Rifleman Daniel Hume of 4 RIFLES killed in Afghanistan

11 Jul 09

It
is with deep regret that the MOD confirms the death of Rifleman Daniel
Hume of The 4th Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on
9 July 2009.

Rifleman Daniel Hume, 4th Battalion The Rifles

Rifleman Daniel Hume was killed in a contact explosion whilst on a foot patrol near Nad e-Ali, Helmand province.

Rifleman Daniel Hume's family has made the following statement:

"Daniel passed out of Catterick as top recruit and since joining the
Army he was the happiest we had known him, he had truly found his place
in the world. He believed in what the British army was trying to
achieve and was confident. He was proud to serve his Country and was
planning to move Battalion when he returned, so that he could guarantee
a speedy return to Afghanistan.

"We have lost a son and a best friend, his death has left a huge void in our lives, we are fiercely proud of him."

His Commanding Officer, Lt Col Rupert Jones MBE, said:

"Rifleman Daniel Hume always said that he wanted one day to be RSM
of the Battalion. This may at first appear to be an arrogant boast from
a young soldier, but in his case it was anything but this. He was an
exceptionally gifted young man who wanted to genuinely do something
with his life and it would have been a brave man to bet against him to
achieve his ambitions.

"He only arrived in the Battalion at
the end of April having just passed out from ITC Catterick where he was
the Top Student. However, he was no stranger to success despite being
only 22. He was a keen snowboarder, but his passion was downhill
mountain bike racing and it was a passion for which he had a genuine
talent.

"He started racing at the age of 12 joining the
Mountain Bike UK / SCOTT bikes squad in 2002. By the end of the season
he was 3rd in the national rankings, with 6 wins to his name. It was
clear even at this stage that he was a genuine star in the making. More
success followed and in 2004 he came 42nd in the D ownhill World Cup.
Rifleman Hume was a young man with extraordinary talent and a real
thirst for life.

"He was born in Slough, before moving to
Maidenhead where he was educated at Furze Platt Senior School and then
at Reading College. Despite his talent on a bike he accepted that he
wouldn't make a living from it and a career in the military beckoned.
Initially he headed towards the Royal Marines, attending the Commando
Course in 2007. Displaying his typical determination and physical
ability, he was nearing the end of the course when he took himself off
for personal reasons. Over the next year he worked for a courier
company before the call of the bugle drew him to the Army.

"The
Royal Marines' loss was the Rifles' gain. In training he was nothing
short of a star; always first in everything, immaculately turned out,
but always there for his mates and up for a laugh. When his friends
were struggling, he was there for them with a kind and encouraging word
and assistance. He was a natural prankster and up for a challenge, but
despite this mischievous streak, like the very best Riflemen, he was
never caught.

"He arrived in 4 RIFLES at a difficult time with
the bulk of Pre Deployment Training completed, but it was testament to
his quick and confident manner that he settled into his platoon making
an immediate impact. He was a true professional, utterly determined in
everything he did and it was no surprise that he rapidly mastered the
skills that he would need in Afghanistan. In his short time in Helmand,
he came to be a Rifleman that both his friends and commanders could
totally rely upon, no matter what the task.

"He was a man with
boundless energy, naturally fit and a sportsman, with exceptional
motivation and will to succeed. Despite all of his ability, he was
truly humble and was just one of the Riflemen - loved and trusted. In
difficult times you need men of character who rise to the immense
challenges that we ask of our young men; Rifleman Hume was one such
man.  He had become a rock within his section that belied his relative
inexperience.  With depth beyond his years, he had an unusually mature
head on his shoulders.

"In the short time he was with 4 RIFLES he made a huge impact within
B Company. Identified from the outset as a star of the future, he drew
rare praise from his Company Serjeant Major and even the senior
Riflemen had come to rely on him.

"Rifleman Hume was the epitome
of the Thinking Rifleman. Early promotion beckoned and he had his eye
on a move to the Sniper Platoon to join some of our very finest
Riflemen. The Snipers sit at the heart of the Rifles tradition and he
would have excelled with them. Mature and perceptive, his aspiration
for the year was to complete the tour safely. Cruel fate has denied him
this.

"His brother Riflemen have been robbed of a future
leader, who would over the coming years have been at the forefront of
his generation. However, his family have lost much more - they have
lost a beloved brother and son. The thoughts and prayers of everyone in
the 4 RIFLES family are with them at this tragic time. We will remember
him.

"Swift and Bold."

