A British paratrooper who tragically lost his life while serving in Ukraine expressed that he “went out doing what I trained to do.”
The remains of Lance Corporal George Hooley, aged 28, were returned to RAF Brize Norton in west Oxfordshire on Wednesday following his untimely demise last week in an incident the Ministry of Defence has described as a “tragic accident”.
In a poignant letter penned by L/Cpl Hooley to be read posthumously, he urged his loved ones not to grieve his loss but to remember him for his dedication to his beliefs.
The letter, shared at the behest of his family, read: “If you are reading this, it means I didn’t make it home.
“Please don’t let that be the thing that breaks you. You know I was doing what I believed in as well as loved, with people I respected, and for reasons that matter to me, my country and democracy and freedom in this world.
“I was proud of what I was doing.
“Don’t remember me with sadness and loss.
“Be proud,” he said in two unforgettable words.
He continued “I went out doing what I trained to do, what I chose to do, and I had all of you in my heart the whole way.”
A private ceremony attended solely by family members was held at Brize Norton before L/Cpl Hooley’s body was transported past Carterton Repatriation Memorial Garden.
Members of the public lined the route to pay their respects, some visibly moved, while representatives from the armed forces and police also turned out to honour the fallen soldier.
Mourners congregated at the memorial garden, a space created by the Oxfordshire community as a place to pay tribute to military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
During repatriation ceremonies, the Union Jack is hoisted in the garden and a memorial bell rings.
L/Cpl Hooley, who was set for promotion to corporal next month, tragically lost his life while observing Ukrainian forces testing new defensive capabilities.
The Parachute Regiment soldier, with previous deployments to Afghanistan, Africa and Eastern Europe, was hailed by senior officers as “the glue” and “the laughter within his team”, and someone who demonstrated “a deep kindness and genuine time for everyone”.
The UK has previously confirmed that a “small number” of military personnel are stationed in Ukraine, primarily providing security for British diplomats and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
The deployment of paratroopers in Ukraine was not publicly disclosed by the Government until the unfortunate death of L/Cpl Hooley.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.