TOM SAWYERCaptain Tom Sawyer, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed alongside his Royal Marine comrade Corporal Danny Winter in an explosion in Afghanistan on 14 January 2009.Capt Sawyer, 26, who was serving with 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, was deployed in the war-torn country as a Fire Support Team Commander attached to Zulu Company, 45 Commando, Royal Marines, Cpl Winter's unit.At the time of the incident they were involved in a joint operation with a Danish Battle Group and the Afghan National Army to clear compounds in a known Taliban stronghold, north east of Gereshk in central Helmand.Capt Sawyer, from Hertfordshire,was survived by his wife Katy, whom he married in March 2008, parents Martyn and Susan, and sister Wendy.His family paid tribute to him in a statement which read: "Tom was the best husband, son and brother we could ever have asked for. He deeply loved his family and friends and his infectious personality touched all those who knew him."Dedicated to the army and his lads, he was loyal, loud and loving. He will leave a big hole in all of our lives but will always be remembered as our hero."Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the armed forces as an Air Training Corps cadet in his teens.He trained at Sandhurst, earning the Queen's Commission as a Second Lieutenant in April 2002. After completing Young Officer training he became a troop commander with 32 Regiment Royal Artillery and later trained soldiers at ATR Pirbright.He was posted to Afghanistan with 29 Commando in September 2006. After a successful tour he undertook further training back in the UK before returning in October 2008.As well as leading the men under his command, Capt Sawyer was a keen sportsman who competed for the Army in skiing and led soldiers in adventure training.His commanding officer with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, Colonel Neil Wilson, said: "Captain Tom Sawyer died a hero, doing a job he loved and whilst taking the fight to the enemy in the only way he knew."He was a first-class officer with a natural flair for command and was hugely respected by all his fellow officers and by the soldiers he commanded. He excelled as an instructor and mentor, and the time he took to impart his knowledge and uncompromising professional standards to his battery will undoubtedly be remembered as one of his greatest gifts."Major Jackson Docherty reflected on Tom's personality within the regiment: "He was passionate about his job and the battery could ask for no more from him. However, he was an adjutant's nightmare and was notorious throughout 45 Commando Group for his shenanigans and his desire to look cool whilst wearing the latest military fashion - if it was different, Tom had it. He also had a knack of getting away with it!"Comrade Captain Rob Cooper said: "Tom was an outstanding officer, an outstanding Fire Supporting Team (FST) Commander and an outstanding husband to Katy. Tom was a true inspiration to me as a friend and those that he served. His devotion to his wife, Katy, was unrivalled and my heart goes out to her and Tom's entire family who he never stopped talking about. You will be sorely missed mate."
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