The family of a British paratrooper killed while serving in Ukraine have shared his heartbreaking final words, written to be read in the event of his death.
A Final Message of Pride and Purpose
Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, died in what the Ministry of Defence described as a "tragic accident" in Ukraine last week. He had been assisting Ukrainian forces with testing a new defensive capability away from the front lines. His body was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in an emotional ceremony on Wednesday.
In a letter he prepared for his family, extracts of which have been released at their request, L/Cpl Hooley sought to comfort his loved ones. "If you are reading this, it means I didn't make it home," he wrote. "Please don't let that be the thing that breaks you."
He explained that he was "doing what I believed in as well as loved, with people I respected, and for reasons that matter to me, my country and democracy and freedom in this world." The soldier, who was due to be promoted to corporal next month, concluded: "I was proud of what I was doing. Don't remember me with sadness and loss. Be proud. I went out doing what I trained to do, what I chose to do."
A Nation Pays Respects
Following a private ceremony for his family at Brize Norton, L/Cpl Hooley's cortege passed the Carterton Repatriation Memorial Garden. Crowds lined the route to pay their respects, with many moved to tears. Members of the armed forces and police also stood in tribute to the fallen soldier.
Mourners gathered at the garden, a community-designed space for honouring fallen military personnel. The public display underscored the profound impact of his loss.
A Soldier Remembered by His Comrades
Lance Corporal Hooley was a seasoned Parachute Regiment soldier with previous deployments to Afghanistan, Africa, and eastern Europe. His senior officers paid glowing tributes, describing him as "the glue" and "the laughter within his team". They highlighted his "deep kindness and genuine time for everyone".
The British government has acknowledged that a "small number" of military personnel are in Ukraine, primarily providing security for diplomats and supporting Ukrainian forces. The presence of paratroopers in the country had not been publicly disclosed prior to L/Cpl Hooley's death.
His final letter stands as a powerful testament to his sense of duty and the convictions that led him to serve in a conflict zone, leaving a legacy of courage for his family, his regiment, and his nation.
