Reading the account of Lance Corporal Marcus Scott on his return from the killing fields of Southern Iraq brings home the realities of the environment in which our troops in Iraq are living (The Argus, November 18).

He faced attacks from rocket propelled grenades, machine gun fire and mortar bombs on a daily basis while serving in Southern Iraq.

Marcus has shared with us how he fought off insurgents with a bayonet during a six-month tour of duty. He took part in a daring mission along with other colleagues to take the volatile town of Al Amarah from insurgents. They came under attack many times and faced great danger for six or seven hours.

He joined the Army three years ago and was in charge of as many as 12 men at a time.

After receiving a hero's welcome when he returned home to Henfield, he now looks forward to spending Christmas with his parents.

We thank him and all of our troops for the great job they are doing in Iraq and wish them all well and a safe homecoming when their job in Iraq is complete.

-Steve Fuller, Hove