MORE than 70 years ago, the nation waved goodbye to its young men as they set off for the battlefields of the Second World War, leaving families nervously to await news from the front.

Fast-forward to the present, and another generation of young men is fighting for Queen and country in foreign lands.

But thanks to modern technology their families are far more up-to-date with their news – and better able to support each other online.

A prime example of this is the Viking Family Support Group, an internet forum, founded by the mothers of two Royal Anglian Regiment soldiers.

The group allows the relatives and friends of serving members of the regiment – widely known as the Vikings – to chat, swap advice, catch up and offer support while their loved ones are away on a tour of duty in Helmand.

Along with online help, the Vikings forum runs regular weekend get-togethers in the real world.

Club chairman Bob Moore, from Westcliff, fully understands the comfort this can give families.

An ex-serviceman himself, he has waved his son, Robbie, a former Belfairs High School pupil, off to war in both Iraq and Afghanistan – and proudly seen him awarded the Military Cross for bravery.

Mr Moore said: “It always used to be the colonel’s wife who acted as welfare officer, but they only really could take care of the families living at the base. I’m sure mums and dads always felt a bit out of it. With this system, everybody feels part of it. It can be easy to feel isolated and this type of group helps stop that happening.“ Southend’s Naval and Military Club, was recently the venue for a gathering at which forum members, most of whom had never met before, were able to meet in the flesh.

Emily Richardson, 19, from Norwich, says the forum helped her through the tough experience of watching fiance and childhood sweetheart, Stefan Marchese, 18, go off on his first tour in Afghanistan.

Emily, a social work student at Luton University, said: “Before he left, I didn’t have a clue. The group has been really useful. Asking questions and actually getting answers from people who know what it is like has been great. It really helps set your mind at rest.

“We talk about once a week and with that and communication with the group I feel much happier.”

Jeannie Hughes, 50, has also found the forum to be a lifeline. Her son, Mark, 24, is on his first tour with the Vikings’ D Company.

Mrs Hughes, who lives in Stapleford Abbotts, near Epping, said: “When Mark came home on leave, he brought information about the Vikings forum. It has been so helpful. Members don’t know each other, but we’re all in the same boat and the mutual support is great.”

The group helped her deal with the worry of having a son on the front line, and helped her prepare for his homecoming.

Mrs Hughes explained: “I’ve learned, when he comes back, not to crowd him or be too inquisitive, that he will tell me what he wants to, in his own time.”

The forum has also helped Mrs Hughes to get a clearer idea of her son’s day-to-day life, and given her the chance to support others, especially those receiving the worst possible news.

She explained: “We have talked about whether it’s better not knowing about what’s going on, but at least now, we can know and deal with what comes along. You are almost more prepared.

“Otherwise, I think your imagination would work overtime.

“When people lose a loved one, the group is very supportive. There is nothing we can really do, but knowing there is this close-knit group which cares, helps a bit.”

Maggie Griffiths, 52, has a wealth of information to offer others, Her son Mark, 27, is now on his fourth tour with the Royal Anglians.

Mrs Griffiths, 52, from Romford, travels across the region to forum meetings, and has made many new friends.

She said: “I’ve been coming right from the start. The meetings are just fantastic. To put faces to the people you talk to online is great and everyone is really helpful and friendly. We are truly friends for life.”

The group also has the backing of former Royal Anglian Regiment soldier Simon Girnary, 43, now a member of the Naval and Military club, in Southend. He said: “In my day, there was nothing like this.

“It’s nice to see people coming together because they are all in the same boat. When you talk to people who are not involved, they are very nice and there is sympathy, but they don’t know the full picture, whereas the groups know where we are coming from. Knowing there was something like this for my loved ones would have really helped when I was serving.”

l The forum is open to close friends and relatives of serving Vikings – to register, members must supply full details of the soldier they’re connected to – at vikingfsg.co.uk