November 3, 2004 - A RUNCORN soldier kept the true horror of Iraqi conflict from his mum because he 'didn't want to worry her'.

Private Lee Kelly was one of the Cheshire's 580-strong batallion which returned from Basra this week.

And the 21-year-old told the World: "We were getting battered and it wasn't even on the news.

"I used to ring home and never tell my mum and dad what was happening because I didn't want them worrying because they didn't have a clue what it was like.

"I feel sorry for the next lot that goes out there, I wouldn't want to be facing that again. It was very rough - nothing like the films."

Despite the relief at being back on home soil after his six-month posting, the Palacefields soldier revealed it was a bittersweet homecoming for him personally.

"My fiancée is in Black Watch and she's on her way to assist the American troops near Baghdad. I was gutted when she got sent up there," he said.

Several soldiers attended a press conference at the Cheshire's HQ in Chester and Monday.

The regiment showed combat footage of a Warrior tank trying to rescue four trapped soldiers.

Army chiefs said the worst fighting came in August after the inadvertent arrest of three key members of Muqtada Al Sadr's militia and the fall out from the American assault on Najaf produced a wave of attacks.

Lance Corporal Stuart McMullen from Widnes was singled out for praise.

"He had a superb tour," said the commanding officer, Lt Col John Donnelley.

"We had to secure and search a building which one of the political parties was using as a headquarters and a store for arms and ammunition. They tried to drive us off with rocket propelled grenades, mortars and rifle fire. It was very serious, we had to fight for 14 hours.

"A number of times Lance Corporal McMullen did some particularly excellent work with his machine gun. He conducted himself well and led by example.

"But it's unfair to single people out. The soldiers have had a very hard tour, they have all performed superbly well and that people in the community should be very proud of their young men."

Private Kelly said two fellow Runcornians, Private David Crane and James Hamling, had the bad luck to be based in the old State Building 'which got leathered'.

He added: "Some of the Iraqis were alright, but the area we covered was a dump and they were horrible, they would smile then throw bricks at the vehicle.

"They hate the Americans. They put their thumbs up for Tony Blair but put them down for George Bush."

During the tour, six soldiers from the Battle group died, three in combat, although none of these were Cheshires.

Lt Col Donelley said: "It doesn't matter whether they were Cheshires or whatever, three people were killed and that is something I've got to live with.

"I am obviously grateful it was only three, but it's something that all of us feel. They were very much part of the team for the six months and all the boys feel sad about it."

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