EAST Lancashire soldier Lieutenant Henry Russell-Blackburn will soon be back home after a "rewarding" three months in Iraq.
Lt Russell-Blackburn, 22, is among the small group of soldiers to return from Basra three months earlier than expected.
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, including troops from Blackburn, Darwen, Ribble Valley, Accrington, Pendle, and Burnley, flew to Iraq in November and expected to spend six months there for a peace-keeping tour.
But improved conditions in Iraq and a smooth handover of power to native forces mean 100 soldiers will return to England after two weeks' leave.
Speaking from Basra, Lt Russell-Blackburn, from Wilpshire said: "It will be great to see my family and girlfriend, but there have been some times I have really enjoyed over here."
The former Stonyhurst College pupil has been training Iraqi Army troops at the Iranian border."
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