Farewell to bomb victim James, 26

INSPIRATION to us all . . . Cpl James Oakland

THE funeral of a former Hulme Grammar School pupil, who died while on duty as a military policeman in Afghanistan, will take place on Friday.

Cpl James Oakland was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Gereshk region of Helmand province on October 22.

The 26-year-old, of New Moston had served in Kosovo and Beirut before being posted to Afghanistan two months early to replace a battlefield casualty.

Cpl Oakland joined the Army in January, 2002, and passed out into the intelligence corps before transferring to the Royal Military Police in 2003.

His parents, Steve and Christine, older brother, Daniel, who is in his final term at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, and long-term girl friend, Lauren Bowyer, 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 boy friend who will be dearly missed and never forgotten.”

Dr Paul Neeson, prinicpal at Hulme Grammar School, said: “James attended Hulme Grammar School from 1994 to 1999. He was a conscientious pupil who never gave less than his best. James had a nice sense of humour and related well to both his peers and his teachers. He enjoyed a successful career in the school’s combined cadet force contingent and it was here that he first demonstrated his leadership potential, which was to bear fruit in his chosen career.

“Many colleagues have fond memories of James and the Hulme community offers its sincere condolences to James’s family.”

Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter-IED task force, added: “Cpl James Oakland was an excellent soldier, a natural leader and extremely well thought of by all ranks.

He was an inspiring character and his loss will be felt keenly across out close-knit community.

“When a battle casualty replacement was needed two months ago, his professionalism made him the natural choice to deploy and he excelled in his operational duties. He always sought additional responsibilities and had a very bright future ahead of him. His personal example and dedication is an inspiration to us all. At this sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones.”

Cpl Oakland’s funeral will take place at Blackley Crematorium from noon.