The mother of one of the soldiers held by Iran said last night that she was traumatised after seeing the footage of the British troops.

Sandra Sperry said that her son Adam, 22, had been trying to help the people of Iraq when he was detained last Friday morning. Mrs Sperry, from Leicester, said that she was proud of her son and the work he was doing.

“Adam was just trying to help the people of Iraq by stopping the smuggling,” she told The Sun newspaper. “He’s a Marine, he was just there doing his job. I was already absolutely distraught by what had happened but when I saw the TV pictures it made it even worse. We don’t even know when these pictures were taken.

“I’m very proud of my son but I just want him to come back home. Please, please let them go. He has a lot of friends here, and everyone just wants to see him again and know he’s all right.” Marine Sperry, who was based at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland with the Fleet Protection Group, was seized with 14 colleagues.

Another two missing Marines were identified in reports last night: Joe Tindell, 21, a close friend of Mr Sperry who was also based at HM Naval Base Clyde, and Danny Masterton, 26, from Muirkirk, Ayrshire.

Faye Turney, 26, who had another letter released in her name by the Iranians yesterday, and Paul Barton, 21, from Southport, Merseyside, were identified this week.

Footage of Seaman Turney being interviewed by one of her captors was broadcast on Iranian state television on Wednesday. Seaman Turney said that her 15-strong boarding party from HMS Cornwall had “trespassed” into Iranian territorial waters. The British government has expressed its concern that Seaman Turney and her fellow Navy crew members may have faced “pressure or coercion”.

It said her comments raised “grave concerns” about the circumstances under which she was interviewed.

The Ministry of Defence has refused to confirm the names of the other missing Marines. A spokeswoman said last night that their families had requested the decision.

Marine Sperry, a former Royal Marines boxer, is reported to have served previously with Mr Tindell with 42 Commando three years ago.

Tributes were paid to Mr Tindell, from Shooters Hill, south London, by his former teachers last night.

Marine Tindell, who posted a message on his MySpace website a few weeks ago that revealed he was working in the Gulf, was said to be determined to serve his country.

Alec Hithersay, his teacher at Trinity School, Belvedere, said: “He was a talented kid, particularly good at sports including gymnastics, and he could have chosen any career path he wanted, but his heart was set on serving his country.

“It was no surprise that when he left us in 2001 that’s what he went on to do.”

Joy Long, the deputy head teacher, added: “He was an exceptional pupil and very popular. We were all deeply shocked to see the video footage of Joe.”

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