“I DON’T want him to ever be forgotten, he made such a difference to other people’s lives.”

Those are the words of widow Heather Wood who will mark the first anniversary of the death of her hero husband, Warrant Officer Class 2 Charlie Wood, on Wednesday.

A year ago WO2 Wood, 34, was caught in a blast from an improvised explosive device as he led the clearance of a route in Helmand River Valley, Afghanistan.

To honour him there will be three separate memorials on December 28.

In Bicester, his wife will join soldiers from 23 Pioneer Regiment, based at St David’s Barracks, Bicester, who are cutting short their leave to be in the town to pay a poignant tribute.

Comrades in Cyprus will play a memorial football match.

And in Afghanistan troops will take part in a remembrance service and lay wreaths in his honour.

Mrs Wood, 32, of Langford Village, Bicester, said: “I don’t want him to be forgotten. I want people to remember who Charlie was.

“It will be an emotional day. But I don’t want it to be a sad day. As hard as it’s going to be, I am very proud of Charlie and want the 28th to be a celebration of his life.”

Mrs Wood and the pioneers will gather at a tree planted in WO2 Wood’s memory, in Garth Park, off Launton Road in Bicester.

The group, who will wear T-shirts with pictures of WO2 Wood, will then follow a Christmas tradition after the service by running from Bicester to the Red Lion pub in Islip for a festive drink.

Mrs Wood said: “Charlie adored Christmas. He and the boys used to have their own Christmas club.

“Each Christmas they made a pact that on one day they would go out for a run as normal, but would run to the pub with a rucksack on their backs, get changed there and have a few Christmas drinks.

“It’s nice that I still have conversations with people about Charlie. He touched so many people’s lives, not just military people.

“He was such a great role model, especially to younger soldiers. I don’t think Charlie ever knew how much he was thought of.”