AS TROOPS are poised to begin the ground assault on Baghdad, Eden families are enduring tormenting times as their sons fight in the Gulf.

Sub-postmistress at Kirkby Stephen, Jackie Semple, is trying to get on with life "as normal" while her 18-year-old son Drew is somewhere in Iraq with the Royal Marines.

She had one quick phonecall from her only son who was based on a support ship in the Gulf to say he would be incommunicado for "some time."

"He seemed to be in good spirits. But he has good days and bad days, it depends what rumours are going around about what will happen and what they will be doing."

Mrs Semple and her husband, David, have been trying to avoid the constant news coverage, believing that as crews prefer to film the fearsome and fantastic "you don't get a true picture."

She has been sending out "red cross parcels" to her son a former Kirkby Stephen Grammar School pupil packed with toiletries, sweets and biscuits.

She said the support of the local community had been "very comforting."

"I think you have to try to get on as normally as possible. As a mother I worry but they are highly trained and we can be reassured by that. Regardless of whether I agreed or not with the war starting, the troops have my support."

Adam Stores, also a former pupil at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, is a mechanic with the Black Watch Battle Group.

His parents, Helen and George Stores, of North Stainmore, who have not heard from the 19-year-old since before war broke out, believe he is stationed near Basra.

The couple, who send regular e-mails to their son, are anxious but are kept up to date through the Black Watch website and through the reports of an "embedded" journalist from The Scotsman, who is travelling with the group.

Mrs Stores said she tried not to watch the news as she found it "unsettling" and said the threat of suicide bombers and chemical warfare were "added worries."

Royal Marine commando Frankie Tinsley, 21, of Kirkby Stephen, is also thought to be based near Basra.

The former Kirkby Stephen Grammar School pupil has

e-mailed sporting colleagues at the Upper Eden Rugby Club, where he plays for the first and second teams.

Appleby man Neil Johnston, 28, is part of the 7th Armour Brigade of the Royal Artillery known as the Desert Rats.

His parents, Ian and Brenda Johnston, had several letters from the lance bombardier before the military action began.

"We are now completely in the dark, he could be anywhere in Iraq. I'm very anxious but I think it's best not knowing," said Mrs Johnston.

An ex-pupil of Appleby Grammar School, Mr Johnston, who is married with a two-year-old son Cameron, joined the forces shortly after the first Gulf War in 1990.

Also in Appleby, the mother of 25-year-old Rob Campbell is "taking things one day at a time." Chris Campbell said she thought her son, who is serving with the Royal Logistics Corp, could be with the convoy driving towards the Iraqi capital with ammunition, medical aid and food supplies.

Mrs Campbell said she had always been "sceptical" about plans that the war would be short and swift and feared what may await the troops in Baghdad.

She said the last contact she had with her son, who lives in Germany with his wife Jo and three children, Rebecca, Jessica and Neve, was a letter to his wife on March 16 to say he was "going in."

The anxious postwoman said she and her family planned to put out a radio request of Rob's favourite band, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, in the hope that he will hear it.

April 9, 2003 09:30