arm of the Royal British Legion and LIBOR funding, which enables veterans of WWII, and relatives or carers, to return to where they served.

Alex’s son, also called Alex, said: “The desert was hot and flat, there were flies everywhere, and no landmarks - goodness knows what it would have been like in war conditions.”

The tour included a special 76th anniversary ceremony and visits to war cemeteries such as Heliopolis, Alexandria and Alamein.