It's bad enough having to worry about your son when he is off serving his country, but Elizabeth McKenzie (63) is now praying for the safe
return of her boy AND her grandson.

Kenneth Hynds (40) and 18-year-old son, also named Kenneth, sent messages of love to their relatives in last week's Falkirk Herald and now their family is sending that love right back at them.

Both from Grangemouth, Lance Corporal Hynds, of the Argylls, and his trooper son, who is serving with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, are on their first operational deployment to Afghanistan and are operating within Task Force Helmand.

Waiting by the phone – and the laptop – at their home in Kersiebank Avenue, Grangemouth, for news from the two men, are Elizabeth, Kenneth snr's stepdad William (66) and Kenneth jnr's twin sister Jade.

Although she hasn't seen her son in three months and her grandson in two, Elizabeth hears from them at least once a week through phone calls and Jade keeps in touch via e-mail.

"They are in good spirits when they speak to you," said Elizabeth. "And you've got to try to be that way back.

''Young Kenny still has that cheeky wee boy way about him – he can give his gran cheek because he's not standing next to me!"
Kenneth snr joined the Argylls in 1985 and served for eight years before returning to civilian life.

He then decided to rejoin the Argylls and has now served in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan

"He was in the Army when he was 16," said Elizabeth. "It was something he always wanted to do. The Army life is his life and it's that way for young Kenny too."

Now Elizabeth has the added worry of her grandson being on active duty – his first tour – but knowing he is serving alongside his dad gives her some comfort.

"I was happy young Kenny was posted near his dad,'' she said. ''They've both lost close friends out there, so I just tell them to look out for each other."

Another family member could be heading for a career in the armed forces – Jade is preparing to attend an interview and week of work experience with the Army dental regiment in Aldershot.

"It was just me, Kenny and my dad growing up and I really miss it," she said. "I'm really worried about them being out there together. Kenny's like my best friend – we're twins and we've been through a lot together growing up."

Jade had initially wanted to join the Army medical corps, but some advice from dad made her think twice.

"He didn't want me to do it,'' she said. ''He told me from his experience it was really harsh on the front line."

He also tried to get his son to join the signal corps and not the infantry, but Kenneth jnr was having none of it.

"Kenny is his own man," said Jade. "He's a laugh – you get a lot of cheek off Kenny, but he's very funny."

Elizabeth said Kenneth snr, who now has The Falkirk Herald's website address, has been reading the articles featured in paper.

Although he will be heading back to Canterbury, where he is stationed with the Argylls, at the end of his tour, Elizabeth said the whole family will be getting together at Christmas.

"Young Kenny is coming home for two weeks in September, then he goes back again – but should be back for Christmas. We just want them to know we are all thinking about them – all their family and friends are."

Elizabeth added that everyone at the old Gringo – that's the Avongrange – was asking for the two Kennys too.