SOLDIER Chris Watts was today heading home to York from Iraq to cuddle his baby daughter for the first time.

His wife, Susan, gave birth to Olivia at the height of the Gulf conflict. Susan's sister, Laura, was by her side, instead of Chris.

Susan was hoping that Chris, based at Imphal Barracks with 2 Signal Regiment, would be back in the country this morning, and that they would be reunited later today.

Corporal Watts, who has training as a paratrooper and was attached to the 16th Air Assault Brigade near Basra, is one of hundreds of members of the regiment who went out to the Gulf in February.

Susan was seven months pregnant when he left their Fulford home for the last time, and their parting was an emotional and worrying moment.

"There had always been the possibility he would have to go anywhere, anytime, but I never thought it would happen that I would be left on my own," said Susan, 31.

"It wasn't easy, but I decided I would go back to Oldham to be with my family and friends."

Olivia arrived two weeks earlier than expected on April 1, weighing in at 6lb, 12oz.

That had risen to more than 8lb by today's meeting. "She is absolutely fine," said Susan.

She said Chris, 27, had immediately been given the good news by an Army welfare officer after Olivia had been born, and they had been able to speak on the telephone eight hours later.

Over subsequent days, she said she would watch the latest situation in the war on TV after waking in the night to feed Olivia - but she never spotted her husband.

She said Chris was very excited at the prospect of seeing their daughter, and she had the champagne ready in the fridge. "He is just over the moon," she said.

"It's such a relief to know he's coming back at last."

She was hoping this morning that Chris would be back in York by this lunchtime, and she would finally be reunited with him after he had returned to Imphal Barracks to hand over weapons and documents.

Susan said he would then be going on leave, giving the family a chance to be together for the first time.

An Army spokeswoman said it was hoped Chris would be back at Imphal for a debriefing by lunchtime.

She added that a few more members of the 2 Signal Regiment were expected to return home in the next few days.

lUS Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld paid tribute today to the role of British soldiers in the war in Iraq, calling it "a truly remarkable accomplishment". Mr Rumsfeld met British troops in Basra on his first visit to Iraq since the beginning of hostilities.

Updated: 11:26 Wednesday, April 30, 2003