11:10am Wednesday 30th June 2010
By Barbara Jordan
A RUNCORN soldier has died ‘doing the job he loved’ in Afghanistan.
Colour Sgt Martyn Simon Horton, aged 34, was killed with three of his colleagues when their vehicle overturned in a canal in Gereshk, Helmand Province.
His family made the painful journey to Wootten Bassett last night to see his body come home along with seven other north west servicemen killed in action.
Sgt Horton, of the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, joined the army in 1992.
He leaves his girlfriend, Bethany, nine-year-old son, Ethan, and 17-year-old stepdaughter, Bethany.
His sister, Caroline, said: “Martyn lived for three things - family, army and Liverpool.
“He loved fighting for his friends and family.
“He was a loving dad, brother and son, he touched everyone he met.
“We will miss his cheeky grin. He will be fondly missed by everyone he knew and sadly died doing the job he loved. Once met never forgotten.”
Lt Col Andrew Hadfield, his commanding officer, said: “Colour Sgt Horton was one of our very best.
“He was a friendly and amusing man, always looking for the fun in life, and that he enjoyed his soldiering so much meant that he was rarely without a smile, even under a helmet and with a rifle in his hands.
“He leaves a hole in the Battalion that will be very difficult to fill, but I cannot imagine the loss that his nine-year-old son, Ethan, his 17-year-old stepdaughter, Bethany and girlfriend, Gemma, will feel, along wiht the other members of his family, and his many military and civilian friends.”
Warrant Officer Darren Williams, the battalion’s regimental sergeant major, said: “Bobby was one of our most professional field soldiers.
“He was the epitome of a reconnaissance soldier, extremely fit, robust, selfless, courageous, audacious and fiercely loyal with a leadership style that would inspire trust and courage in all around him.”
Council leader, Clr Rob Polhill, said: “It is always sad when a young man dies fighting for his country but it brings it home to you when it is someone from our own borough.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to this lad, his family and friends.”
A total of 20 servicemen have now died in June.
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