Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2007, Trooper Jack Sadler of the Honourable Artillery Company was killed in Afghanistan. He was serving with 4/73 Special Observation Battery, Brigade Reconnaissance Force, on a tactical patrol to the north of Sangin, Helmand Province, when the vehicle he was travelling in was caught in an explosion. Jack joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 2005. He went on to pass the arduous Surveillance and Target Acquisition Patrols Course, and became a Patrol soldier in 2006. He had a degree in War Studies, and his father had asked why he didn't want to train as an officer, but Jack was in a hurry to gain war experience and pointed out that the HAC had not lost anyone since the second world war. He went on to volunteer for mobilisation and deployment to Afghanistan. His father kept a diary of his son's time in Afghanistan, and along with a parent's natural concern is a record of Jack lamenting the uniforms, vehicles and ammunition, and asking his father to buy him a helmet as the ones provided didn't fit properly. He had a degree in War Studies, and his father had asked why he didn't want to train as an officer, but Jack was in a hurry to gain war experience and pointed out that the HAC had not lost anyone since the second world war. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200586/My-boy-Jack--father-s-diary-charts-death-gallant-son-Afghanistan-anger-reasons.html Ian has also published a book which is so much more than the story of Jack - it will make you sad and it should make you angry. One reviewer commented: "Everyone should read this tragic story of how young lives have been wasted by self-serving indifference and incompetence at the highest levels of government." You can find the Kindle edition here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldier-Sacrificed-Sadler-Trooper-25198521-ebook/dp/B00USUSCWK The cover features an oil painting of Jack, which comes from the portraits-for-heroes.co.uk website. Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dave Lakin HAC and Trooper Lorna Kelly HAC said: “Jack loved the Army, and whilst the rest of us were still struggling with how to fit all of our new kit into our bergens, Jack somehow managed to combine sitting his University Finals in War Studies with 4/73’s pre-deployment training. As I recall, there was a fine balancing act between attending his graduation ceremony and the never-ending calls of OPTAG exercises and epic journeys to training areas up and down the length of the A1. Jack often spoke of pursuing a full-time career in the military as an officer, and relished the life experience to be gained on this tour. Jack was known by all for his love of personalised military kit, and the generosity with which he would help to procure such kit for his mates. As a friend, Jack was loyal, kind and considerate, always judging people on merit alone and standing true to his convictions. His wry laughter and his sardonic grin will be missed by many.” Jack, from Exeter, was 21 years old.
