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Private Daniel Wade, 20, from Warrington, was one of six soldiers on a patrol to dominate the area and maintain freedom of movement in Lashkar Gah Durai region in an operational area on the border of Helmand and Kandahar provinces when their Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device . He joined the Army in January 2011 and arrived in the Battalion in July 2011. He was immediately placed onto a Warrior driving cadre, which he passed with flying colours. It did not take him long to establish himself as one of the best drivers in the Company. Furthermore, Private Wade was an excellent shot and he proved himself, in a very short time, to be an excellent soldier.
Private Wade was very popular within the Platoon and the Company at large. He committed himself fully to everything and always delivered what was asked of him. He will be remembered as a family man who was devoted to his fiancée Emma, with whom he is expecting a baby girl called Lexie. He will be sorely missed.
He leaves behind his mother, Lisa, his sister Stacey, his beloved fiancée Emma and unborn baby, Lexie. The thoughts and prayers of all those in his Battalion and Combined Force Lashkar Gah are very much with them at this most difficult time.
Private Wade's family have paid the following tribute:
"On behalf of all our family, we would like to say Daniel was a loving son, fiancé, brother, nephew, grandson, cousin and friend to many. He would have made a fantastic father to his baby girl Lexie who is due on June 12. We are all devastated to have lost such a wonderful caring, brave man. Daniel will always remain our hero, he lived for the Army doing the job he loved so much and it is a testament to Daniel that he lost his life whilst helping rebuild a country torn apart by war. We ask you all to please respect our family's privacy at this difficult and very sad time."
Lieutenant Colonel Zac Stenning MBE, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"Private Daniel Wade was a new young soldier in this family Battalion. A Cheshire lad in a Yorkshire regiment, Dan arrived keen and energetic and in only a very short period of time had made a real mark within Corunna Company.
"Quiet and unassuming, he was very committed in all that he did. It is to his credit that he completed his Warrior Driver course so successfully early in his career. His passion for motocross and Superbikes marked him out as a man who loved speed. We have lost today a young man who had so much to give in his life, both as a son, brother and as a soldier. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Mortimer, Commanding Officer, Combined Force Lashkar Gah (The Queen's Royal Hussars Battle Group) said:
"We in Combined Force Lashkar Gah are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Private Dan Wade. Although he had not been in the Company for long, for those who knew him he was an 'up and coming' soldier. Always seeing the positive, he was well liked and respected by his comrades. He is remembered by his mates as a family man whose girlfriend was expecting the birth of a daughter during the tour. We have lost a fine young man and professional soldier. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult and tragic time. We will remember him."
Major Edward Colver, Officer Commanding Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's Regiment), said:
"Private Wade joined Corunna Company in July 2011 and immediately struck me as a confident and personable young man. He volunteered to be a Warrior driver and excelled on his driver training course. Clearly intelligent, he quickly got to grasps with the intricacies of the vehicle and was never happier than when covered in grease cleaning vehicle tracks.
"Private Wade had a promising career ahead of him. His attitude, demeanour, and outgoing personality were ideally suited to a life in the military, and I am certain he would have gone far.
"My thoughts and condolences are with Private Wade's family and girlfriend at this terrible time. He will be sorely missed by Corunna Company, The Yorkshire Regiment and his comrades."
Lieutenant Daniel Brennan, 7 Platoon Commander, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"Private Wade was devoted to his family, his friends and work. His positive approach to life was infectious and brought light into the lives of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed."
Warrant Officer Class 2 Eric Whitehouse, Company Sergeant Major, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"Private Wade was a quality soldier. He was reliable, honest and hardworking. He was a family-orientated man who cared greatly for his girlfriend and talked warmly of looking forward to seeing his unborn child at the end of the tour.
"He had settled in well into the Battalion life and proved himself to be more than competent in all he did. He was a man with focus, who would have been successful over a lengthy career in the Army. He was a devoted man, with emotional depth and a clear intelligence."
Sergeant Stewart Watts, Platoon Sergeant, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"Wadey was a great bloke and a great soldier who could be relied upon at all times. Wadey was a family-orientated man who was expecting a baby girl called Lexie during the tour. He will be remembered with great affection by everyone in 7 Platoon."
Lance Corporal Lee Marshall, Section Commander 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"An up-and-coming young solider that put great heart in to everything he did. He volunteered for tasks when no one else would, and that's what made him stand out from the rest and made him a great leader of men."
Private Thomas Horne, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"Wadey was a friendly lad and a good mate. Always there with a helping hand. My thoughts are with his girlfriend and his soon-to-be-born baby during this difficult time. They will both be proud of you mate."
Private Luke Stones, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"I first met Wadey in Catterick in training. He was in the Platoon ahead of me but always willing to offer advice and support. He was a good lad and wasn't shy to lend a helping hand to any of the lads. Nothing was too much trouble where the lads were concerned. He constantly spoke about his girlfriend and unborn baby girl. I know for a fact he would have been a brilliant dad. He told me not too long ago he wanted to name his baby girl Lexie. My daughter is called Lexi too. Wadey, I can't believe you're never going to get the chance to meet her. I know your going to be looking down on her wherever you are. Love you mate."
Private Aiden Walker, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"Words can't describe how fearless and up for the job he was and how much he loved his work. Since day one of basic training, it was clear all Wadey ever wanted was to be a soldier. He loved his mum, girlfriend and unborn child more than words will ever describe. I am sure he is now with his father up in a better place. I wish the best for his family."
Private James Butler, 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), said:
"What am I going to do for a lift home on weekends now buddy? You can now watch over your new baby and girlfriend and keep them safe on their journey of grievance and lives together. Love you mate."
In the service of our country. |
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