THE fiance of a Gwent soldier involved in the dramatic rescue of two SAS soldiers in Iraq has spoken of her pride in her hero husband-to-be.

Paramedic Linda Cox, 35, (pictured) is engaged to Sergeant Bill Whyman, 34, of the Royal Regiment of Wales, who was involved in Monday's dramatic rescue in Basra.

She said: "I was so thrilled when I saw him on the front of the Argus.

"It is a hard and dangerous job and they often get no thanks for it."

Although Linda, from Claremont in Malpas, Newport, knew her fianc had been involved in the rescue she did not know the exact details.

She said: "When he is away we keep in touch over the internet. But if they are involved in a big operation they are out of contact and all the phone lines have to be closed down.

"It is always very worrying. He rang to tell me he was OK, then I picked up an Argus and it was so nice to see him smiling back at me.

"I'm very proud of him."

Linda and Sergeant Whyman got engaged last Christmas, after being together for a year.

She said: "I got to the bottom of my stocking and there was little box all wrapped up. I opened it and found a ring. I couldn't believe it. I was so surprised and happy."

The couple plan to marry next April at the Hilton Hotel in Newport.

Linda, who has three children from a previous marriage, cannot wait.

"The kids all love him, and he is really a great guy," she said.

"It will mean moving to be with him, but it is worth it."

When the regiment return from their tour of duty in Iraq they will be based in Wiltshire.

Linda last saw her fianc in August when he had two weeks leave, and they went to Tenerife.

Monday's dramatic rescue happened after the army received information two SAS soldiers had been handed over to Shi'ite militia by Basra police.

Sergeant Whyman's unit broke into the police station and then into a private house to rescue the men.

Sergeant Whyman then took one of the rescued SAS men back to Shaiba military base in his armoured Warrior vehicle.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant-colonel Huw Lloyd-Jones, called the men heroes.