UK soldier killed in Afghanistan named
Published: 25/06/2007 - 14:17:05 PM
Drummer Thomas Wright. Photo:
PA Wire
The British soldier killed in Afghanistan yesterday has been named as Drummer Thomas Wright, from 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.
He was killed when his armoured "Snatch" Land Rover was caught in an explosion roughly 6km outside of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province.
The 26-year-old, from Ripley, Derbyshire, and four other soldiers who were injured in the explosion, were airlifted to hospital where Drummer Wright was pronounced dead.
The other four are still receiving medical treatment at the ISAF hospital at Camp Bastion, the Ministry of Defence said.
The vehicle had been escorting a military team surveying the site for a new road project linking several Afghan villages in the Babaji area when it was caught in the explosion.
Drummer Wright joined The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 2003 and saw service in Kenya and Northern Ireland before training as a Drummer.
He was then moved to Belize before being deployed to Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Westley, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, paid tribute to the soldier's character, skill and ability.
He said: "He will be best known for his razor sharp wit, numerous tattoos, quirky dress sense and practical jokes.
"Never shy in coming forward, always in the thick of the action, either in the boxing ring or in the field, on parades or in the block, he was a true regimental character who can never be replaced."
The soldier had been delivering civilian and military aid to needy people in remote districts when he was killed, which deepened the "tragedy" of his death, the officer added.
He said: "He was a talented young soldier who was an accomplished musician, a determined boxer and, first and foremost, one of my fighting men."
The 26-year-old had died with "vigour, valour and vigilance" and his loss was "dreadful" and a "terrible blow", Lt Col Westley said.
Major Paul "Shove" Gilby described the soldier, nicknamed "Wrighty", as larger than life, loud, outrageous, quirky, a joker and inspirational.
He said: "Widely respected and admired, he was a key member of a tightly knit company. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, girlfriend and mates in this difficult hour.
"The loss of Wrighty is a horrendous blow to all that knew him; nothing can replace the gap that he now leaves. He will always remain in our thoughts, lives and never be forgotten."
Close friend Lance Corporal Les Barker said Drummer Wright had always been laughing and joking but remained professional in every way.
He said: "He loved the Army, always striving to be better than everyone else - if there was a ragging or joke being played, he was always in the middle of it. He will be sorely missed by all of his mates."
Drum Major Bryn Knowles said the 26-year-old was a "natural drummer" who had performed at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
He said: "His memory will forever be remembered within the Battalion, but in particular within the Corps of Drums, an extremely close-knit platoon.
"Today we have lost a friend, a colleague, and a piece of our heart. God bless you mate."
Major Max Wray, the officer commanding Drummer Wright's Company, said he was an "outstanding character" and "exceptional soldier" who inspired those around him.
He added: "A strong team player who gave his all to those around him, Drummer Wright's infectious enthusiasm and brilliant sense of humour will be sorely missed. It was a privilege to know him."
Defence Secretary Des Browne described his death as "tragic news" and sent his sincere condolences to his family and friends.
He said: "Losing such a talented and popular soldier is terrible, but Drummer Wright did not die in vain; thanks to his endeavours we are winning against the Taliban and making progress in rebuilding Afghanistan."
A total of 61 British personnel or MoD staff have now died while serving in Afghanistan since the start of the US-led operations in November 2001.
That figure includes 38 who are are classed as having been killed in action or from injuries sustained in action.
A further 23 died from other causes or have not been officially classified because of an ongoing investigation.
Drummer Wright is the second soldier to have been killed from the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters within a month.
Lance Corporal Paul Sandford, 23, from London, was shot during an operation to clear a Taliban compound in the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand Province on June 6.
He was taken to a Nato base before being airlifted for medical treatment to Camp Bastion where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His family, from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, said later that the soldier - who had been married for just a year - died doing a job he had been determined to do since he was 11.
Copyright Press Association 2007
