Friends and family began gathering outside the house on Queen's Park Drive from Friday evening when word began to filter throughout the close-knit community about the death of the brave teenager.

Flowers and cards have been pinned to the wooden fence, along with a flag which carries touching tributes from the many friends of the former Airedale High School pupil.

One message on the flag reads: "Every now and then someone comes into your life who's a cut above and makes a difference. You were that one. RIP mate. Neil."

Another message read: "RIP Jimmy. What a lad you was. Still can't believe you are gone. It still hasn't sunk in. You will never be forgotten and will have a place in my heart. You went in a hero and you died a hero. You've done us all proud. Lots of love. Scott."

A deeply moving letter from James' younger brother Ryan, 15, reads: "To a wonderful brother/friend/uncle. Always will be proud to say your name out loud. Never be afraid of anything in my way because you will be with me in my heart forever. Honour to your friends, family, countrymen and country. You are a hero in my heart and everyone else's heart. Love you brother. Ryan. xxx".

Thousands of people have joined pages set up in James' memory on social networking site Facebook and other websites such as www.lastingtribute.co.uk and www.gonetoosoon.org.

Key figures across the district have all put out public statements of sympathy to pay personal tribute to James.

Paul Frazer, headteacher at Airedale High School, where James left in summer 2007, said his death is a tragedy for the Airedale community.
He said: "James will be fondly remembered as a helpful, considerate young man, full of energy and fun with a fantastic sense of humour, extremely popular with his peers.

"He paid us a visit a couple of months ago to watch a year 11 rugby match and was clearly proud of his career in the army.

"He was very fit and athletic, very mature and loving his job.

"His death is a tragedy and the Airedale community will be all the poorer without him.

"James, who comes from a very loving, supportive family, had a very generous side, paying for his younger brother Ryan, who begins his final year in September, to visit France later this year.

"We intend commemorating his time at our school and the sacrifice that he has made in a fitting way and will liaise with his family to help us decide the best way of doing this.

"Naturally our thoughts and prayers are for his family at this very difficult time."

Coun Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, led a one-minute silence in memory of James at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Coun Box, who also lives in Castleford, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with James' family and friends at this sad time.

"His bravery and selflessness in trying to rescue his comrades, regardless of his own safety, show what a fine soldier he was.
"It is a tragedy that he was killed at such a young age.

"I was personally saddened and shocked by his untimely death."

Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper said: "I was so deeply saddened to hear the news.
"All our thoughts and prayers are with James' family and friends right now.

"He showed such exceptional bravery and genuine heroism, putting his own life at risk to protect his comrades and his country.

"The tributes from his commanding officer and others show what a remarkable soldier he was even at such a young age, and he will always be remembered. His death is a tragic loss for the whole country, as well as for Castleford and for all those who knew him."