From his Officer Commanding, Major Neil Bellamy:

"Rifleman Daniel Hume had a tremendous amount of energy surrounding
him and only had one gear - 5th gear! He would approach every task
whether small and insignificant or vitally important with the same
degree of diligence and enthusiasm. I first came across Rifleman Hume
during the RSOI package helping to organise his Section with the style
of an ambitious young JNCO. I was surprised to find out later that day
that he was a relative new boy and it was apparent to me then that he
was destined for a rapid rise up the promotion ladder.

"As a selfless and incredibly professional young soldier, he will
remain as an example to us all, but more importantly as a close friend
and fellow Rifleman he will be greatly missed by us all."

Company Serjeant Major, WO2 Danny McCreith, said:

"You would think that there would not be much to say about a
Rifleman that had arrived in B Company in early April; how wrong you
would be! Rifleman Hume came across as soldier with more experience,
drive and will to succeed than many of his more senior colleagues.

"I remember one of our first days in PB SILAB, when Rifleman Hume
and I helped build a Sangar at the front gate. I can honestly say that
I have never come across a Rifleman who put so much effort into a task
and felt so much pride in the achievement. It was at this stage that I
spoke to the OC and highlighted a star for the future. Rifleman Hume
had genuine desire to win and this was evident during a 5-a-side
football match against the Gunners on one of our quieter days. Rifleman
Hume had to be substituted because of his over enthusiastic approach,
no malice just raw energy.

"I have no doubt that this young soldier had a bright future ahead
of him and my thoughts at this very difficult time lie with his family
and friends. RIP Rifleman Daniel Hume from one Rifleman to another."

From his Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Matt Littlejohn:

"Rifleman Daniel Hume was without doubt a rising star in 5 Platoon.
He made an indelible mark not only with those in his platoon, but also
within the wider audience of B Company, 4 RIFLES. This being no mean
feat with the short time he was with us.

"Rifleman Hume was one
of my most capable and trustworthy Riflemen. He personified the Army's
values; he showed respect for others and worked not for himself but for
those around him. He was mature beyond his years and I am adamant that
his Army career would have reflected his enormous potential. Two days
before the patrol Rifleman Hume had told me of his aspirations to
become a JNCO.

"Brimming with confidence he recalled how he
saw other Section 2ICs performing their job and told me how he could do
it, and do it better! His dedication could not be faltered and I
remember many a time where in briefings he was the only one in the
platoon taking notes, consistently thriving on learning new lessons.

"Rifleman Hume strived for success and accepted nothing less in
every aspect of soldiering whether it was in barracks or on operations
doing a job he was fiercely passionate about. Rifleman Hume really had
a zest for life. His parents played a large part in his life and he
regularly spoke about them.

"Rifleman Hume will always be
remembered by those of 5 Platoon, however, our thoughts, prayers and
heartfelt sympathy are with his family. For his parents Adrian and
Wendy, they should feel immensely proud of their son who achieved so
much in the most demanding circumstances. He embodied what it is to be
a thinking Rifleman and displayed the courage and fighting spirit that
all of us can draw inspiration from. It is not only an honour but a
privilege to have been able to command such a distinguished Rifleman."

From his Section Commander, Corporal Dominic Purcell-Lee:

"Daniel was a cut above the rest, the way he conducted himself was
something that made him stand out as a very unique individual with a
lot of drive, self determination and pride. He was exceptionally
trustworthy and put 100% into everything he did because nothing less
was acceptable. He excelled at everything he put his mind to. He was
more than an ordinary soldier, he was a natural born Rifleman. Daniel
Hume - 'Chosen Man'."

His friend, Rifleman Gary Smith, said:

"When we first met Daniel it was when we started training together
at Catterick. The first impression that we had was that he was a
switched on lad and knew what it was to be a soldier. As the months
went by he was a good mate of ours. He always wanted to help people
out. Daniel had said that he wanted to do his full 22 years in the
Army, and be the future RSM. All of us believed he would achieve it."

From his friend, Rifleman Jack Pearcey:

"When I asked Daniel what he wanted to achieve out of his career he
answered, "I'm going to be RSM". He was keen as mustard, being an
Infantryman was his bread and butter. He was a natural and brilliant
squad and more importantly a brilliant bloke, goodbye mate. Gone but
not forgotten."

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth MP, said:

"The loss of this soldier comes as terrible news for everyone in the
Armed Forces and I was very saddened to learn of the incident. Rifleman
Daniel Hume gave his life fighting bravely to protect British national
security and to make life better for the ordinary Afghan people. My
deepest sympathies are with his family at this time."

 

Swift and Bold

DWM