A COUPLE separated by war for a year have been reunited.

Lance Corporal Jacobus Swanepoel and fiancee Lance Corporal Kylie Watson spent only two hours together in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, as their respective six-month tours of duty crossed over.

They got engaged in Colchester during one of their two-week breaks.

Jacobus, from Colchester’s 16 Medical Regiment, has just returned from Aghanistan.

For the six motnhs before that, Kylie, 23, was based in Afghanistan as a medic.

Both have received medals for their efforts, but the bragging rights in their household go to Kylie, a medic from 36 Engineer Regiment, who received a Military Cross.

She said: “I am very proud of my gorgeous man. We were able to give each other a high five as we crossed over. It is nice to be together again for now, but then I am going to Kenya for three months.”

She was awarded the honour when she tried to resuscitate a casualty in the middle of a firefight with the Taleban before running 100 metres through the bullets and bombs to save the life of an Afghan soldier shot through the pelvis.

Her proud fiance Jacobus, who is based at Colchester’s Merville Barracks, was also no stranger to danger during his time in Nad-e Ali, Helmand.

He said: “I knew what to expect after a previous tour and luckily there were not too many casualties.

“When it does happen, your training kicks in and you have to learn to deal with it. Being back is great. I am really proud of Kylie. This was a real test for the relationship but we passed.

“We got engaged in Colchester when I was back on rest and recuperation and I was so proud when she was awarded the Military Cross.”

The couple will be spending a few weeks together before Kylie leaves for Kenya.