A YOUNG soldier from Swindon is returning home from Iraq after being injured in fierce fighting.

Rifleman Ben Sawyer, 19, was shot just above his right wrist in a battle in Basra in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The former Commonweal student had only been in Iraq for two weeks when his Four Rifles patrol was attacked.

They had been guarding an outpost that came under heavy fire from insurgents, who pinned them down for more than four hours.

It is estimated that Rifleman Sawyer's patrol used more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition during the battle.

Reinforcements arrived to help but hostilities continued and it is understood that air support was required before the Swindon soldier could be safely airlifted to a field hospital in Basra for treatment.

He is to be flown back to England to undergo an operation later this week.

His mother, Cher Sawyer, said: "The Army have been excellent in allowing Ben to keep in touch with us throughout this ordeal.

"We have received news as it happened and been kept in the picture.

"Luckily Ben has been able to talk with us and so we feel confident that he is now safe and being well looked after."

He said that he was in a lot of pain.

Rifleman Sawyer left for Iraq two weeks ago and was active in Basra for only seven days.

But that week was full of incident.

There were two mortar attacks during Tony Blair's visit and a convoy was blown up, killing two people including someone who Rifleman Sawyer knew.

There was an ambush on Cpl Jeremy Brookes, a soldier from Ben's company, and a skirmish occurred during a patrol last Thursday night.

A bullet hit a lamppost in front of Rifleman Sawyer's head.

Cher, director of Threshold Housing Link, said: "It appears that there is a lot going on over there that is not being reported for whatever reasons.

"Obviously this would include the maintaining of the safety of our boys out there, but I do felt the public has a right to know that the situation is so volatile.

"After all the Falklands war was reported on instantly and accurately so why not this one?

"People need to know what is going on. Our boys need people's support as they are just doing their job and they go where they're sent.

"They know this when they join up."

She added: "All Ben's friends have been so supportive and all the support I have had from my neighbours, work colleagues and friends has been great.

"I would like to thank them all for their messages and words of encouragement. It has been truly appreciated."