Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Patchy cloudsNews
| 
Submit Comments
Watch video (1 clips)
MUCH loved: Neil Downes from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards based in Helmand Province.
advertisement
Soldier’s moving farewell letter
Paul Britton13/ 6/2007
A SOLDIER killed in Afghanistan wrote a moving letter to his parents which was to be opened if he died.
The heartbroken mother of Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes revealed that in it he said he 'did what he had to do'.
Sheryl Downes said her 20-year-old son, from Droylsden, had "died a hero" serving his country.
Guardsman Downes was with the First Battalion The Grenadier Guards when he was fatally injured after a landmine exploded under his vehicle while on patrol in the volatile Helmand province.
He had been in the Army since he was 17 and had already completed a tour of Iraq.
Mrs Downes said: "All Tony ever wanted to do was to be in the Army. It was his life. His studies were his priority at school and he achieved 16 GCSEs, but as soon as he could he joined up for the Army.
"We are very proud that he served as a soldier. I just want everyone to know that we think our son died a hero, because he was."
Before he left for Afghanistan, Guardsman Downes wrote a letter to his mother and father, Ronnie, to be opened only in the event of his death.
In the letter he wrote: 'Please do not be mad at what has happened. I did what I had to do and serving the British Army was it.
'Again, don't be sad. Celebrate my life because I love you and I will see you all again'.
He leaves a brother Nathan, two sisters Katie and Jodie, a step-brother Mark, a step-sister Tracy and a girlfriend, Jane.
Guardsman Downes was the 60th member of the armed forces to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November, 2001.
He had been serving in the country for 12 weeks.
He was on patrol with the Afghan National Army in an operation to widen and deepen irrigation ditches. He was the gunner in a vehicle that took the brunt of the blast, which hurt four others.
Commanding officers and close friends described him as a 'resolute and steadfast friend' and a 'remarkable soldier'.
CLICK on the video link below for Channel M's report ...
CLICK here to leave your tribute to Tony Downes
Most recent 1 of 1 user comments
Got an opinion you want to share?Do you support council workers who have gone on strike over a below-inflation pay offer?
| Card | BT Fee |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Platinum | 3.0% |
| Barclaycard Platinum 'As on TV' | 2.9% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse For London | 2.9% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Moneyback Bank Loan | 7.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester Personal Loan | 7.7% |
| Halifax Personal Loan (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Bank of Scotland Personal Loan (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Barclaycard Personal Loan | 7.8% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICESAVE Easy Access Account |
6.30% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
6.16% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE internet saver |
5.50% |
If there were more poeple in the world, with this attitude, your homes and towns would be a safer and more friendler.
God bless this young man and his family
29/06/2007 at 16:58