ONE person closely following the progress of Ipswich's TA troops is Marianne Finch, the mother of Grundisburgh 18-year-old Matt Finch.Mrs Finch will welcome her son home on leave tomorrow and she said she, her husband Peter and Private Finch's younger brother Jonathan and the entire family were looking forward to seeing him again.

ONE person closely following the progress of Ipswich's TA troops is Marianne Finch, the mother of Grundisburgh 18-year-old Matt Finch.

Mrs Finch will welcome her son home on leave tomorrow and she said she, her husband Peter and Private Finch's younger brother Jonathan and the entire family were looking forward to seeing him again.

“When he first left it was a very tearful farewell and when he came back on leave he was so happy to see everyone,” she said.

“I think army life is suiting him quite well. He seems to have grown up quite a bit and knowing he's happy makes it easier for us.”

She added: “When he came home at Easter he looked so fit.”

Pte Finch will celebrate his 19th birthday on May 12, just days before he heads out to Iraq.

“He's going to be away for at least four months,” Mrs Finch said. “Previously we've been seeing him every five or six weeks.

“As long as he's happy I'm OK.

“If he was going to Afghanistan I would be a lot more concerned. Iraq may not be the best place to be but it's better than Afghanistan.”