THE girlfriend of a heroic serviceman who was killed in Afghanistan paid moving tribute as he was flown home to Britain.
Military policeman Cpl James Oakland, from New Moston, was on foot patrol in Gereshk, in Helmand Province, and carrying out a search for bombs when he was killed by a blast from an improvised explosive device.
The 26-year-old’s body was flown back from the war zone to RAF Lyneham.
His girlfriend, Lauren Bowyer, paid moving tribute to her ‘sweet beautiful boy’. She said: "I am overwhelmed with the amount of love for you. You are my world, a true hero and a real gentleman in every way.
"You were the greatest thing that has happened to me and due to your incredible personality you have made me who I am and it’s a true honour to call myself your girlfriend."
She posted her tribute on a Facebook group, called ‘James Oakland – A Man A Legend’ which has more than 150 members.
His parents, Steve and Christine, whose other son Daniel is in his final term at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, said: "We are immensely proud of James, the person he was and the job that he did. He was a true friend, loving son, grandson, brother and boyfriend, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten."
Cpl Oakland joined the Army in 2002 and transferred to the Royal Military Police in 2003.
He had served in Kosovo and Beirut, and had gone to Afghanistan two months early to replace a battlefield casualty.
His death takes the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 222.
Major Andy Lewis, company commander of the Royal Logistic Corps’ Weapons Intelligence Specialist Company, said: "Corporal Jimmy Oakland was one of the brightest stars in my company and it was an honour to serve alongside him.
"A giant in both mind and body he had a natural flair for his job.
"He was the man you wanted on your side in a difficult situation as he had been there many times before.
"A soldier’s soldier, he was in his element in the field; robust, devoted and utterly professional, he epitomised the RMP soldier in every aspect."
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Local lad, outsidethebox (29/10/2009 at 17:48)
We need all our lads back home from this sensless war that isnt worth anymore of our lads lives,This government have let all our people down by allowing our lads to fight without the proper armour and real backing etc.
Colin the pie, WIGAN (29/10/2009 at 18:17)
barca99, Salford (29/10/2009 at 19:51)
RIP Jimmy and God bless your friends and family
Jake Johnson (29/10/2009 at 22:33)
Almighty God, Salford (30/10/2009 at 11:52)
rip to the dead guy.
Public School Pimms Lout (30/10/2009 at 12:02)
Almighty God, Salford: I shall treat your comments with the utter contempt they deserve at this difficult time for his friends, colleagues and family.
Englisc Stannes, North Manchester (30/10/2009 at 13:12)
Almighty God, Salford (30/10/2009 at 13:18)
If you see this as an insult to the fallen, well you're entitled to think that way, although that's not what I was saying.
theoracle1981, manchester (30/10/2009 at 13:39)
Concerned Mancunian, Manchester (31/10/2009 at 09:12)
You are the sort of spineless man who would never have gone to fight for your country in WW1 or WW2 to protect our way of life....you deserve a white feather.....we all know the issues with wars and this one in particular...i`m sure this fallen heroes parents have their own concerns too but did you really have to make a political point out of his sad story....hang your head in shame