BEFORE Notts soldier Jake Ward went on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, he got a send-off to remember – an early surprise 21st birthday party.
Now, with another possible tour on the horizon, he has gone one better – returning to the same pub where he had his birthday to celebrate getting married to childhood sweetheart Harley McCartney-Martin.
The couple tied the knot on Saturday at the Council House, in Old Market Square, before heading to the Fellows, Morton and Clayton pub, in Canal Street, for their reception.
Jake serves with the 2nd Battalion Mercian regiment, currently in training for possible deployment to Afghanistan later in the year.
With the prospect of this looming, Jake, 22, decided to pop the question to Harley, 19.
The pair have known each other since Harley was six and Jake was nine as they grew up as family friends in St Ann's.
Jake said: "I've been to places like Kenya and Afghanistan and I thought if I propose, it will strengthen us while I'm away and it will give us something extra to look forward to.
"It definitely does keep me going. When times are hard, I always want to come back and make her happy."
The last time the Mercians were sent to Afghanistan was October 2011.
Back then, Jake's friends and family threw him a surprise birthday party because he was going to be away for his 21st birthday.
Around 30 people joined him for one last party at the Fellows, Morton and Clayton pub before he left.
And the couple, of Netherfield, decided on the same venue, for their post-wedding celebrations.
About 40 family and friends were at the ceremony and about 70 toasted the couple at the reception.
After the ceremony, Harley said: "I'm so proud to have married him. It was an amazing feeling.
"It's hard when he goes away but it's worth it when he comes home. When you are apart a lot, you appreciate each other more. We are a whole lot stronger because of it.
"You can't help but worry when he is away, but you can't change anything."
They have a young son, Cameron, two, who was also at Saturday's ceremony.
Jake added: "I'll be sad to be leaving again but it's my job. She knows I will always be going away and it makes us stronger."
Since his last tour, Jake has been promoted to lance corporal.
He said: "It's a step up. I'm a first-rank commander. I think it goes hand in hand with getting married."
Later this year, the family are due to move to Belfast, Northern Ireland, where Jake is based, so Harley can be closer to Jake when he gets home from tours abroad.
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