Capt Rich Gardner-Clarke

A group of soldiers serving in Iraq may be thousands of miles away – but they are still thinking of their mums back home in Shropshire.

For soldiers from the county serving with the 5th Battalion The Rifles have issued loving messages from the desert to their mums back home for Mothering Sunday.

The soldiers want to ensure their mums know they are still “number one” by sending their messages from the Contingency Operating Base in Basra.

Trooper David Healy

They are continuing their role of patrolling the regions around the city to ensure that the people of the area can carry on with their every day lives.

And they are also heavily involved in raising money for Project 65, which aims to generate £500,000 to help the people of the area who have been blighted by war.

Rifleman Craig Thomas, from Newport, today issued a special message to his mum Mandy ahead of Mother’s Day.

He wrote: “Have a nice day mum. Very sorry I can’t be there. Hope you liked the flowers.

“Missing you loads and loads. See you in a couple of months. Love you.”

Rfn Gavin Winwood

And Rifleman Gavin Winwood, from Telford, has written a few words of love to his mum Susan Jayne Brown.

He said: “Hey Mum. Hope you have a brilliant day. I’ll be home soon.

“Can’t wait to see you all. Love you loads mum. Love always and forever, your son Gavin.”

Meanwhile, Rifleman Kevin Foulkes-Williams, from Oswestry, wished his mum Margaret a happy Mothering Sunday.

“Happy Mother’s Day. Hope you are having fun with Ceri and Kelly. Love you,” he said.

Rifleman Kevin Foulkes-Williams

Captain Rich Gardner-Clarke also wished his mum Penny a Happy Mother’s Day.

Captain Gardner-Clarke, from Horderley near Craven Arms, wrote a message to his mum saying: “Never fear, I’ll be home to cut the grass soon!”

And Trooper David Healy, from Ludlow, wrote to his mum Angela: “Happy Mother’s Day. See you soon.”

Major James Faux, one of the company commanders, said the soldiers wanted their mums to know they are thinking of them.

Rfn Craig Thomas

He said: “For our soldiers to operate effectively they need to know that they have support at home and when they are not happy then mum is usually the first port of call.”

By John Kirk