One week, they can be working in a quiet office, the next they are fighting bloody battles with the deadly Taliban.

Soldiers of the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Bristol were officially welcomed back from their six-month tour of Afghanistan last night, in front of their comrades and beaming families.

From October to April, 15 of the city's RMR unit were deployed with 3 Commando Brigade in war-torn Helmand as part of Operation Herrick 9.

Presenting them with their operational service medals at unit headquarters, Dorset House in Clifton, Commander of the Royal Naval Reserves Commodore Chris Steele praised them for their motivation and professionalism.

He said: "You bring something different to the party – maturity, different skills sets and a refreshing perspective."

Marine Pete Bird was part of 45 Commando's Zulu company, based in the upper Sangin valley.

For the first three months he spent a lot of time doing the scary job of sweeping for hidden roadside bombs – also known as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

"It was a bit hairy," said the 26-year-old, of Brislington. "It was a lot of getting down on to your belt buckle and stabbing away with your bayonet."

The manufacturing engineer saw plenty of action as a mortar man and is glad to be home.

"There were fatalities when we were out there," he added. "There are obviously risks but you try to keep focused on doing the best job you can. Sometimes things go wrong that are outside of your control.

"I'm just pleased that all of my troop has come home safely."

Proud girlfriend of 18 months Victoria sent plenty of letters and packages with treats. The 23-year-old said: "He kept reassuring me he was going to be OK. The hardest part was not having him here. When he came back safe it kind of felt like our relationship was all new again."

In his day job, Jon Caves is a software engineer. But on his first tour of Afghanistan the reservist of six years was locked in close combat with the deadly Taliban as part of 42 Commando and operation Red Dagger, to clear the enemy from Nad-e-Ali.

"I really enjoyed it," said the 30-year-old, of Clifton. "We had between 35 and 40 contacts with the Taliban, some as close as 30m (100ft) away. I wouldn't say you get scared when you're actually fighting.

"The times you are most scared is when you think something might happen. You have an implicit trust in your mates, you spend a lot of time training with them and you're out there to do a job. My girlfriend Sarah said if I didn't go out there I would have been a misery and she was very supportive. I wouldn't mind touring again but I'd have to clear it with her first."

Andy Tyrrell used to be a regular Marine in the early Nineties, but this was his first tour of Afghanistan.

Although now a reservist, the 36-year-old from Bedminster, who is a trained PE teacher, was soon promoted to an Acting Corporal in 45 Commando, based in North Sangin.

"There was a point where we were getting a contact with the Taliban every time we went out," he said. "Our job was to stop them getting into Sangin. The adrenaline is always flowing in those situations. We worked quite a lot with the Afghan National Army, who were helpful in communicating with the local people and spotting Taliban."

Also from the RMR Bristol ranks in Herrick 9 were Sergeants Chris Challis and Sean Chapman; Captain Chris McGinley; Marines Fyfe; Neale; Staines; Hennessy; Snook; Beresford-Shackleton.

Paying tribute, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Corbidge, Commanding Officer of RMR Bristol, said: "Once again the Royal Marines Reserves have demonstrated the highest standards of service and proved what a valuable asset they are.

"I have been extremely impressed with the men of RMR Bristol and the courage and capability that they have shown in Afghanistan, often serving in the most challenging of conditions."