IPSWICH: Enough is enough.

That is the heartfelt plea from the mother of a soldier killed in Afghanistan who is urging the government to bring our boys home.

Lorraine McClure’s plea comes after a day of horror in the war-torn country which saw the loss of SIX of our troops, bringing the death toll to 404.

Her son, private Aaron McClure was serving with B-company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment when he was killed by friendly fire in Helmand Province on August 23, 2007.

In the aftermath and consumed by her grief, the 19-year-old’s mum was adamant that British troops should continue fighting – to ensure her son’s death was not in vain.

But now – after Tuesday’s atrocity – she feels differently.

Fighting back the tears, she told the Star the loss of more British lives was too much to bear – and sent a message of sympathy to the six families who endured “that knock” at their door.

“I never thought I would say this but I think it is time to bring our boys home,” she said. “Four hundred and four lives lost is too big a sacrifice.

“How many more families have to get that knock on their door?”

The loss of six soldiers is the single worst enemy attack on British troops during the Afghan campaign and has re-ignited calls to cease military operations immediately. The gradual withdrawal of troops is expected to begin in 2013, with full control handed to the Afghan authorities by the end of 2014.

The servicemen were on patrol when their Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle was caught in an explosion in Helmand.

“When Aaron first died my first thoughts were that we had to stay out there, I didn’t want his death to be in vain,” added Miss McClure, of Marlow Road in Whitehouse.

“After this, the time has come to pull them out. I know they say withdrawal will start in a year’s time, but a year is long time away.

“Four-and-a-half years has passed for me but it is still so hard to bear the thought of other families going through what we have.

“For as long as our soldiers are out there, we must support them whatever our thoughts are about the conflict.

“My thoughts are with the six families. It has brought back for me the sheer devastation and sense of loss. That will never go away.

“We can’t let more lives be lost.”

n Do you think we should withdraw from Afghanistan? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk