Tragic Cwmbran soldier's mum tells of her pride

YESTERDAY should have been a day of celebration for the family of Private James Prosser.

But instead it saw the family and friends of the young Gwent soldier burying his ashes in a Cwmbran churchyard.

As they placed the ashes in the grounds of St Gabriel's Church, Private Prosser's family remembered the funny and thoughtful brother, son and friend, who gave his life for his country.

Private Prosser died on September 27 last year while driving his Warrior vehicle during a vehicle patrol in the Musa Qaleh district of Helmand Province.

The 21-year-old from Coed Eva, Cwmbran, left behind his grieving mother, Sarah Adams, 43, sister Emma Prosser, 25, and brother Josh Newman, 16, who marked what should have been a happy 22nd birthday for the soldier who was a former Argus paper boy.

This was followed by a solemn gathering with family and friends at a local pub.

Ms Adams described how difficult the last six months had been.

“There’s not a day that I don’t think about him. I still say good morning and good night to him," she said.

"Just knowing he's not in the room next door is really difficult.

"You see places as you go along in everyday life and know he would have gone there. It brings back constant memories.

“I just miss him - the man he grew to be.”

She called her son a good boy and a daredevil who was easy-going and very independent.

The mother-of-three said she was proud of her son even before he became a soldier and remembers the day when she was told the devastating news.

“It was on the Sunday at about 8.45am. There was only me and Josh in the house and we were up early because Josh was going to basketball.”

Ms Adams, who works at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, had only spoken to her son a few days before and said he was due home just ten days later.

“We both knew when the door knocked. I could just see a dark suit looking through the door.”

Hearing about the deaths of other families brings it all back to the family.

Miss Prosser said: “You can relate to that family and the hurdles they’ve still got to go through.”

Ms Adams said the army and local community had been very supportive.

“Everyone’s been lovely, the army is very supportive, they’re always there,” she added.

She said they have particularly had support from the soldier’s large group of friends in Cwmbran and in the army.

Ms Adams said: “He lived for his friends. As soon as he came home on weekends he went to meet them.

“Emma and Josh are fortunate enough in one way being able to have the memories from James’ friends. We’ve got to know James the friend.”

One of the soldier’s closest friends, Christie Evans, 22, said: “He was just a good friend and we were all so close. He would be the one making the jokes, poking fun. That’s just who he was, he was actually really funny.”

Ms Adams explained how her son had already made some plans for the future and wanted to join the fire service after the army.

But joining the army was not always what Private Prosser wanted to do.

His mum explained how the former Llantarnam Comprehensive pupil was “computer mad” and had always wanted to be a graphic designer.

But two weeks of work experience in an office changed things and he decided it was not for him.

He decided to join the army and started his six months training at ITC Catterick in July 2008, aged 20.

He passed out in February 2009 and flew out to Afghanistan on July 27, 2009.

Ms Adams said: “As a mother you just fear what’s going to happen because you always want to protect your children and you can’t there.”

Miss Prosser added: “I was just glad he had found something he wanted to do but I was scared because you always see it on the news.”

The family will now be presented with the Elizabeth Cross at a medal parade in Brecon on May 1.

This is given to next of kin in recognition for the families of British service personnel killed while serving for their country.

The soldiers from the Second Battalion The Royal Welsh will also be presented with medals for their service in Afghanistan.

Ms Adams said: “It is important to me but I would much prefer to be going to see James receiving his medal. I’d much rather be standing there seeing James with his friends.”

The family are now focusing on raising money to help other soldiers.

They want to raise £10,000 for ABF The Soldiers Charity which gives support to serving and retired soldiers and their families.

Miss Prosser and her brother Josh, who has been picked for the under 18s Welsh basketball team, are now planning to run the Cardiff Half-Marathon on October 17 with 15 other friends and family members.

They have already had donations from people who didn’t even know Private Prosser as well as lots of support on the social networking site Facebook.

Ms Evans, who is also taking part, said knowing they will be doing it in memory of the soldier will spur them on at the finish.

The family are also looking at organising other fundraising events during the year to help reach their target.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Private Prosser’s family and friends can do so at www.justgiving.com/Emma-Prosser or call Alison Sanders on 01633 777235 for further details.

'New tactics needed'

SARAH ADAMS said new tactics are now needed in the war and said it is time for talks with the Taliban.

British soldiers are paying a heavy price for insurgents' use of improvised explosive devices, such as the one which claimed her son's life, she said.

“We’re trying to fight these IEDs when we don’t know where they are. Maybe it’s time to talk,” she said.

But the mother-of-three believes pulling out of the war is not an option.

She said: “I think we should be supportive of Gordon Brown and see this situation through without a doubt, in memory of all that we’ve lost.”

But added: “Tony Blair and George Bush have got a lot to answer for. I think Gordon Brown should be supported because he’s picking up the pieces now.

“We’ve waded in again and not really known the full facts.”

Ms Adams is particularly concerned about soldiers’ wages and has campaigned for their increase.

She stressed how soldiers should be fully paid for what they are doing and so the budget for their wages and equipment should be increased.

Ms Adams appeared on the television show Question Time and met defence minister Bill Rammell and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

She explained how her son received a wage of £1,264 a month but had to pay tax.

She said: “James was happy where he was but I think it needs to change. They shouldn’t be paying tax when they’re not even in the country.”

EDITORIAL COMMENT: A mother's pain

WE cannot start to imagine what it feels to lose a loved one in conflict.

Today, the mother of Private James Prosser, who became the fourth Gwent soldier to be killed in Afghanistan, opens her heart about the tragic loss her family suffered.

Yesterday would have been his 22nd birthday but instead of celebrating it, his family buried his ashes in a churchyard.

Like many others who have died in this conflict, Private Prosser had only just started his life.

His mother Sarah Adams tells of the moment she received a knock on the door and she instantly knew the worst news possible.

She says there is not a day that goes by when she doesn’t think about him.

Hearing of the true scale of emotions families suffer when a loved one is killed is extremely moving.

No words can comfort them at this time but what they must always hold dear to them is what a truly brave man Private Prosser was.