'All in Tears': British Soldier, Home for the Holidays, Surprises Son at School

A British soldier returned home for the holidays and surprised his son at school in Stockton-on-Tees, England, on Friday, December 13, leaving the staff in tears, according to a Twitter post by the boy’s teacher.

Nico, a year 2 student – comparable to a first grader in the US – was in class at Harrow Gate Primary Academy on Friday when he got the unexpected gift of his dad’s presence.

Damo Archer, the soldier in the video, had been away from home since the end of June.

Laura Archer, Damo’s wife, told Storyful that her son didn’t know his father would be coming home before Christmas. Nico thought his father was going to be away until February.

Damo Archer arranged the surprise with the school an hour beforehand. Nico’s teacher Miss Duncan tweeted the video with the caption, “Still not over this. This had us all in tears this afternoon. Merry Christmas to the Archers.” Credit: Laura Archer via Storyful