Four-year-old Tyler Hawkings from Walsall, West Midlands, is fighting Ependymona, a form of brain tumour, and he asked the charity, Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, to let him become a soldier for a day.

Make-A-Wish arranged for Tyler to have his own, custom-made soldier's uniform and to arrive at the Bordon Army base in a stretch limousine, so that from the moment he began his wish, he felt truly special.

Along with his mum, Wendy, father Lee, and 10-year-old sister Charlie, Tyler was taken to meet the soldiers and shown all the large tanks, including the main battle tank, a Challenger 2, along with a Warrior armoured personnel carrier.

Tyler learnt how to give commands to direct the tanks – and the soldiers all followed his orders!

He could not believe his luck when he was told he would be going for a ride in the Bulldog tank.

Following a full safety briefing, he climbed aboard and was driven across the Army base into the forest camp area.

A whole squadron of soldiers was waiting and ready to march for him, after which they all took a breather for an Army-style lunch, comprising bangers and beans, corned beef hash and stew, eaten out of mess tins.

This was followed by a hearty game of hide-and-seek, where Tyler's detection skills were put to the challenge by trying to find soldiers hiding in the forest, wearing their camouflage gear.

To end a perfect day, Tyler and his family were whisked off in the Army staff car that was driven by Field Marshall Montgomery during the Second World War, before being presented with a specially-made dog tag with 'Best Recruit' inscribed on it.

Tyler's mum Wendy, said: "Today has been amazing for Tyler and all of us as a family.

"It is a happy day for us all to remember and a break from constant hospital and GP visits."

She added: "Tyler has been made to feel so special and I can't tell you how much it means just to see him so happy.

"Many thanks to Make-A-Wish and to all the soldiers in Bordon for making this day happen."

His dad Lee said: "Watching Tyler play so happily with all the soldiers makes me so happy.

"I will hold on to this day forever – it has been fantastic."