The real life band of brothers: Widow's fears for three soldier sons off to serve in Iraq

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For not one, but three of her sons will be flying out for active service.

Corporal John Rawdon, 26, will be joined by his younger brothers Erik, 22, and David, 18.

Mrs Rawdon said her only comforts are that her boys can look after each other - and that she will be flooded with emails and calls from them.

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The Rawdon family: From left, David, Odette, mother Melanie, John and Erik, with William in front

The real life band of brothers will join a select group where three or more members of the same family are fighting for their country.

They are serving in the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglians, currently stationed in Celle, Germany, and will leave for their six-month tour of duty shortly.

Mrs Rawdon, 47, said: "I want them to do their job and do their duty but from a mum's point of view it's the last thing you would want. I take some comfort from the fact they'll be together and looking after each other.

"I just wish someone would wave a big wand and it wouldn't have to happen.

"The only advantage I can see of having three boys in Iraq is that I'll get three lots of emails and phone calls."

John Rawdon has served in the Army for nine years and Erik, also a corporal, for five years. They have served in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively but for Private David Rawdon it will be a first tour of duty.

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Mrs Rawdon:' I just wish someone would wave a big wand it wouldn't have to happen.'

Their departure comes a year after the death of their father Johnny from skin cancer. Mrs Rawdon of Horncastle, Lincolnshire, said: "Johnny would have been so proud of them all. His children were everything to him."

The brothers also have a younger sister, Odette, 15, and brother William, 13.

The Rawdons will not be the only family group serving in Iraq. Brothers Adam, 24, Mark, 22, and Shane Mackness, 21, and their father Danny, 45, will also be there.

And the Kilby brothers - Chris, 21, Michael, 20, and Darren, 18 - will be there as well, with the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment.