When Lance Corporal James Hill left for Afghanistan last week, he was so excited about his wedding, which was to take place next year. But four days after leaving his Redhill home for his tour of Helmand Province with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, the 23-year-old was killed by an explosion near Camp Bastion. After receiving a deluge of tributes, James' parents and fiancée spoke exclusively to reporter OWEN EVANS about the young soldier ... fallen hero

THE fiancée of a British soldier was shopping for wedding dresses just a few days before he was killed in an explosion.

After bidding farewell to her husband-to-be James Hill at a leaving party, Anastasia Newman set about arranging her wedding to the 23-year-old on August 7, 2010, after he set off for Afghanistan.

However, their plans for a bright future together came crumbling down after Mr Hill's parents informed her that he had been killed by an explosion near the Helmand Province last Thursday evening.

She said: "Everything was planned. The date was booked. I even went out shopping for wedding dresses last Monday.

"James was so excited about it. The wedding was all he could talk about.

"He kept on saying 'whatever you want you can have'.

"Of course whenever he went away I would miss him and worry about him.

"He is and always will be the love of my life and I feel so grateful to have had the time I had with him. He will live on forever in my heart and memories until we are together again."

Miss Newman revealed they met in the Market Pub, High Street, Reigate, in May 2008.

She added: "He got me incredibly drunk so the day after I couldn't quite remember his name, and so I saved his number on my phone under 'army boy'.

"I still remember the day he proposed. He took me up to London and took me out for a meal and to watch a show.

"We got back to the hotel and he was acting really shifty. He told me to close my eyes and when I opened them he had a bunch of flowers bigger than me – with a ring at the top.

"We were perfect for each other."

His father, Brian Hill, added: "When Anastasia came along we were really happy as she was the last piece in the puzzle for James.

"Everything started to come together for him around that time, he was focussed on his career and a wonderful girlfriend.

"He was a hero to a lot of people."

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt added his voice to the tributes, saying: "It is plain James was set on a successful career path soundly based on his personal qualities, which shine through the moving statements by his commanders and friends.

"Ours is a community which is always strong in its support of the armed forces and will be anxious to support, sympathise and help the Hills and James' fiancée, Anastasia, come to terms with their tragedy and sacrifice in any way it can."

He was the second British serviceman to be killed near Camp Bastion this month after acting Corporal Marcin Wojtak, 24, from Leicester, of 34 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, died in a blast on October 1.

- THE grieving mother of Lance Corporal Hill said she told her son to "stay safe" in what turned out to be their last ever conversation.

Clare Hill, who describes James as a "wonderful son – a brother to everyone", said she had a phone call from the 23-year-old two days before the fatal blast.

"He called on Tuesday night and thankfully we were in. He said he had just arrived at Camp Bastion and everything was fine," she said.

"We told him to stay safe and look after himself. I didn't realise that would be the last time we would speak to him."

Mrs Hill, aged 54, a teacher at Holmesdale Community Infant School, Alma Road, Reigate, was notified of her son's death after two officers visited her and husband, Brian, on Tuesday evening(October 6).

She added: "I got a knock on the door late on Thursday night and opened it to find two army officers waiting there.

"When they asked to speak to us both I just knew what they were going to say.

"Of course we were concerned when he said he wanted to join the army because of what it could entail. But as a parent you have to support your children don't you?"

Lance Corporal James Hill's body will be flown into RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire at 11am today thurs with full military honours.

It is expected a short private family service will be held before his body is released to the coroner.

Mrs Hill added: "He was everybody's brother – that's the best way to describe James. He cared immensely for his friends and family.

"He was the sort of person who would be willing to take on the world for people he cared for.

"Even though he didn't have any brothers or sisters, he was incredibly loyal and protective of the people he met.

"When he came back from Afghanistan he was a totally different person. He had learned respect. It had changed him from a teenager into a man."

Mr Hill, also 54, added: "It was funny as When he first got interested in the army he had long blond hair tied into a pony tail.

"The first thing the recruitment officer said told him was that pony tail would have to go.

"It was such a good thing for him to do. Before then he had no direction in his life.

"One positive thing to come from this is the support we have had received from the friends, family and the army."

- FELLOW officers have paid their respects to a 'superb soldier'.

Lieutenant Colonel Toby W Gray, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards said: "Lance Corporal Hill was, from the very start of his career, a soldier with the most outstanding qualities.

"He thrived on the challenge of the job as well as the added responsibility that it demanded of him. He rose to the task with typical gusto and determination.

"Lance Corporal Hill was, quite simply, superb at everything he did. He was personable, intelligent, fit and ambitious."

Lance Corporal Matthew Cutting, James' best friend in the 'Coldstreamers' praised his professionalism.

He said: "Jimmy was one of the battalion's best soldiers and one of my closest friends. He was a very professional soldier.

"I will never forget all the great times I had with him, from the insane times sky diving in France to having a beer with him and all the mortar boys.

"He was a big inspiration to us all and will be missed badly and will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Jimmy."

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Lance Corporal James Hill.

"My thoughts and condolences are with his family, his fiancée, colleagues and friends at this sad time."

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt offered his condolences on Monday.

The former soldier said: "Ours is a community which is always strong in its support of the armed forces and will be anxious to support, sympathise and help the Hills and James Hill's fiancée, Anastasia Newman, come to terms with their tragedy and sacrifice in any way it can."