Local soldier off to war zone

11:41am Wednesday 7th November 2007

A BROMSGROVE mum has told of her mixture of pride and anguish at the thought of seeing her only child leave for Iraq.

Former South Bromsgrove HIgh School pupil - now Lance Corporal Philip Pimlott - will be going back to his regiment in Germany this week to get ready to fly to the war zone later this month.

“As a mom it’s very hard knowing that your child is going on operational duties. I am very proud of him and understand that’s why he joined up, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I am very concerned, but I have got to support him haven’t I?”

Maria O’Ryan

He will be serving six months with a close support medical unit tending the sick and injured, which will mean he won't be home until the spring.

Maria O'Ryan said: "As a mom it's very hard knowing that your child is going on operational duties. I am very proud of him and understand that's why he joined up, but that doesn't make it any easier. I am very concerned, but I have got to support him haven't I?"

Philip said: "Part of me is excited and part of me is quite nervous, but I am looking forward to going."

On being away from home at Christmas, he said: "It's a job at the end of the day. It just like any job here in the service industry. Lots of people have to work through Christmas."

Before he leaves the brave 23-year-old and his mother are finding the time to back the local Support our Soldiers Campaign.

Mrs O'Ryan said: "Philip has a good family network and will receive gifts and parcels from us all but many soldiers won't.

"A lot of the lads and girls have either a family that don't bother or no family at all - the Army is their family.

"Although the appeal is more relevant around this time of the year, our service men and woman need support from home all year round."

Philip, a keen sportsman and now trained as a paramedic, said: "The campaign is very beneficial to morale."

For more information on the Support the SOS Parcel 2007 Appeal contact local co-ordinator Julia Holmes on 0121 6806805.