Ref.30999-42ARMY girl Gemma Henderson will finally get to walk down the aisle this week after the war in Iraq smashed her wedding plans.

The 25-year-old from Tidworth Close, Rushey Platt, Swindon, had hoped to wed fianc Justin Lloyd-Cowden, 33, from Kent, last October.

But the pair both corporals in the Royal Military Police received call-up notices for a six-month tour of duty in war-torn Basra.

Now they will marry on Saturday at St Marks Church.

"We are just ecstatic that we can finally get married," said Gemma, who was based in Basra Palace the former home of Iraqi information minister, Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahhaf.

"It's now heads down while we put the finishing touches to the plans."

Gemma said their commanding officers had pulled out all the stops to allow the couple to marry on the planned date, but army resources were already stretched.

"We went straight to our COs as soon as we heard to see if we could get time off but it just wasn't possible," she said.

Justin, a Gulf War veteran, was attached to the Royal Regiment of Wales.

As well as keeping discipline in the ranks, he was also tasked with training Iraqi police officers.

Gemma, a former Kingsdown pupil, revealed how she feared the worst each time an explosion rocked the port.

She said: "Every time I would think 'God, I hope that it's nowhere near him'."

Justin said the worst part was worrying about the reaction back home. "When you are out there you get used to the scenarios it's part of everyday life," he said.

"My main concern was for the people back home, who were having to look at the pictures on television and in the papers."

In March he found himself in the middle of an angry mob. While attempting to calm the situation, his Browning 9mm pistol was stolen from the holster on his leg.

He said: "At first the man tried to take my rifle and then he went for the pistol.The Brigade commander eventually managed to get it back after some negotiation."

Wedding invitations for the 115 quests have had to be re-printed at a cost of around £400.

Both St Marks and the De Vere Hotel, which will host the reception, allowed the pair to change their original bookings.

Kevin Shoesmith