Exemplary soldier killed in Afghanistan a week before his 19th birthday
Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, was killed on Wednesday 1 July, 2009, in Afghanistan, a week before his 19th birthday.
He was killed by an explosion - along with Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe- whilst on convoy along the Shamalan Canal, near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said: "Trooper Joshua Hammond was by all accounts an exemplary soldier, popular with his comrades and a true family man.
"Tributes to his bravery, skill and commitment to his friends and family paint a picture of a good and much-loved man whose contribution and presence will be hugely missed by all those who knew him.
Lt Col Marcus Simson, Commanding Officer 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, said: "Trooper Joshua Hammond enlisted in the Army aged 16 and a half and attended the Army Foundation College in Harrogate to complete his initial training. From Harrogate, having been accepted into the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, Trooper Hammond moved to Bovington to learn his trade as a Challenger 2 tank driver. ...
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