ADAM JAMES SMITHKingsman Adam Smith joined the Army at 16 but died in Iraq aged just 19 on April 5, 2007, in a roadside bomb attack on an armoured vehicle he was sharing with three other servicemen. All four perished.The incident was widely covered in the press at the time, as two of the fatalities were female soldiers, including Joanna Yorke Dyer, a friend of Prince William.Eleanor Dlugosz and Kris O'Neill were also killed in the blast as well as a local Kuwaiti translator.Their Warrior patrol vehicle was blown up in an early morning attack west of Basra city.Kingsman Smith's family issued a statement paying tribute to the young soldier, saying: "Adam was the most wonderful and beautiful person anyone could wish to meet, he always had a smile on his face and loved life so much, he had everything to live for."He was the most popular person you could ever know, everyone loved him and he has left so many broken hearts behind him."He was a loving son, brother and the best boyfriend in the whole world and he will be missed more than words can say. He will forever be in our hearts."Kingsman Adam James Smith was born on the Isle of Man on May 27, 1987, and was brought up in Liverpool, where his family made their home.He joined the Army in April 2004 and joined the 1st Battalion The King's Regiment after completing his combat infantryman training.In 2006 he was selected to join the Reconnaissance Platoon of the 2nd Battallion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.They were deployed to Basra, Iraq, in November 2006, where Kingsman Smith worked with his colleagues in Warrior armoured vehicles, in helicopters and on foot.Kingsman Smith – whose rank was equal to that of private - showed all the qualities of a reconnaissance soldier, his determination and team play resulting in him growing into a popular and respected member of his platoon and his battlegroup.In a short time he had caught the senior officers' eye and had been marked out as having potential. He had already been promoted from rifleman to gunner, and was known for his courage, dependability and cheerful nature in the tough environment of post-war Iraq.Colour Sergeant Skelton, of the Reconnaissance Platoon, said: "Kingsman Adam Smith was such a big character, always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his big blue eyes. For such a young man he was a very talented soldier with a bright future in the Armed Forces."Kingsman Bird, of the Reconnaissance Platoon, added: "Adam was a good mate to me, it was like we were attached at the hip. He died doing the job he loved and was good at."
Keep me informed of updates
