Gareth Karl James (22 May 1981 - 28 May 2018)

Hi buddy everyone done you proud today an amazing celebration of your life it brought back some amazing memories of the good times we had in our cadet life and beyond your amazing larger than life attitude and cheeky smile shone through. A few things that came back to me was when we first meet you would always be hanging on the back of tims bike on your skates cos motorbike (suped up hairdryer) was the quickest way to travel. Also that time we all went camping and you thought it would be fun to set off a tin of beans you positioned it in such a way that when it exploded the tin itself hurled itself in the direction of mogsy who on hearing the bang sat bolt upright and recived the tin in the head and knocked him clean out. We also share the same scar on our left hands as we both climed on top of penyrheol community centre and cut our hands in the same place. Rest easy my friend until we meet again keep on Camp posing and lastly one of your most memorable words " raa said the lion. What did the lion say. Raa. No meow.... it's about the power of suggestion!" You'll never be forgotten my friend your character is to big friendly caring and loving to be forgotten until we meet again my friend sleep tight.

Today I say farewell , And pay my final respects to one of the greatest role models in my life.
Being sent to Germany as a young 18 year old completely oblivious to life and its challenges. Gaz took me under his wing and never failed to let me down.
Selflessly Spending his own time taking me out running , beasting me for almost a month to get me to a high standard of fitness pre tour.
Spending 9 months on Tour with 3 Mercian and him as my Sgt we shared many happy and angry memories.
I will never forget the advice you gave me.
I will never forget your many bad dad jokes I had to listen to down the net in our warrior.
I will never forget the laughs we had.
And I’ll never forget you was the only one who would listen to my s**t.
So today I say farewell , not goodbye. As I hope to see you again one day and we can raise a beer .
❤️💔
💙💛❤️

Many a good time with Gaz and Becky. Through thick and thin they just clicked.

So many good times with Gaz, most invovling a tripple or three and hangovers from hell.

However there was another side to him. I seen him give the big (well i say big) brother chats with younger tradesman, helping, mentoring and yes sometimes in not a friendly way. But always raising those guys and girls up.

Take care mate.

We first met when I was on my vm basic course and Gaz was on his upgraders. On one memorable but hazie evening down the bar we got to messing about which resulted carnage of stools, tables and drinks flying everywhere and in him getting pinned down, not happy with this we went at it again ending in the same result, being most dischuffed at this he nic named me the "crocodile wrestler", a name which stuck. My deepest condolences and hopefully we get to go for round 3 at the big bar upstairs.

The first thing I’ll never forget is our marathon movie session on exercise, which consisted only of re-watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and still laughing every time.

And the one thing which will always stay with me is our little 2 man game we had. The object of which was to purely be the first one to say “morning” to each other, it would either set you up for the day, or leave you devastated. It eventually got more and more complex, with hiding, jumping around doors, surprises, counter surprises and complex signals from third parties. The best one was catching the other sneaking up behind in the reflection of a computer screen and get them without even turning round. It came to a head when on tour in Afghan having been stationed in different PBs, we finally crossed paths after months. I can’t remember who won that one, we might even have said it at the same time.

Completely pointless, yet stressful and hilarious in equal measures.

Gaz. You are apparent in loads of our army memories. Good times, lots of alcohol, more laughs and best friends! Heart broken for you Becky. Loads of love and hugs
Tracy and Steven xxxx

My niece Becky James, I didn't know your man, but what stayed in my mind was something you told me once, that you were with him because he 'got' you. In know what you meant. I'm so sorry for your loss darling. My family and I send you Out Love And Prayers. From Aunty Ro and Family x🙏🏻💞xxxx

Gaz had a funny way with words (the t word still makes us chuckle!) and the biggest zombie phobia I know of!

I (Sue) remember the first meeting with Gaz in early 2012; when he and Becks came over for what started as a fairly sensible dinner at our house. It very quickly turned into a drunken evening with all of us wearing hats! We could barely understand what Gaz or Pete were saying by the end of the night as they'd consumed so much alcohol and Becks, I hope you still have the tupperware dish as a memento!

We can't remember who's idea it was to start running half marathons but that year, Gaz, Becks, Pete and I ran three of them, in Berlin, then Hannover and Hamburg. I'm sure Gaz was just putting on his leg pain in Hamburg so he had a valid reason for being beaten by a girl though ;-)

The last time we saw Gaz, we spent a couple of nights with him and Becks in Paderborn. We had a lovely time catching up at the BBQ that they had held just for us. We never thought it would be the last time we saw him. It still feels quite surreal that we'll never see you again, Gareth. You will be missed, but your spirit will remain in our memories and every time we see Becks and Jasper.

Sleep tight buddy

Much love,

Sue and Pete
xxx

We met in Bordon during phase 2 training and became best mates. We formed the mighty “Black Handed Ninja Death Squad” and spent our NAAFI breaks travelling to new and exotic countries, meeting the folk there and basically kicking their world to pieces. Even though I took on China one sweaty summer afternoon (between engine tech smoke breaks) I like to think that he, as the Founder of BHNDS, didn’t take it too hard.

We met again after I transferred RAMC (He never forgave me.) in Germany. He introduced me to all the proper German ales (And I’ve never forgiven him for that hangover.) Everytime I posted or moved we always ended up crossing paths. I couldn’t get rid of the little Welsh nightmare. He was always smiles and positivity, while I was always rage and frowns, so obviously every time he led me astray it was my fault, because that smile could defuse even my mothers rage (And she’s evil.), in fact he came with me on a family holiday caravanning when we were about 19 and my mum always spoke of how well mannered and pleasant he was, the trickster.

I’m heartbroken to think that I’m never going to randomly bump in to him again. See him walking across some random tank park towards me smiling at the sheer coincidence of it all. I’ll miss him, my family will miss him.

BHNDS FOREVER

I still remember Gaz on winter repair bailing on a jump at hidden valley and turned into a half back flip, he was always happy to give advice and help where he could, he will be sorely missed Arte Et Marte RIP brother