A COUPLE who met while serving in war-torn Iraq are now looking forward to a very different "posting" - a wedding in the Dominican Republic.
Lance Corporal Becky Moore, 21, met Private Alan Stedman, 24, in February 2003 while they were both based near Basra in the early stages of the Gulf War.
They struck up a good friendship during their three-month tour of duty as they worked closely together as quartermasters.
On returning home in May of that year friendship turned to romance.
And now the couple, both based at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, are getting married on 29 July in the lovers' paradise in the Caribbean.
Becky lives with her mum Linda, 46, dad Billy, 42, and younger sister Charlotte, 18, on Delph Mount, Great Harwood.
She said that Alan, who lives near Preston, popped the question over a candle-lit dinner while the couple were on holiday in Turkey in October 2003.
Becky, who was a pupil at Norden High School, Rishton, and then went on to Blackburn College to study public services, said: "It was really romantic. I wasn't expecting it but I was very happy. We went straight across the road to a lovely jewellers and he bought me a ring."
The couple were sent back out to the Iraqi war zone for six months and have only recently returned to a heroes' welcome along with the rest of their troops in the Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
After the wedding they hope to move into an Army house together.
Becky said: "We could be moving to Ireland, Germany or anywhere in the UK, we're just hoping we go together. For now, though, we are just concentrating on the wedding and we're both really excited. Organising a wedding is hard work but it will definitely be worth it in the end."
Becky is having six bridesmaids including Charlotte and her older sister Nicola, 24, who is engaged to Alan's best man John Dickson.
The happy couple plan to have a big party in September, to celebrate their marriage with all their family and friends.
