Soldier Paul safe and well (From Western Telegraph)

Soldier Paul safe and well

A PEMBROKESHIRE couple recently experienced the 'worst day of their lives' waiting to hear whether their son - a soldier serving in Iraq - was safe and well.

Last Wednesday, Kay and Paul Thomas, of Kensington Road, Neyland, heard on the radio that a Welsh soldier killed in Basra had been named as Paul Thomas.

"I froze with fear as my son is a soldier in Basra and has the name Paul Thomas," recalled Kay.

"It was the worst day of our lives. Everyone was phoning us to say they had heard the news, but then later the radio said the soldier was a Lance Corporal and was 29, from Welshpool."

Kay added: "We were so relieved but when I had a phone call from my son that evening he couldn't understand why I was so happy to hear from him.

"After that call, I sat and cried because somewhere, someone's mother and father were grieving for their son."

Paul has been in the Gulf for two months and was first in Kuwait, before being sent to Basra. He is due to remain there until December, and it will be a nerve-racking time for his parents.

Last week's experience prompted Kay to write to the Western Telegraph.

"There is still a lot of fighting and killing going on, but everybody seems to forget that we have soldiers out there risking their lives," she stated.

"These soldiers are doing their job, yes, but they didn't ask to go to war.

"Twenty-four years ago my husband, who is also Paul Thomas, was featured in your newspaper as a soldier doing relief work in St Lucia after a hurricane. He is so proud of our son.

"We just hope that people do not forget these soldiers are still in danger. Please say a prayer for them and think of them daily."