Hero who never saw Christmas..
Benjamin Whatley's parents were counting down the days until their son came home from Afghanistan.
They had decided a proper family Christmas was impossible without him, and planned a belated celebration for his return in a few days' time.
They delayed putting up their tree or any Christmas decorations, and stored his presents away until he was safely back.
But now instead of looking forward to a family celebration they are organising a funeral.
Their 20-year-old son was killed as he heroically led his comrades in a ferocious battle against insurgents on Christmas Eve.
The young Royal Marine was the 136th serving Briton to die in Afghanistan since 2001.
Last night his grieving parents told of their 'irreplaceable loss'.
His mother Teresa, 52, said: 'There was no way we could have had a proper family Christmas while he was away. You never stop worrying when your son is away on a tour.
'You are on edge for seven months because you never know if you are going to get phone call or a visit to say something has happened.
'The only time you know your son is safe is when you speak to him on the phone. Then you can relax for that time - but as soon as you put the phone down you begin to get worked up again. You don't know what he will be doing in ten minutes' time.
'Now we have had that visit we were dreading. I suppose that is something we don't have to worry about any more.'
Lance Corporal Whatley had dreamed of being a Marine since he was a boy of 12, his parents said. He joined up as soon as he was old enough and excelled in his training before he was sent to Afghanistan for the first time.
Tragically that deployment saw his best friend Tom Curry shot dead by Taliban fighters on January 13 last year, just days after he proposed to his girlfriend over the phone on Christmas Day.
A person who risks their lives to save others from injury or death are.....
"A man may fight for many things.His country,his friends,his principles,the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child.
But personally,I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sackful of porn."
Blackadder.
mmm but you have a good idea when joining up that there is a distinct possibility that you may actually have to be involved in 'real' warfare. Its the same in any job, you train hard to carry out what you've trained for! A doctor doesn't train for 5 years in the hope that he won't have to touch a patient, an astronaut doesn't train and prepare without the possibilty that their life is at risk.....do you see where I'm coming from?
Well, he might not have had any choice about his posting, but heroes are ppl who had a choice during the heat of war and chose what they believed was right at the risk of their lives.
Unworthy cause? Who is determine whether the cause was unworthy? Even if it was, it doesnt discount a heroic act in the battlefield.
You dont 'expect' to be killed, you are 'prepared' to be shot at...theres a difference between expecting and preparing.
have the balls to stand up and be counted,more than can be said for most people in the world, who expect the freedoms, but will do f*** all to help achieve those freedoms !
But i guess yer can all just sit safe in yer homes, knowing that yer will never have to risk it all for yer childrens future !!
"A man may fight for many things.His country,his friends,his principles,the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child.
But personally,I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sackful of porn."
Blackadder.
Well said, Mr. P.
*****************************************
Don't want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama
but that job is still their choosings, and choosing that i guess were based on their beliefs...of making a difference but knowing that dying is basically part of the job.
correct me if i'm wrong, is it mandatory still, to join the armies in your country?
as britexpat say's - he knew the risk. They are soldiers, because they chose to be, they get paid to do a job. If you get killed doing so, well too bad.
It is war , people die, before Cristmas, after christmas, on birthdays on easter, new years etc. I feel sad for his parents, but live goes on.
Exactly MP, I'm aware that I could potentially get shyte under my new acrylics but thats what I get paid for. I do praise these guys and they shouldn't be fighting someone elses problem either but thats another issue.....yano_08 this 'war' is not about beliefs these people are sent there cos our goverment are interfering a -holes theres a big difference! These lads couldn't give a shyte about Afghanistan but thats their job so they have no choice!
Yes, he knew the risks. However, we must always praise the ones who are willing to lay down their lives for their countrieds.
I am not a supporter of the conflict in Afghanistan, but I am proud of the soldiers that fight there and give up their lives.
another fallen feather to be counted out of the millions who dared, by thinking of bringing forth some difference with their beliefs...
somehow, i find it inexplicably distressing while thinking if that cause they had taken was really worthy of dying if at all...
to the fallen braves, may god show compassion and warm
embrace as you departed this world for the next one..
and to the families left behind, may the torments of loosing your loveones be forever consoled with the thought of knowing that the losts beloved did not die in vain, but died fighting bravely for their choosen beliefs...
certainly, not many among us can stand-up for that...
much more die for it.
a hypodermic needle,by a crazed patient, is it nursey ?
You know it may happen, but yer secretly hope it never will......
"A man may fight for many things.His country,his friends,his principles,the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child.
But personally,I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sackful of porn."
Blackadder.
did some sort of course. Doesnt say wether he then joined at 16 or at 18.
"A man may fight for many things.His country,his friends,his principles,the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child.
But personally,I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sackful of porn."
Blackadder.
All part of the job, thats the risk one takes when joining the Army! Feel sorry for his family but this is what he got paid for.....
Their 20-year-old son was killed as he heroically led his comrades in a ferocious battle against insurgents on Christmas Eve.
The young Royal Marine was the 136th serving Briton to die in Afghanistan since 2001.
Was He 13 when he joined?
us enjoy the freedoms in life that we have.
The poor guy was only 20 f.f.s.!!Show a bit of compassion !!
Its always easy for people to sit safe in their warm, comfy houses, drinking tea or beer or whatever, and slagging off the wars,suicide bombings or whatevers going on around the world, but never ever once, think about putting their fat asses on the line.......
"A man may fight for many things.His country,his friends,his principles,the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child.
But personally,I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sackful of porn."
Blackadder.
You are right stealth what about all those innocent women and children who were killed, what aboth the grief to their families. How many thousands of innocent afganis were killed in this war.
there is nothing heroic about his actions. poor chap died for an unworthy cause.
when you go for war, you expect to be killed not come back alive.