Our boys in Baghdad (From Stroud News and Journal)

Our boys in Baghdad

AS THE giant B52 bombers lifted off from RAF Fairford on Friday bound for Iraq, families in the Stroud Valleys could only pray for the safe return of the servicemen and women who have been sent to war.

As the full military might of the USA and Great Britain was unleashed on Baghdad in the early hours of Friday morning all they could do was hope for a quick end to the awesome campaign to topple Saddam Hussein.

Servicemen, some barely 21-years-old like James Howlett from Stonehouse are finding themselves away from home for the longest time ever.

"That's what he signed up to do - it just happens this is his first assignment," said his mum, Susan who cannot hide her concern for the 'baby' of her family of four children.

Royal Marine Luke Stewart, 23, from Nailsworth joined up against his father's wishes with a dream to bring democracy to a country where human rights were abused.

Dad David admitted he hadn't wanted his son to go into the forces but he is now full of pride for the young man who he describes as 'a quiet but tough character.'

Mr Stewart said the war had been inevitable and all he could do now was hope everything turned out well.

District councillor Nigel Cooper from Rodborough said his son Peter, 25, joined the army not to fight but to be a peace keeper.

Peter only passed out from Sandhurst in December and now serves with the Royal Military Police.

"He wanted to help people," said Nigel. "We are apprehensive of course, but we are 100 per cent behind him."

Mr Cooper has no idea where his son is at the moment he spoke to him last in Kuwait but has now lost contact.

Stroud soldier Kieran Bingle, 26 may miss the birth of his second child as his wife Louise has been told he could be away for up to ten months.

"He's got a job to do. It needs to be sorted out," she said. And Royal Marine Commando Stephen Kent, 21 was probably one of the first in to fight on the front line.

His parents David and Anita anxiously wait for news at their home in Farmhill.

* For full details of Stroud squaddies in the Gulf see this week's SNJ.