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inmemoriam

1ST BATTALION, THE MERCIAN REGIMENT

POLICE ADVISORY TEAM

Private Alex Isaac was 20 years old and from the Wirral. Following training at the Army Training Regiment in Bassingbourn and the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick he joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) on 12 May 2008.

He served in the United Kingdom and Kenya and on operations in Afghanistan.

Following Mission Specific Training in readiness for deployment on Operation HERRICK 12, he moved from C Company to B (Malta) Company.

Soon after deployment he formed part of a team tasked with advising the Afghan National Police in Gereshk City, Helmand Province. The Police Advisory Team has been providing assistance to the Afghan Police in order to enhance their effectiveness and promote local security, economic development and the rule of law.

On 23 June 2010, following an incident at a Police Check Point near Gereshk, Private Isaac's team, along with the Afghan National Police, deployed as a Quick Reaction Force in support of their Afghan colleagues.

The vehicle in which he was travelling overturned into the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal. At approximately 2208hrs local, Private Alex Isaac died in the incident alongside three of his colleagues from the Police Advisory Team - Colour Sergeant Horton, Lance Corporal David Ramsden and Private Douglas Halliday.

The family of Private Isaac have made the following Statements

Mother; Mrs Annette Isaac, said:

"My beautiful darling son who was a fighter, and so brave, you will always be in my heart, my soul and my thoughts. God bless."

Father; Mr John Isaac, said:

"I will miss you always my brave son Alex, you now live on in my thoughts and my heart."

Brother; Mr Chris Isaac, said:

"Alex, my little brother, will always be remembered for his bravery and huge personality."

Brother; Mr Robert Isaac, said:

"Alex, I am very proud to be your brother; your strength will live on in all of us."

Girlfriend Miss Megan Anyon, said:

"I will always love you, you brave boy."

Grandmother; Mrs Elizabeth Isaac, said:

"Dear Alex I will miss your smiling face."

Grandmother; Mrs Vera Delamare, said:

"Alex was a wonderful grandson and he will be sadly missed."

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Alex Isaac joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) in 2006, coming to us straight from school.

"His age prevented service in Iraq with the Battalion but he was soon deployed to the Falklands and Kenya for training exercises and demonstrated a high level of competence during pre-deployment training for Afghanistan.

"He was keen to serve overseas with his mates and was a capable soldier.

"He came to Afghanistan initially with B Company, but was soon selected to move to Gereshk City to help form a Police Advisory Team under Colour Sergeant Bobby Horton.

"He responded well to the dynamics of this small team and, as a strong and energetic man, he was an ideal role model to the emerging police force that he was mentoring.

"Alex was popular with all and respected for his work ethic and determined nature.

"He was a Mercian Warrior, standing firm to protect those in need and striking hard to defeat their enemies.

"He will always be remembered as one of our heroes, but the loss to his partner Megan, his parents Annette and John, and his family and many friends will be deeper even than ours."

Major Paul Dupuy, Officer Commanding Police Advisory Team Gereshk, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery said:

"Private Isaac was a strong, fit and always cheerful young man. A dedicated and professional soldier he could always be relied upon in any situation.

"He had a great sense of humour and he was a pleasure to work with.

"In the short time that I had the privilege to command him, he proved to be a man of much potential.

"He will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this most difficult of times."

Major Chris Wood, Officer Commanding C Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Alex was a great personality to have in the Company; a big, gregarious man who always wore a ready smile.

"He was the sort of soldier who, despite his relative inexperience, could be relied upon to always get the job done. He had a great future ahead of him and would have achieved anything he set his mind to.

"His loss is keenly felt across the Company and our lives will be poorer without him.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult of times."

Captain Ben Stephens, Intelligence Officer, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Private Isaac was an enormously likeable character. His quiet nature, wry smile and willingness to complete all that was asked of him marked him out as one to watch.

"It is such a tragedy that his future has been stolen from him. His passing will be felt keenly by his friends in the Battalion, many of whom grew up with him in the North West.

"I extend my most sincere condolences to his family; I know your son was a man of courage and honour who fought with great spirit. He will not be forgotten by those who knew him. Stand Firm and Strike Hard Alex Isaac."

Lieutenant Dave Payne, Officer Commanding 6 Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Private Alex Isaac was one of the most complete soldiers I have ever had the privilege of working with.

"His determination and robustness are a testament to his character.

"He was always one of the first to show his hunger for a challenge even in the most adverse of situations. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time."

Private Ian Williams, A Company, 1St Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"I met Alex Isaac when he joined my platoon in training 2 years ago. He was a great lad who always had a smile on his face even when the rest of us 'snapped' as things got tough.

"He always helped me when I needed it. He was a great character and when he arrived at the Battalion he got himself into some funny situations as only he could, but he always kept on smiling. You will be missed my friend."

Private Thomas Daignton-Rogers C Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Ally Isaac, you were the comedian of the group and always had us in stitches.

"You, me, Dougie, Pay, Pete and the rest of the lads - there are loads of good memories that will be remembered. You will not be forgotten. Sleep tight. Rest in Peace."

The Police Advisory Team Gereshk, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Alex was an excellent young soldier with lots of potential who was always ready for anything.

"You could always recognise him as he was someone who wasn't afraid of being an individual and to stand out from the crowd.

"His friendly 'can-do' attitude meant that he was a hit amongst his team mates.

"His natural sense of humour always shone through and he could see the comical side of any situation."

Latest from icasualties.org

British military casualties - Editorial policy

In the service of our country.

Eulogies for all personnel killed on UK operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere are posted as soon as they have been released by the UK Ministry of Defence. Each eulogy we publish for men down in operations brings a lump to the throat. We are losing the best of the best. Politicians must ensure that, when the newspaper cuttings have faded, their sacrifice has had some meaning, has helped bring about a good result. Anything else would be a waste for which they will be eternally condemned.

There is invariably at least a 24 hour gap between the official release of news of an event and the naming of the dead. This is to allow families to be informed and proper eulogoies to be produced. Occasionally families request no euologies or comment. We abide by guidance we receive on such sensitive matters. We regret that information on those who sacrifice almost as much through grave injury is seldom released by the MoD for operational reasons, and so we are unable to pay tribute.

 

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