'Our hearts and minds are with you'

THE deluge began within minutes of Allied Forces going into action. As television beamed the first pictures of Baghdad under fire, families back home were urgently tapping out messages to their loved ones.

Those messages were sent to the studios of Garrison Radio - based at Europe's biggest Army base in Catterick, North Yorkshire - and beamed halfway across the world where squaddies were listening to their pocket portables.

"We received 260 e-mails for troops on the front line on Wednesday night alone,'' said head of news and programmes John MacRae.

"We relay them to the Services Sound and Vision Corporation in the Gulf, which broadcasts to troops, many of whom tune in on their own personal radios when they are off duty.

"People have asked us how we can be sure their message will reach their loved one and, if we're honest, we cannot guarantee anything. But each one will be aired several times between music and news, so there is a good chance it will be heard by the person for whom it was intended.'' Radio has played an important role in forces' lives for more than 50 years.

British Forces Radio began broadcasting - from an Algiers harem - on January 1, 1944. The service started as a ramshackle adjunct to the Army and has since become more of a necessity, forming a vital morale-boosting link with home.

Garrison Radio is the only services radio network to launch since the Second World War. It has been broadcasting to the UK's four largest Army bases since June, 2001.

Since the war began, news bulletins have been extended to allow more coverage of the war while presenters have been briefed to include as much as they can in their own programmes.

An additional member of staff is also being trained to help cope with the growing influx of mail - galvanised further by online links which have now been established with 60 commercial radio stations around the UK, including Teesside's TFM and the North-East's two Magic stations.

The station has taken on an even more urgent role for our forces in the Gulf since the Ministry of Defence ordered a clampdown on all mobile phone calls and e-mails between soldiers and families.

Catterick base commander Colonel Jonny Hackett acknowledged that importance when he used the station to address the 1,500 Catterick troops in Kuwait yesterday.

He said: "If I had a message for them it would be to let them know that we are looking after everyone they have left behind.

"All the machinery in place for this sort of situation is working and our hearts and minds are with them in everything they do."

"Our philosophy has always been about serving the British Army,'' said Garrison Radio founder and presenter Mark Page, as he leafed through The Northern Echo to give his listeners items of local news.

"It's an unusual brief but it's what we do day in, day out. Of course, the Gulf has brought us into our own, but it has also helped focus attention on what we do and why we are here," he said.

"Morale is important and I hope we will have a role to play keeping spirits up both at home and abroad.''

Messages for soldiers serving in the Gulf can be sent via Garrison Radio by telephoning (10748) 872444, texting 07769 572230 or email to Gulfrequests@garrisonradio.com

Messages from home

To: L/cpl Sean Brazier, Y Company, 1RRF.

Hello little love, we just thought we would send you a little message to say we miss you, and wish you were here. The house is way to quiet without your big mouth and we have nobody to pick on, so hurry back before we go mad with boredom Love and hugs from your wife, Shelley

To: Glenn Coleman, 1 Para HQ Missing you loads. Keep smiling Love Jolene

To: Cpl Iain Brown, 212 Sig Sqn Tell him I miss him and love him and to write soon to let me know everything is okay

To: Norman Jones Please give a mention to all the psychiatric staff working out in the Gulf area at the moment, especially for Norman Jones who we're missing terribly.

All the best from Phil, Pete, Jo, Henry, Sam and Alison in Catterick

21/03/2003