“WE’RE all thinking of you.”

Hampshire soldier Ben Moger, who will be thousands of miles away in Afghanistan while his loved ones celebrate his young son’s first Christmas tomorrow.

The 20-year-old private, a former Thornhill Primary and Weston Park Boys’ School pupil, will be tucking into turkey with his fellow troops, while girlfriend Louise Hewitt and nine-month-old son Oliver are at home in Hedge End.

Louise, 21, said she’s been used to Ben being away during their relationship because of his posting in Germany with the Tigers, but is hoping for a festive phone call from him tomorrow.

She said: “I just want to say merry Christmas from me and his baby Oliver - we’re all missing him and hoping he’s well.

“The fact that he’s away isn’t as bad, but because I know where he is that’s the bit that’s harder for me.

“Ben has been saving his minutes so hopefully he’ll be ringing me on Christmas Day.”

But Louise said she and Ben’s mum Tracy have also been doing what they can to ensure it still feels like Christmas for him, even though he is on active duty so far away.

She said: “I think they’ll be having a Christmas meal out there, and me and his mum have been sending boxes of little novelty stuff as Christmas presents for him to open.

“But it’s a hard time of year when you haven’t got your loved ones around you.”