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Funeral for Northwood soldier announced
THE funeral of a Northwood soldier killed serving in Afghanistan will be held next week.
Private Thomas Christopher Lake, 29, of 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, was killed in an explosion while on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of central Helmand.
Described as a 'loyal, fun-loving action man', he had seen success since joining the army two years ago. Friends and colleagues paid tribute to his dedicated service.
Private Lake was airlifted to the field hospital at Camp Bastion after the explosion on November 20 but died from his wounds.
His body was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last Thursday.
His mother, Carol, said: "Tom was a wonderful son and I will miss him more than I can say.
"He had so many friends who will remember him as a loyal, fun-loving action man who was always the first to try anything new and usually excelled at it.
"Tom loved the army and was so proud to be a soldier. He died doing something he loved and believed in. I will always be proud of my boy.
"The amount of support, phone calls and flowers I have received pays tribute to the sort of man Tom was and I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and words."
Private Lake joined the army in 2009 and completed his training in May last year
He joined 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, known as 'The Tigers', in Germany shortly afterwards.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel James Coote said Private Lake was a "true tiger".
He said: "Private Lake packed an almost impossible amount into his two years in the army, both at work and off duty.
"Where many soldiers would have sought one specialisation in that time he had three - he was a medic, an assault pioneer and was also training as a sniper.
"Private Lake's untimely death has denied the battalion of one of its brightest soldiers. We are all the worse off for his loss."
A service will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Gateway Close, Northwood, on Friday, December 9 at 1pm and all who knew him are welcome to attend.
Flowers and donations can be sent to Help for Heroes. Enquiries to FA Albin and Sons on 020 7313 6920.
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Do you know whether there is any plan for residents and people who work locally to pay their respects, by standing at the side of the road where the hearse will be passing. If there is I would certainly wish to attend to show my respect and appreciation.
Rob Clarke