Tragic soldier’s recorded story for unborn baby

ONE of the three soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan had recorded a story for his unborn baby “so he can get used to my voice”.
William and Lyndsey SavageWilliam and Lyndsey Savage
William and Lyndsey Savage

William Savage, 30, from Irvine in Aryshire, died along with two colleagues from the Royal Highland Fusiliers when their armoured vehicle was hit during a routine patrol in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province.

His pregnant wife Lyndsey posted a scan of the unborn child on Facebook with the words “32 weeks today” the same day that he was killed.

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Corporal Savage had earlier posted on his Facebook page: “Just back from the bfbs radio [British Forces Broadcasting Service]. Recorded a wee story for little Sav so he can get used to my voice.”

Picture: submittedPicture: submitted
Picture: submitted

He also told friends: “Cheers for all the messages. See you in 7 months and you can buy us a beer.”

Lyndsey said: “I am completely devastated but extremely proud of ‘Sav’ and everything that he has achieved. He loved being a soldier. I have lost the love of my life and the father of our son. I know his life will live on through so many amazing memories that we shared together. He will be deeply missed amongst family, friends and the regiment.”

Fusilier Samuel Flint, 21, and Private Robert Hetherington, 25, also died in the attack – all three men were based at Glencorse Barracks in Pencuik.

The men were killed when their heavily armoured Mastiff vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) on Tuesday.

Friends and colleagues paid tributes to motorsports enthusiast and an avid Manchester City fan, Sam Flint, originally from Blackpool. Fusilier Kieran Campbell, said: “Sam was fun to be around, I always gave him stick for being English and joining a Scottish regiment but it never bothered him. He used to spend most weekends in camp. I stayed some weekends to keep him company and we had a few good nights in Edinburgh. Sam was a great friend and soldier.”

And there were also tributes to keen lacrosse player and “outstanding soldier” Private Hetherington, who was born in the US, but brought up in Scotland.

Lieutenant Colonel Robin Lindsay, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “Private Bobby Hetherington was a thoughtful and humorous soldier who was always quick to find the fun in Army life and to keep the chain of command on our toes with his sharp wit.”

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Nine Afghans were also injured in the attack which is believed to be the worst incident involving Scottish soldiers in Afghanistan since the war began.

It is also the first time troops have been killed by an IED attack while travelling in one of the 23-tonne Mastiffs.

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