Tributes to Rochdale soldier killed in Iraq
MoD describes Rochdale soldier as a 'great leader'.
A British soldier who died in Iraq on Monday has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Scott Hetherington, from Rochdale.
The Lance Corporal from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment died in an incident near Baghdad yesterday but details of what happened haven't yet been released.
In a statement the MoD said:
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington, of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, who died in Iraq on Monday 2 January 2017, following an incident at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, in Iraq. He was a member of Blenheim Company and a Vehicle Commander in the Force Protection Platoon.
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Singleton, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, said:
Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington was a superb soldier and a first class leader. Utterly professional and talented, he was full of character, fun and his enthusiasm was infectious. The Battalion has lost a huge talent and a real character. He will be missed dearly and we will never forget him. Our hearts go out to his parents, his siblings, his girlfriend and his young daughter. They are in all of our thoughts.
Lance Corporal Lynch, Force Protection Platoon, Blenheim Company, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, said:
Snowball was a top bloke. You could always count on him to have a laugh, and he always had an answer for everything. He was such a big character. He will be greatly missed by the whole Battalion.
Major General Rupert Jones, Deputy Coalition Commander, said:
The entire international coalition mourns the loss of Lance Corporal Hetherington. He died helping support our Iraqi partners to defeat Daesh and so protect the United Kingdom. His family and loved ones are in all our hearts and thoughts.
Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mike Penning said:
It is with great sadness and regret that I can confirm that Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington from Manchester died at Camp Taji in Iraq on Monday. Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family, friends and colleagues, and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time. An investigation has started into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
PL