A FORMER welder-turned soldier, a father-of-two and a man who was expecting the birth of his first child are among the six young fallen soldiers whose bodies will be repatriated to RAF Brize Norton next week.

Oxfordshire is preparing for a “day of many tears” following the biggest single loss of UK life in Afghanistan since 2006.

The Ministry of Defence had originally said the repatriation would take place tomorrow.

However, it has since confirmed it will now take place at some point next week. Exact plans are being finalised.

The six men died when their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a Taliban bomb last Tuesday, while patrolling the border of Helmand and Kandahar provinces.

Cpl Jake Hartley, 20; Pte Anthony Frampton, 20; Pte Christopher Kershaw, 19; Pte Daniel Wade, 20, and Pte Daniel Wilford, 21 were all from 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's).

Sgt Nigel Coupe, 33, was on secondment to the regiment from 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

Their deaths, which now take the total number of fatalities in Afghanistan to 404, have rocked the country, in particular the North of England, from where all six were from. Special church services have already been held in all the men’s communities and Oxfordshire will provide the official and very solemn homecoming when their bodies are flown into RAF Brize Norton and carried, in a convoy of hearses, to Oxford for post mortems.

Stan White, 80, of Kidlington Royal British Legion, is deputy parade marshall at Headley Way in Oxford, where upwards of 300 people are expected to gather when the cortege arrives at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

He said: “It will be a terrible day and while no-one is looking forward to seeing all those coffins go past, we British Legion veterans, along with hundreds of members of the public, will be there to pay those young men and their families our full respects.

“It’s all we can do until they bring all our soldiers home for good.”

Carterton's mayor Norman MacRae will host members of all six men’s families at the town’s memorial gardens, where the cortege will make a customary pause.

Mr MacRae said: “I have to admit I am still in shock.

“Six young men gone, just like that. It's difficult to comprehend.

“The repatriation will be a day of many tears. But there's no shame in tears.”

The fallen:

SERGEANT Nigel Coupe, was a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer from 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, who was attached to 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment as a Warrior Sergeant in 7 Platoon, Corunna Company.

From Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, he leaves his wife Natalie, and two children, Ella and Jasmine.

His family said: “Nigel was a loving grandson, son, husband and daddy who doted on his two little princesses. He dedicated almost 17 years of his life to the Army and we are immensely proud of all that he achieved in his short life.

“He was loved by everyone and will be sorely missed. Words can’t describe the loss we feel.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Wood, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: “Sergeant Nigel Coupe was quite simply an outstanding soldier who epitomised all that a sergeant from The Duke of Lancaster Regiment should be. Professional, courageous and utterly dedicated to his job, he was highly-regarded by all who worked with him.”

PRIVATE Christopher Kershaw, was just 19 and from Bradford.

He joined the battalion in September 2011 and was immediately put on a Warrior driving cadre.

He leaves behind his parents Brian and Monica, and sister Sarah Louise.

Private Kershaw’s mother Monica said: “Chris – our hero. He loved anything to do with the Army from the age of five years old. He lived the dream until the end. God bless, Chris, love you loads.”

Warrant Officer Class 2 Eric Whitehouse, Company Sergeant Major, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, said: “He died doing what he loved and at which he excelled. He will be missed, but not forgotten.”

CORPORAL Jake Hartley, was from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and was one of the Army’s ‘rising stars’.

Already promoted well ahead of his years, Cpl Hartley was said to have an innate ability to inspire those around him and make them achieve more than they ever imagined was possible.

He leaves behind his mother and stepfather, Nathalie and Mark, brother Ethan and uncle and best friend, Luke.

His family said: “We are devastated at the loss of our son and best friend.

“Jake was always in the limelight and a larger than life character. He loved Army life and was very determined to do well. Above all, he loved his family and friends.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Mortimer, Commanding Officer, Combined Force Lashkar Gah (the Queen’s Royal Hussars Battle Group), said: “We have lost an exemplary soldier and an inspirational young leader.”

PRIVATE Anthony ‘Anton’ Frampton, was from Huddersfield and spent a period as an apprentice welder before joining the Army.

Known for his carefree nature and love of life, he leaves behind his mother and stepfather, Margaret and Martin, his father Gary, sisters Gemma and Nicola, great uncle Pat and extended family, who paid the following tribute: “Anton was the life and soul of every party, and always lived life to the full.

“He had a great sense of humour and always made everybody laugh with his crazy dancing and karaoke singing.

“He was a fantastic soldier, winning the Soldiers’ Soldier Award in training, and loved being in the Army.

“We are so proud of him and all that he achieved.

“He will be missed by all his family and friends and will never be forgotten.”

Lance Corporal Luke Wilkinson, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, said of his friend: “He just had the natural ability to make the best of a bad situation.

“All he cared about was his mum and told us all daily how much fun he was going to have on Rest and Recuperation.”

PRIVATE Daniel Wilford, 21, was from Huddersfield and had deployed to Afghanistan in February.

An extremely effective Warrior gunner with a thorough knowledge of the vehicle and its weapon systems, away from military life he enjoyed playing golf and darts with his friends.

He leaves behind his mother and stepfather, Diane and Paul, his brother Alex and his grandparents, who said: “Daniel was a kind and loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin who was always full of energy.

“He never rested and was always out and about living life to the full having fun. He will be very much missed by everyone who knew him.”

Lieutenant Colonel Zac Stenning, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, added: “Private Daniel Wilford was the archetypal Yorkshire infantry soldier; quiet, unassuming but with bags of character.

“A thoroughly honest and dedicated infantryman, his friends and colleagues trusted and respected him.”

PRIVATE Daniel Wade, 20, was from Warrington and had established himself as one of the best drivers and marksmen in Corunna Company.

His first child, a daughter he had already named Lexie, is due in June.

His mother Lisa, sister Stacey and fiancée Emma said: “On behalf of all our family, we would like to say Daniel was a loving son, fiancé, brother, nephew, grandson, cousin and friend to many.

“He would have made a fantastic father to his baby girl Lexie who is due on June 12. We are all devastated to have lost such a wonderful caring, brave man.

“Daniel will always remain our hero.”

Private Aiden Walker, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, added: “Words can’t describe how fearless and up for the job he was and how much he loved his work.

He loved his mum, girlfriend and unborn child more than words will ever describe.”