Soldier Named After Afganistan Death
Swindon Corporal killed in Helmand Province.
27 year old Corporal Michael Thacker was manning an observation post in Helmand Province when his patrol came under attack on Friday.
The serviceman, from 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, leaves behind a wife and 2-year old daughter.
Cpl Thacker's wife Catherine said: "Michael was the love of my life. He was an amazing husband and father who will always be remembered as a funny, loving and kind man. Everyone who met Mike instantly liked him and through time came to love him."
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Webb MC, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, said: "Corporal Michael Thacker had all the attributes of a superb Royal Welsh junior non-commissioned officer and he was exactly the man that you would want at your side when life got difficult.
"He was a soldier's soldier - a larger than life character, highly competent, fiercely loyal and hugely proud of his family.
"He had a great sense of humour, banter was his speciality and any time spent with him was time well spent."
He added: "No-one ever left him without a smile on their face - he simply loved life. He was mischievous, fun, incredibly amiable and with a grin that would brighten the darkest of days."
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