BEN FORDPrivate Ben Ford, who died on 5 September, 2007, aged 18, was serving in Afghanistan with the newly-formed Mercian Regiment when he was tragically killed by a roadside bomb.Pte Ford was originally from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, but had been living in Derby before going to Afghanistan on his first overseas tour of duty.His hometown remained important to him and colleagues described him as a proud "Chessie Boy". He loved his job in the Army and was seen by his superiors as a highly capable soldier with a bright future ahead of him.A talented and determined boxer, who competed in Battalion boxing tournaments, he was described by colleagues as the “life and soul of the party.”Almost 200 people attended his funeral on September 18, 2007, at Chesterfield crematorium.Pte Ben Ford, affectionately known as "Fordy", joined the Army on 29 July, 2005. He trained at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick and was posted to Hounslow, West London, to join the 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment on 20 February, 2006.Pte Ford took part in public duties and pre-deployment training before being deployed to Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan.On 5 September, 2007, Pte Ford was participating in a routine reassurance patrol in the Lashkar Gah region when a roadside bomb exploded, hitting the WMIK Land Rover he was travelling in.Pte Ford and his friend and colleague Pte Damian Wright from Mansfield were both killed instantly. Another soldier, Lance Corporal Ryan Knight, and an interpreter who were injured in the explosion were flown by helicopter to the ISAF medical facility at Camp Bastion for treatment. The interpreter later died of his injuries.Their regiment - formerly the Sherwood Foresters - had just merged with two other units to form the Mercians and the two soldiers were the first fatalities for the newly formed Battalion. Their deaths bring the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan to 76.Pte Ford leaves behind his family and girlfriend, Natasha Petts, who had been pregnant with their child but sadly miscarried shortly before his death.She said: "I'm just still in shock. He was a good soldier and a good man and he did not deserve to die, I know that. We will all miss him terribly."In a statement, Pte Ford's family paid tribute to their son saying: “We are immensely proud of our son and know that he lost his life doing something he was proud to be a part of and that he loved. We now ask that our privacy is fully respected at this very difficult time."Major Paul "Shove" Gilby, Officer Commanding C Company, said Pte Ford was proud of his home town of Chesterfield.He said: "A proud 'Chessie Boy', he served alongside his schoolfriends, Newbold mates and Midland lads. This was his first operational tour of duty in Afghanistan and one that he relished. He was proud to be a member of a close-knit team, company and family regiment."Young on paper, at the age of only 18; however in life he was mature beyond his years in attitude, bearing and ability."On initial impressions he could come across as a quiet individual but to those who knew him, he had a keen sense of humour and was always willing to get stuck into the action."With his pale skin and fair hair he always battled to avoid sunburn in the scorching heat of Afghanistan but would generally end up looking like a lollipop."Paying tribute to both Pte Wright and Pte Ford, Defence Secretary Des Browne said they were two talented and committed soldiers whose loss will be felt keenly by all who knew them.“Their families and colleagues are in my thoughts at this painful time, as are all of our forces facing danger on operations,” he said.
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