Band of brothers

Both Paula's boys are serving with the Second Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, usually stationed in Germany.

Alistair, 23 is a Corporal and an electrical engineer while James, 21 is a Lance-Corporal and works as a chef.

Both were deployed to Kuwait and she has not heard from them since the invasion began.

Paula told the Express: 'We have Sky and you saw one of the US helicopters going down.

'Modern technology is fantastic but you are there all the time watching it; when it flashes up another British soldier killed you hope and pray it is not your son '“ then you feel guilty for thinking that because they're all someone's sons.

'Some poor woman somewhere is in pieces.'

Paula still has one son at home, Jack, aged 11 but says he's 'mesmerised' by what he sees on the television screen.

After the 'video game-style' air attacks he watched reports on the work of the medical teams and saw the wounded being flown into Gatwick and asked his mum: 'What's that all about?'

Before they went, both boys told their mother how important letters from home were.

Paula went on: 'Alistair was in Kosovo.

'He said getting letters was just like it looks in the World War Two films when letters are distributed and people fall on them.

'You feel a bit special '“ people who don't get them are left out.'

Paula is busy sending parcels and letters to the pair but asks whether any Express readers would like to become pen pals.

Alistair and James are both single and would love to hear from anyone at home; their friends would like letters, too.

If you'd like to drop a line to Iraq '“ and know it will make someone's day '“ just send letters via: Paula Horton, 44 New Road, Ridgewood, Uckfield, TN22 5TG.