A MILITARY band marched out of Catterick Garrison last week, on its way to the Gulf to join British and American forces preparing for war with Iraq.

Bandmaster Captain Kevin Roberts and the men and women of The Normandy Band of the Queen's Division were given a musical send-off by their neighbours, The Waterloo Band, who share barracks on the Piave Lines at Catterick Garrison.

Once the unit arrives in Kuwait, instruments will be put away because all the musicians are also trained medics and will join 24 Field Hospital, ready to treat casualties of any military action.

Capt Roberts said: "We can also take on a variety of other roles, depending on what happens when we are over there.

"We're equally trained to help with security around the field hospital and some may be asked to join medical support units, should British Forces be required to move."

Morale appeared high as the band members prepared to leave. There was as much laughter as there were tears, as kit bags were loaded on to a coach taking the troops to a staging post in York, before flying off to the Middle East.

The unit had been given a few days leave before departure and most had already said their farewells.

Gill Nicholas brought baby daughter Jaime to say goodbye to husband Jon.

Mrs Nicholas said: "The band travels a lot and is away quite often but this feels completely different.

"It's not knowing when he'll be home, I suppose."

Jon admitted he was finding it hard to come to terms with the fact he will miss his daughter growing up.

He said: "By the time I come home again she may have already said her first word or taken her first steps, and I won't have been there."

Former Polam Hall pupil, 21-year-old Lindsey Davison, of Newton Aycliffe, who plays clarinet and violin in the band, admitted she never thought she could one day be sent to war.

She said: "But that's what we are trained to do. Sometimes it's easy to forget you're a soldier first and a musician second.

"But, to be honest, now I know I'm going to the Gulf, I just want to get on with it.

I've got a great bunch of people around me and I know they'll look out for me."