Tragic soldier 'was true warrior'

Lisa Hodge • Published 7 Sep 2010 14:00

A GREENOCK soldier has been killed in action during a grenade attack in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Joseph Pool, 26, died following an exchange of fire with insurgents in the Nad ‘Ali district.

The dad-of-two, who served with The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and was described by comrades as a ‘Scottish Warrior’, had been due to return home within weeks.

He had recently touched the hearts of Tele readers when he joined the paper in a campaign to rescue abandoned pup Hera, pictured above with Joseph, from the war-torn streets of Afghanistan.

Joe’s death comes just seven weeks after fellow Greenock soldier Stephen Monkhouse was killed while trying to rescue a wounded comrade.

Today, Joe’s devastated family told of their pride and heartache at his death.

His parents Stella and Roderick, and brother Ryan, described him as a ‘loving son and brother’, while fiancee Lynsey, who lived in Stafford Road, Greenock, with Joe, said he was completely devoted to their two sons, Lee, seven, and two-year-old Jamie.

In a statement, his heartbroken family said: “Joseph lived life to the full and was proud of everything he achieved in the Army, always putting others first and doing the best he could at all he did. RIP son, we will always love you.”

The soldier’s two young sons who have been left heartbroken by the news of his death.

His fiancée Lynsey, 27, said: “Joe was a loving fiancé and wonderful dad of his two boys. He was much loved and he will be missed by all his family and friends.”

One family source added: “The kids are upset by what has happened, but they are coping as well as kids can. It’s heartbreaking.

“It’s left everyone totally shaken. We’re all struggling to come to terms with it, especially Lynsey. She is a strong person but obviously she has been left very distressed by this.”

Joe’s comrades from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, have paid poignant tribute to their friend.

Private Iain Collins told how he’d known Celtic fan Joe for three years and praised his bravery on the front line.

He said: “Joe was immensely proud to be a Brigade Reconnaissance Force soldier. The fighting was fierce and the operations dangerous but Joe showed no fear and would constantly be in the thick of things during any contact.

“He was a cracking soldier, always up for a laugh, never afraid to help the lads whenever he could. He was completely dedicated to his job and he gained the respect and friendship of all he served with.

“Joe was also a die-hard Celtic fan. I think the only thing he loved more than his beloved football club was his fiancée and children.

“Joe will be sorely missed by many, particularly by the Brigade Reconnaissance Force and the boys in the Javelin Platoon.

“My heart goes out to those who will miss him most, his fiancée, his family, and his friends at home in Scotland. Sleep easy you Scottish Warrior, gone but not forgotten.”

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert, Joe’s commanding officer, told of his pride at working with brave Joe.

He added: “I take some small comfort from the knowledge that he died doing a job that he loved and that he was so very good at.

“He died a soldier’s death, in close combat, bravely and tenaciously taking the fight to the insurgents, and in doing so helping to protect the people of Afghanistan from a barbaric enemy.

“I suspect he believed passionately in what he was doing, and I know he enjoyed it. I am exceptionally proud to have been his commanding officer over the past two years.”

Major Marcus Mudd, officer commanding 4th Mechanized Brigade Reconnaissance Force, described Joe as ‘courageous and resilient’.

He added: “It was a privilege to have known and served with such an outstanding character who made such a mark on us all. He died a hero, protecting those he led, selfless to the last. He will never be forgotten.”

Sergeant John Knox, reconnaissance platoon, The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, also paid tribute, saying: “Joe was one of my recruits at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick.

“A likeable, robust and reliable soldier with a witty sense of humour, Joe was liked by all members of his platoon and even more by his section members, and would put his neck on the line for any of them, even when it would cost him a broken jaw.”

Joe enlisted in the Army in August 2003. After completing the Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, he joined 1st Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers before the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in March 2006.

He completed tours in Northern Ireland and Iraq, before his final tour in Afghanistan which was to end so tragically.

The soldier headed out to Afghanistan in March around the same time as Lance Corporal Monkhouse.

He had previously told the Tele how he was devastated to learn of the death of the man he knew as ‘Monkey’, saying: “We are a mixture of soldiers from four brigades and we have a few Scots Guards who knew Monkey. We were all devastated to hear what happened.”

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox also paid tribute to brave Joe, saying: “I was extremely saddened to learn of the death of Lance Corporal Pool while he was fighting to improve the lives of people in Nad ‘Ali, in Helmand.

“He was a proud Scotsman and a talented soldier who shone in demanding specialist roles. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues but his loss will be most keenly felt by his family, and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 07 Sep 10

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