Soldier relieved to be home after tour of Iraq (From Warrington Guardian)

Soldier relieved to be home after tour of Iraq

A YOUNG Warrington soldier is back home with his family after a dangerous six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

Private Michael Knight, aged 18, from Orford, served with the 1st Battalion of The Cheshire Regiment.

He was based in Basra, where tensions have been running high all year.

In September, Michael, a former Woolston High School pupil, was involved in a 14-hour incident, after a soldier was shot from the roof of the headquarters of the local militia.

"I was doing top cover on a Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle with a machine gun so I felt quite safe," said Pte Knight.

"We were patrolling and the vehicle in front was fired on with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), and then it all kicked off."

The building was taken and a number of illegal weapons were seized, after several RPGs were fired at his vehicle.

He added: "The first five months were really hard but I would honestly do it again."

Pte Knight, who arrived home last week, is now back home with his mum and dad, Diane and Rick Knight, and is looking forward to enjoying his leave.