IPSWICH TA soldier Karl Boak is home from the Gulf conflict – but eager to get back out with his military comrades.Karl, a 35-year-old customs officer based in Felixstowe, was despatched to the Gulf along with 26 other members of the 202 Ipswich Transport Squadron RLC Volunteers.

IPSWICH TA soldier Karl Boak is home from the Gulf conflict – but eager to get back out with his military comrades.

Karl, a 35-year-old customs officer based in Felixstowe, was despatched to the Gulf along with 26 other members of the 202 Ipswich Transport Squadron RLC Volunteers.

He was called up in early February, leaving behind his wife, 28-year-old Shelley, and two-year-old son, Kameron.

But today, with his fellow Territorial Army colleagues still at work in the desert, Karl is back at home with his family in Ipswich after being injured in a road accident.

"I was in one of the military vehicles and had quite a bad accident that left me with several injuries," he said.

"I've had to have stitches in my forehead and have done quite a bit of tissue damage to my right leg, so they made the decision to send me home."

Despite being pleased to see his family and friends, Karl admits to being keen to get back out to the Gulf.

He said: "I've not heard what the decision is yet, but I'm hoping that they'll send me back out again, or to Germany to provide some other support from there.

"I feel a bit of a fraud being back at home when the rest are out there to be honest."

"It really was a lot better out there than we'd expected," he added. "It's hard to know what it'll be like, but we were pleasantly surprised.

"The full-time Army guys were really good with us too. There was always going to be a bit of mickey-taking, but they realised we were more than 'weekend soldiers'."

Karl has now been a part of the Territorial Army for 11 years. He always knew it was a possibility that he may be called on to serve in a war situation.

"You're aware that that's a probability, and I didn't mind," he said. "But it's not just about me. I know it was hard on Shelley because of Kameron being so small.

"I know she's glad I'm back and I'm sure she'd prefer it if I didn't get sent out again."

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