AS the Government announces plans to increase the number of British soldiers serving in Afghanistan, one mother describes the day-to-day “torture” of having not one but two sons in the Army.

Dawn Taylor’s two sons are serving with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and by January will both be fighting in Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Parliament the British force in Afghanistan would increase to 9,500 troops.

Private Robert Taylor, aged 19, has been in Afghanistan since June, and his big brother Scott, aged 21, will fly out in the new year.

Robert, who returns home for leave in December, was due to stay for Christmas, but has given his ticket home to a fellow gunner who was desperate to spend the holiday with his wife and baby, opting instead to fly back on Christmas Eve.

Now their mum is adding her weight to the national Help for Heroes charity to support injured soldiers.

The brothers, both former pupils of Nunnery Wood High School and Worcester Army Cadets, have seen at first hand how injured soldiers need support from people back home.

“It's my way of giving something back,” said Ms Taylor, who is holding a huge fund-raising fancy dress party at Oceana nightclub in Birmingham on Saturday, October 31.

Robert and Scott, whose grandfather is former Mayor of Worcester Ray Turner, are both gunners based at the Assaye Barracks in Tidworth, Hampshire.

When in Worcester they stay with their grandfather in the Arboretum or best friend Private Jason Fletcher, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).

“The Army is their chosen path and, whether I agree with what's going on or not, I'm extremely proud of them,” said Ms Taylor, aged 40.

“They are well-trained soldiers and they love their jobs.

“It's not easy being left at home and, as a mother, it is hard to see your boys go off to war.

“Your heart stops every time there is knock at the door or the phone rings because you fear the worst.”

The brothers joined the army at 16 years old and trained at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate.

Scott was 18-years-old when he went to Iraq in 2006. Ms Taylor remembers saying goodbye.

She said: “I remember standing on New Street station trying to be brave and giving him reassuring words.

“I knew he was a well trained soldier, but at 18-years old I did not feel it was right to send this young boy to war.

“As the train pulled off, I sobbed like a baby, not knowing if I was ever going to see him again. Four months into his tour he broke his ankle in Basra and was flown home.

“Those few months were torture. I decorated the house from top to bottom. It was my way of coping.”

In a moving message to her youngest son Ms Taylor, who also has a 16-year-old daughter Jade, said: “I have faith in your ability as a soldier, I have faith in you for being a well adjusted man.

“I am proud of you because I am your mother. But humour me when you get home, when I want to treat you like my little boy.

“Don't play the hero Rob, keep your head down, do your job and return to me safe.”

  • For tickets to the Help for Heroes party at Oceana, priced £3 each, call 0845 025390. The night is over 18s only. Actor John Partridge, who plays Christian in BBC soap EastEnders, is expected to attend.