By Joanne Hughes BBC News Online

The sound of women crying as they clung onto their loved ones hung in the air on Thursday afternoon as Welsh soldiers lined up on the tarmac of RAF Catterick in North Yorkshire ready for war.

The soldiers from The Queen's Dragoon Guards, more commonly known as the Welsh Cavalry, will be in the Middle East for at least six months.

Soldiers boarded buses to RAF Brize Norton

The men - some as young as 19 - know they will miss birthdays, anniversaries and the first steps of their children.

Dressed in camouflage uniforms, the soldiers stood silently waiting in the snow-covered barracks to board buses which would take them on the first leg of their journey.

Those who had waved off their families earlier stood around in tight groups to keep warm.

Some laughed nervously, whilst others made last-minute checks of their kit bags.

Many have never seen active duty before - Gavin Griffiths from Rhyl, 19, said he was scared about going to war but he is being supported by the older members of the regiment.

His fellow soldier Paul Pritchard is leaving his wife and seven-week-old daughter behind.

I am scared but I'm getting used to it now Paul Pritchard, soldier

Janine Pritchard could not face saying her goodbyes in public, and had already returned with her child to the seaside town of Rhyl.

She has left to be near her parents who can support her while her husband is away.

The 19-year-old soldier said the regiment had been pre-warned that they would shortly be leaving for the Gulf.

"We got told a few weeks ago what date we would be going but it's come around fast.

"I am scared but I'm getting used to it now," he said.

Good luck

At 1430 GMT, the 90 soldiers were ushered onto two coaches as they frantically grabbed the last precious moments with their loved ones.

As they trooped on board, there were muffled whispers to families and the stifled cries of those they left behind.

It is the first tour for Paul Pritchard and Gavin Griffiths

The soldiers flew from Brize Norton to set up camp and get ready for the possibility of military action against Iraq.

The 600-strong regiment specialises in scouting missions on the battlefield and may be in the front line.

The call-up follows a year of intensive training, including exercises in Canada.

As the bus left the car park, the soldiers' families waved frantically at them and shouted good luck.

They must now just wait for news to arrive.