Private Thomas Wroe was ‘a well-loved hero’

Published on 18/09/2012 00:00

Private Thomas Wroe could not wait to turn 18 so he could join his friends in Afghanistan, his family has said.

Pte Wroe joined 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment – the same regiment in which his father served for 22 years – and got his wish just seven days after his 18th birthday.

Speaking at the family home in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, Mick Wroe – who served in the Duke of Wellington regiment, which later became 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment – paid tribute to his “hero” son, who was killed alongside Sergeant Gareth Thursby, 29, on Saturday.

Mr Wroe and his wife Claire said it was a life-long dream of Pte Wroe – known as Tom – to join the army and he was excited about going to Afghanistan when he left on 4 July.

Mrs Wroe, 39, said: “He was buzzing about going to Afghanistan. He couldn’t wait to go out there, but couldn’t until he was 18. He wanted to go and join all his mates, he was so excited.”

Mr Wroe, 48, said: “He was a proper little soldier. He wasn’t interested in anything else, he just wanted to be in the army. It’s all he ever wanted to do.

“He was following in the family footsteps and fulfilling his life’s dream. He was a hero – a well-loved hero.”

His mother added: “He walked into a room and lit it up. He was a ray of light to everybody.”

The family said Pte Wroe had been with his girlfriend, Jess Nunn, for many years despite their young age. Mr and Mrs Wroe described how Tom had joined the army cadets when he was 14. After he left school at 16, he went to Harrogate School Foundation College, where he was made junior sergeant, which his father said was “a real achievement”.

Pte Wroe joined his regiment at Warminster in November last year.

Mr Wroe said: “We’re a military family. Both my brothers are in the Duke of Wellington regiment as well, so we all knew the risks.

“I told him, no matter what happens, we will get through it together. If you lose your legs, anything, we will get through it. We just never thought this would happen to Tom, and nothing can prepare you for that news.”