The war in the Gulf may be over, but the worry remains for countless Hampshire families with loved ones in the armed forces. KATE THOMPSON speaks to a grandmother and mother about the anguish they have shared...

EVERY night since he has been in the thick of the action in the Gulf, grandmother Janet Hillier has kissed the portrait of her beloved grandson, Joe Gorman.

His mum, Sharon, has kept round-the-clock vigils waiting for news of her son.

And little sister Shannon has slept with a letter the 20-year-old marine sent from the desert secreted under her pillow and a photo close by.

As a member of the famous 42 Commando Joe has been in the midst of the action, visiting Chemical Ali's home and catching up on sleep in Saddam's sumptuous palace in Basra.

Janet explained: "I wasn't only worried about Joe but also my daughter, Sharon - we have all been in an awful state.

"Sometimes there has been complete fear.

"When we have heard of servicemen being killed I am in tears and then my daughter would come on the phone and we would cry together.

"Unless you have someone out there it is difficult to explain the emotions you feel," she said.

Her daughter Sharon, 43, of Rossington Avenue, Bitterne, said their darkest hour was when she heard a helicopter carrying troops had gone down.

"I was in bed trying to get some sleep when my sister rang me to see if I had heard about the helicopter going down. She didn't want to worry me but she thought I should know about it.

"On one channel they said it was men from 42 Commando and on another they said it was 3 Commando.

"I was worried sick. I didn't know what was going to happen - whether there would be a knock on the door or a phone call.

"I waited from the Friday to the Tuesday - and then I received some letters from Joe.

"I was really living in limbo during those four days - I was like a zombie," she said.

Both say the high-profile news coverage has been a blessing and a hindrance. Family and friends have been glued to the television to catch a glimpse of Joe - but Sharon realised this was impacting on her ten-year-old daughter, Shannon.

"In the beginning we had it on 24 hours a day until I realised it was changing her.

"Watching it all the time meant she was asking all sorts of questions and she became quite clingy with me and one particular friend.

"I spoke to our doctor about it and he advised me not to lie to her - if she asked questions I must tell her what was happening.

"I also spoke to her school, and my son Charlie's as well, because they were finding it hard to concentrate," she said.

Now family and friends are focusing on Joe's safe homecoming.

He hopes to be back in about three weeks' time.

"He told me he's looking forward to a big fry-up and a nice Sunday roast - since he's been on rations he's really missed his proper home cooking," added Sharon.