A HEROIC Royal Marine was honoured in a military parade and service at a beauty spot he used to visit.

Marines from 42 Commando had to fight on in Afghanistan after James Wright was killed by a grenade fired into a checkpoint – but now on leave they came to Weymouth to pay their respects.

The 22-year-old’s former colleagues from J Company gathered on Overcombe Beach at Preston where James used to come with his family and his girlfriend Shelley Robertson, who is expecting the birth of their child next month.

When the Marines heard Marine Wright’s sister Katie was at work at a hair salon, one of them went to get her and brought her to the parade.

Sergeant Hamish Rodd led the ceremony by paying tribute to Marine Wright – telling how he served as ‘point man’ at the front of patrols checking for improvised explosive devices.

“He was a pleasure to command and the utmost professional,” Sgt Rodd said.

Sgt Rodd added he trusted Marine Wright “100 per cent” and said he was a calming influence and family man who would proudly talk to anyone who asked about Shelley and the rest of his family, displayed on pictures around his bed.

He told of the concrete memorial at the checkpoint with a wooden cross laid in James’s memory upon it, with a candle being lit there every night.

Sgt Rodd added: “James is carved deeply into the lives of all of us and we are all better men for having known him.”

In an added tribute, the group donned sunglasses in homage to Marine Wright’s habit of wearing his.

Marine Ryan Ralphs was with the former Wey Valley schoolboy when he died on August 5 in the Nad-e Ali district.

He read out a poem he has written since his friend’s death and was clearly emotional as he paused to take a breath and compose himself to continue.

Afterwards Marine Ralphs, 26, told the Dorset Echo he remembers Marine Wright being killed under fire from insurgents when the grenade was fired into a tent at the checkpoint.

He said: “I remember everything that happened and it goes through your mind what could have been different.

“It could’ve happened to any of us.

“He was a fighter and one in a million.”

Marine Wright’s mum Sallie said the ceremony had been a ‘really special’ gesture.

His dad David said he was ‘overwhelmed’ at the turnout and with the Marines choosing to come during their own leave time.

The parade made Shelley proud and her father Geoff said it showed how Marine Wright’s colleagues had been ‘like another family’ to him.

n Marine Wright’s family, friends and comrades will be carrying out a ‘Journey for James’ memorial walk in July.

They will be walking 180 miles in eight days from Bickleigh Barracks in Plymouth to Portland Naval Cemetery.

All the money raised will go towards the Royal Marines Charitable Fund.

See journey-for-james.co.uk for more information.