4FAR soldier fourth of family to serve abroad

Gnr Noel Poynton Jnr from Raharney will be following a family tradition when he leaves Irish shores for Lebanon in November. Noel, who is a member of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, now based at Custume Barracks, is following the footsteps of his grandfather and two of his uncles.His grandfather Larry Poynton was a sergeant major in Columb Barracks, Mullingar, and his uncles, Matt and Paddy Poynton, have both served overseas.In fact Paddy will be returning home from Lebanon as Noel departs for that country.Between the four men, they will have served overseas with the Irish army 17 times when Noel returns in six months.Noel, who completed a tour of duty in Chad in 2008, said he had heard a lot about Lebanon from his grandfather and uncles.Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner last week ahead of his deployment, he said the troops were highly trained to expect the worst in Lebanon. Noel was accompanied at Custume Barracks last Wednesday for the ministerial review of the troops by his daughter Anna May, parents Betty and Noel Snr, his sister Tracey and niece Nadine.Noel is expecting to deploy with the first group of troops and hopes to be home on leave in February.He was among the members of the 107th Infantry Battalion who were on parade in Custume Barracks last Wednesday afternoon for the ministerial review. Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe, reviewed the troops and wished them a safe tour of duty.