TO say that this is not an easy time for Peter and Linda Thornton is something of an understatement.

Three and half years ago their youngest son John was killed in Afghanistan while serving with the Royal Marines.

Now, as the world marks the tenth anniversary of the day that changed the world, the second of their three sons flies out to the conflict zone to do his duty for Queen and country.

Speaking at the family home in Ferndown, Linda, said: “We said goodbye to Ian here on Monday and that was hard. There were a few tears.

“It will be a long six months but we are very positive.

“The last thing Ian needs is to be over there trying to do his job, thinking that we are in bits back at home.

“We’ll be fine. He knows we will be worried but we are going to deal with it and he knows that too.

“He has been so strong for us in the past three years, so it’s up to us to be strong for him.”

John was serving with 40 Commando, Charlie Company, Fire Support Group and served in Iraq before the Afghanistan deployment. If he was still alive, he would be 26.

Ian is with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 1st Battalion, C Company, 9 Platoon. He is 28.

The pair were not just brothers, they were best mates.

As a Second Lieutenant, Ian will be leading a platoon of about 30 men in central Helmand province.

He spent the last few days in Kent on final briefings, then left for Paderborn in Germany, where the battalion is based.

Ian was initially training with the Royal Marines when John died near Kajaki on March 30, 2008.

Twice Ian suffered serious injuries in training but successfully went through Sandhurst and joined the PWRR.

“We are fiercely proud of him and full of admiration,” said Linda. “He has overcome such a lot.

“He lost his brother, then got injured and injured again. But he was so determined.

“I am sure many people would have simply packed it in and decided to do something else. But not Ian.”

The couple say that had Ian not already been in the Royal Marines at the time John died, it would have been difficult for them to accept him pursuing a military career.

For their son, the attraction is to lead men on the frontline, said Peter.

“That has been his dream and I think John’s death increased Ian’s determination to serve the flag. And he is also very good at what he does.”

Blinking back her tears, Linda said: “He has battled through so much, he deserves it so much.

“Ian has been very concerned all the way along to know that we support him in this and we do. We always have, just as we did with John.

She added: “You know, I don’t really feel: ‘I wish he wasn’t going out there’ because it is so much what he wants to do. What more can you want for your children than what they want for themselves?

“He said to me: ‘Mum, this is my World Cup’.”

Ian has always been football mad, a Tottenham supporter.

There can be few people who don’t know the John Thornton story – after his death, Peter and Linda set up the John Thornton Young Achievers’ Foundation.

In three years, it has raised tens of thousands of pounds to help young people realise their ambitions and fulfil their dreams. It has become one of the area’s highest profile charities.

It has also helped Peter and Linda cope with John’s death.

“We have learned that keeping busy is the secret to keeping your sanity,” said Linda.

“The foundation helps with that and we do lots of walking and spend time with our friends. The worst thing you can do is sit indoors.”

Ian hopes to visit the place where John fell, although it is quite a distance from where he will be.

His parents really hope he can get there, in part to satisfy their own desire to be at the place where their son made the ultimate sacrifice.

“I get the impression that if it is possible, the military will do it for him,” said Peter.

Peter and Linda feel strongly that John – and now Ian – have played a part in keeping this country safe and that those in the armed forces give up an immense amount to do their duty.

“The lads are out there every day putting their lives on the line and sometimes I don’t think people realise how much they sacrifice.”

The poignancy of the timing of Ian’s departure is not lost on them.

“If it hadn’t been for 9/11, John would be here today and Ian would not be going to Afghanistan,” said Linda “It has had a massive impact on our family.

“But the lives of many, many families were changed forever that day, weren’t they?”