Soldier from North Yorkshire died during training exercise in Driffield says Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of a soldier while on a training exercise.

Pte Nabin Thapa, 35, died on Thursday 21 September at the Driffield Training Area in East Yorkshire.

Tributes have poured in for the soldier - who has been described as an "extremely hardworking and dedicated soldier" who led by example.

Pte Thapa was a member of 6 Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps based at Dishforth Airfield in North Yorkshire.

After initially joining the army in March 2019, Pte Thapa was most recently assigned to Dishforth in August 2020.

A colleague of Pte Thapa described him as a "down to earth person with a very good heart who never wanted to see people around him in trouble".

The commanding officer of 6 Regiment, Lt Col Jen, said: "Private Thapa achieved an incredible amount since he joined the Army in 2019, including completing an operational deployment with the United Nations in Cyprus."

Major Pearson-Burton, commanding officer of 62 Squadron said: "Pte Thapa was a wonderful soldier, utterly committed to his profession.

"We are proud to have served alongside this dedicated and inspiring soldier."

An MOD statement said Pte Thapa was also a talented sportsman, representing the regimental volleyball and badminton teams.

Pte Thapa fundraised for the Gurkha Welfare Trust. In a statement, they said: "We are extremely saddened to learn of Private Nabin Thapa’s passing.

"Despite joining the wider British Army rather than the Gurkhas, he raised substantial funds for The Gurkha Welfare Trust, supporting those less fortunate than him back in Nepal.

"Most recently he undertook a 5km a day challenge over 15 days for us, raising almost double his target.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and his fellow soldiers in 6 Regiment The Royal Logistics Corps."

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