Aldershot soldier killed

An Aldershot based soldier, who was killed in Afghanistan, has been named as Guardsman Jamie Shadrake of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

He died of gunshot wounds when his checkpoint was attacked by insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand province on Friday.

He was killed just three days after his 20th birthday.

Guardsman Shadrake was brought up in Wrexham, north Wales, before he joined the Army as an 17-year-old in 2009.

In April 2010 he moved to 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in Aldershot, joining his elder brother in The Queen's Company. So competent was his performance on a training exercise in Canada in the summer of 2011, that he was placed into the Battalion's elite Reconnaissance Platoon. He subsequently completed Mission Specific Training and deployed with the Platoon to Afghanistan on his first operational tour.

Guardsman Shadrake leaves behind his parents, Cathryn and Philip, brothers Carl, Kieran and Shane, and sister Kerry-Anne.

Guardsman Shadrake's family paid the following tribute:

"Jamie was a tremendous son and brother. He was proud to be a soldier and died doing a job that he loved. We are all devastated by the loss of Jamie who was such a loving son and brother.

"We are very proud of the fact that Jamie was prepared to do his duty in helping the people of Afghanistan.

"Jamie lit up any room with his infectious smile. He will be sorely missed by so many who loved him."

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Bowder MBE, said:

"Guardsman Shadrake was an extraordinary young man. Bright, committed and imbued with boundless energy, his enthusiasm and lust for life were infectious. He was a talented soldier with a huge amount to offer and would have gone a long way in the Army. Indeed, he was determined to do so, not least in order to impress his elder brother who is a Platoon Sergeant in the Battalion.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents and siblings at this extremely difficult time. Guardsman Shadrake's death is a bitter blow to the Battalion and the Regimental family more broadly. He will never be forgotten and we are determined to finish the mission that he so courageously helped to start."