Hey stoke, sorry I didnt reply sooner mucker. First of all, my sincere condolences, diagnosed 3 weeks ago and gone now? mercifully quick matey, trust me.
I know how you feel stoke pal, the bravest man I ever had the pleasure to know was a Capt in the RAMC who died from cancer of the liver, I served with him when I re-enlisted after GW1, it was he who suggested I apply for a commission, he acted as my mentor and taught me so much, we were together in Bosnia + Kosovo, he passed away when I was in Afghanistan, like you I was gutted, however the Army got me home for his funeral. I still miss him to this day, he passed away in 2002, and I still drink a glass of Port in memory of him each night