Hundreds gathered at Canterbury Cathedral today for a moving service to remember the life of fallen soldier Pte Joseva Vatubua.

The 24-year-old Fijian – known affectionately as Big Joe - was killed by a bomb on New Year’s Eve while serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Afghanistan.

He was on patrol in the Nahr-e-Araj district of Helmand Province when an improvised explosive device went off in the wall of a compound.

Tragically, he had been planning to travel to Fiji on his return to renew his marriage vows with wife Claudette.

Eldest sister Alumita Koto was among those paying tribute to her brother at the service.

She said: “Being in the military was one of Joseva’s childhood dreams, of which he worked very hard to fulfil.

“Even though he was thousands of miles away from his family physically, he was with us spiritually, mentally and emotionally. We had him in out hearts, minds and prayers.”