For Linda Treveil of Waltham Chase the importance of keeping busy and a routine for she and her ten-year-old daughter have been crucial.

It is Linda's way of coping with the lack of information about her husband, Ian, who is serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps at a field hospital in the Gulf.

Ian (36), joined the corps straight from school and is usually based at the Royal Haslar Hospital in Gosport.

A technician, he specialises in clinical physiology carrying out cardiac and lung function assessments.

His skills are likely to be much in demand for those affected by the sandstorms or the insidious biological or chemical warfare.

When he's at home Ian is a committed volunteer with Bishop's Waltham First Responders and Meon Valley Heart Start. He was one of the first to support the First Responder scheme over 15 months ago and has been actively involved whenever his Army duties allow.

Although in the Army for 19 years, Ian had never been away from home for longer than three weeks until a two-month major exercise in Oman last year.

Now he is in Kuwait where he is helping to set up a field hospital. Linda, understandably, has no idea how long Ian will be there.

With her only contact from Ian dated before the war started, Linda described the conflict she feels about the TV coverage.

"It's hard for us to watch it on TV all the time. At the same time you can't help but be drawn to it."