ILR Question on Dates

[sydney_chick]

OK, so I know that you can apply for ILR 5 years from the date you entered the country on the WP - but what about if you were already in the country (on a WHM visa) when it was issued, thus meaning that you didn't need to 'enter the country'.
What date does the 5 years go from then?
(This is not a random question - this actually applies to me). My first WP says 24 July 2008 (it was a 5 year one), so this means it was granted on the 24th of July 2003, right? Then the Home Office have stamped it: 28 July 2003. I didn't take a vacation until November, which would be the first time I left the country and came back in on this work permit, despite obviously working under this permit between July and November, since I was already in the country.
My 5 year period (for the ILR) ends in July, right?
Any help here would be appreciated.

[Siggi]

Your WP clock started ticking on 28th July 2003

[sydney_chick]

[quote="Siggi"]Your WP clock started ticking on 28th July 2003[/quote]

Thanks - hoped that might be the case. ILR next year here I come!!!

[goldfish]

I'm in a similar situation - arrived on WHM then changed to HSMP. My HSMP is dated 18 Feb but was not stamped until I came back into the country after a holiday in April. Will I need to provide evidence that I was in the UK already? If so, what can I provide or who should I contact to have this corrected?