Family mourns Iraq hero - leave your tributes (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Family mourns Iraq hero - leave your tributes

5:16pm Friday 5th January 2007

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THE family and friends of Sgt Graham Hesketh have paid tribute to the man whose ambition was to bring everyone home safe.

Sgt Hesketh, aged 35, who lived at Keepers Walk, Castlefields, was killed as a roadside bomb exploded under his armoured vehicle in Basra three days after Christmas.

He came from a large, but close family who got together regularly.

Sgt Hesketh's uncle Richie Hesketh, aged 60, said: "Normally, had he not been in Iraq, he would have been here with us on New Year's Day.

We all used to go out, all the lads for a drink, a game of pool and to talk about the football.

"He was a lovely lad, he never caused anyone any bother and he will be sadly missed."

Sgt Hesketh's cousin Andrew Hesketh, aged 35, described the last time he saw Graham: "He was here for my parents' wedding anniversary in October.

"He was his normal self, happy-go-lucky."

Andrew explained that the day Sgt Hesketh died his priority was, typically, that of the welfare of his men. He said: "Apparently he didn't have to go on that mission but he didn't want to let his men go without him.

"It was his ambition to bring every man home. To see everyone back safe."

One of Sgt Hesketh's colleagues from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, Pvt Scott Thomas, aged 25, of Beechwood, who knew Sgt Hesketh for three-and-a-half-years explained how he cared for the men in his charge.

He said: "He was really well liked by all the lads, he had a good sense of humour.

"He did what he could for his lads, he was a very good sergeant. He is going to be badly missed, he really is. The new sergeant will have big shoes to fill."

Pvt Thomas and Sgt Hesketh were among a group of five soldiers from Runcorn serving in the same Battalion and who have become close friends.

Pvt Thomas said: "We were going to get a picture taken of all of the Runcorn lads together. It's a shame that we didn't. We will still get it with the remaining Runcorn lads.

Graham, who has children Georgia, seven, and Ben, three, was engaged to be married this time next year to his fiance Rebecca Barnes, aged 25, who serves in the same regiment in Basra. Both were due to return home from Iraq in March.

Sgt Hesketh's body was due to be flown back to RAF Brize Norton on Thursday.

Leave your tributes to Sgt Hesketh below or e-mail newsroom@worldgroup.co.uk

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