MARINE Dale Gostick was always nagging his dad John to borrow his bike, get fit and stop smoking.

So, when Dale was killed in action a year ago in Afghanistan, Mr Gostick decided he would take up his son’s advice and join a forces’ charity cycle ride across France in memory of him.

He completed the Band of Brothers challenge on Friday. Yesterday, back at his home in Great Haseley, near Thame, the 58-year-old said he felt Dale had been pushing him on during the journey.

Dale, 22, was killed when an armoured vehicle he was driving struck a land-mine in southern Afghanistan on May 25 last year.

During part of the journey, a six-day challenge organised by military charity Help for Heroes, Mr Gostick laid a wreath at Ste Mere Eglise, the first French town liberated on D-Day in 1944.

Mr Gostick said: “I did it in memory of my son. It bought it all home to me, I can’t really describe it.

“It was very emotional and you see all the lads doing it who have one leg and they are on their bikes pedalling along.

“It makes you feel quite humble.

“Dale was always saying to me ‘Get yourself fit Dad and stop smoking’ so I took his bike out on the ride.

“He bought it to get fit for the Marines and he said I could use it whenever I wanted.

“It was brilliant, a good strong bike, no punctures.

“I think he must have been up there saying ‘Come on Dad, pedal a bit faster and get yourself going’.

“I think my legs needed to be a bit stronger really, but there was no way I wasn’t going to finish it. I think I want to keep going with it now – cycling is a nice way to keep fit.”

Mr Gostick said the trip, which ended in Paris on Friday, helped him come to terms with his son’s death.

The builder, himself a former Marine, said: “You’re never going to get over it, but it eased the pain a bit.

“A lot of people didn’t realise why I was on the bike ride.

“When they found out they were very sympathetic. There were a lot of tears and cuddles.

“I think about Dale every day. I just couldn’t take it in when I found out.

“You don’t want to believe it. But it happened and you can’t do much about it. You are at a loss.

“But I’m very proud of him. He really was a good lad, well-liked and just normal and healthy.

“When I think of Dale, I think of his little giggle, whenever he was watching any comedy you could always hear him all over the house, just being happy.”

So far, Mr Gostick has raised £3,500 for Help For Heroes.

To make a donation send money to John Gostick, Southview, Rectory Road, Great Haseley, OX44 7JQ.