MATTY HULLLance Corporal of HorseMatthew Hull, who died on 28 March, 2003, aged 25, was a dedicated and professional soldier who was held in the utmost respect by his colleagues and superiors.His wife, Susan, said: "He is, without doubt, the most exceptional man I have ever met; a loving and supportive husband and son, a dedicated soldier and a great friend to so many."Lance Corporal of Horse Hull was a member of D Squadron of the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry. He was on deployment north of Basra as part of Operation Telic when the convoy of Scimitar armoured vehicles in which he was travelling was attacked by US Aircraft.An inquest into the death of Lance Corporal of HorseHull in 2006 returned a verdict of "unlawful killing."Lance Corporal of HorseHull was born on 31 March, 1977, in the village of East Knoyle on the border of Dorset and Wiltshire. His father worked in a local factory and his mother was a shop assistant.He joined the local Army cadets when he was 12 and soon rose to the rank of sergeant. He was obsessed with the Army and at the age of 16 began his basic training at Pirbright barracks in Surrey .Lance Corporal of HorseHull was based at Pirbright with the Royal Logistics Corps for five years and undertook six month tours to Bosnia as a dog handler and to Kosovo as part of the peace-keeping force.He married his childhood sweetheart, Susan,and the couple settled near Pirbright. Lance Corporal of Horse Hullwas soon promoted to Corporal and enjoyed his work as an instructor.But Lance Corporal of HorseHullyearned to live a more active life in the Army. His friend, Lance Corporal "JC" Moses, said: "Matty wanted something a little more front-line, a little more exciting. He wanted to be a fighting soldier."He transferred to the Household Cavalry based in Windsor. His commanding officer, Lt Col Mark Van Der Lande, said: "He was a great asset. Although he was young, he had these qualities which made others look up to him."Lance Corporal of Horse Hullwas also deeply patriotic and when the time came for his Squadron to serve on the front line in Iraq, he was bristling with enthusiasm. He was ready to fight for Queen and country as the gunner in a three-man Scorpion crew.He was killed three days before his 26th birthday. Shortly after Lance Corporal of Horse Hull'sdeath, Susan Hull said: "There was certainly no better husband, son or brother on this earth."Lance Corporal of Horse Hullwas a fitness enthusiast and a keen sportsman – he skied when he could and played football regularly. He was an avid follower of Everton football club.He was given a full military funeral at Holy Trinity church in Windsor on 26 April, 2003, with some 350 members of his Regiment in attendance.Lance Corporal of Horse Hullwas an exceptional person and exemplary soldier who died doing the job he loved. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.His wife added: "Matty was fully committed to his role, in the Army as a whole, and both his Regiment and Squadron. I know that he was where he wanted to be, doing the job he believed in when he died."
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