THE family of a soldier hero serving in his second Gulf War is appealing to people to back the troops fighting bloody battles in Iraq.

Doreen and Ray Derbyshire, mother and father-in-law of Household Cavalryman David Simpson, want everyone in the country to support the forces behind enemy lines -- not hold demonstrations against the war.

The Hindsford couple, whose 31-years-old daughter Alison and seven-years-old grandson

Christopher are anxiously waiting for the 33-year-old corporal's swift return to their Windsor home, said: "Whatever anyone's feelings about whether or not we should have entered this war at this time I think now is immaterial."

Leigh MP Andy Burnham, who champions Doreen's plea, will debate the argument for and against the war, parliamentary business permitting, with Ron Senchak of the Wigan Stop The War Coalition at a public meeting at Leigh Liberal Club, Church Street, Leigh, tomorrow (Friday) at 8.30pm.

Mr Burham said: "Voting in favour of the war was not an easy decision. I believe, on information received, it was the right thing to do, but it's not going to be easy while it is going on.

"Like everyone I am hoping for a swift conclusion to it all and like Mr and Mrs Derbyshire I feel that our military personnel need all the support we can give."

Mrs Derbyshire said she and Alison, 31, a former legal secretary in Leigh, speak daily and though she did not sleep for the first two nights of the conflict Alison is used to her husband of 10 years being at war. He has served in both Bosnia and Kosovo.

He had a memorable 21st birthday, going into the first Gulf war on February 25, 1991 and taking his first shots the following day.

His son's seventh birthday will be equally remembered, for that was the day his dad started fighting in Gulf War 2.

Cpl Simpson admits that last time

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he was involved in killing Iraqi troops,destroying a personnel vehicle and hitting bunkers and infantry.

His regiment also came across hundreds of surrendering Iraqis who walked or crawled on their knees towards them.

"To see the state they were in was terrible," he said. "We captured and fed 26 but had to drive past the rest because we had other objectives. That's when you realise that they are humans not just the enemy."

Last time his regiment sustained two casualties, but this time Cpl Simpson feels they could "find themselves in a little bit more trouble" using lighter armoured Scimitar tanks and taking more casualties.

Chemical warfare

His D Squadron armoured reconnaisance unit are equipped for chemical warfare and taking nerve agent pre-treatment tablets made Cpl Simpson suffer stomach cramps.

Just before the onslaught began he spoke to Alison and Christopher.

He said: "My little boy told me had had won man of the match the previous Sunday and that was hard because I wasn't there."

With family pictures and letters stored away, tanks blessed and battle photographs taken before crossing from Kuwait into enemy territory, Cpl Simpson checked the cigar he is keeping for the victory celebration in his pack pocket.

SSAFA, the welfare service for ex-servicemen which has an Atherton branch, is hoping to set up a helpline for Gulf War families and the Ministry of Defence has unveiled an electronic bulletin board that members of the public can use to send goodwill messages.

The e-blueys have been set up by the British Forces Post Office to allow anyone with access to a computer connected to the internet to send greetings via www.bfpo.org.uk