Soldier killed in Ukraine told family to be proud

A British paratrooper killed while serving in Ukraine has told his family to be “proud” and “not to remember him with sadness” in a letter to be opened upon his death.

The body of Junior Corporal George Hooley was returned to RAF Brize Norton on Wednesday following his death last week.

The 28-year-old was killed while observing Ukrainian forces testing a “new defense capability away from the front lines” in what the Ministry of Defense (MoD) described as a “tragic accident”.

Part of the letter, shared at the request of L/Cpl Hooley’s family, said he “went on to do what I trained to do, what I chose to do, and I carried you all in my heart the whole way.”

“If you’re reading this, it means I can’t get home,” he wrote.

“Please don’t let that be what breaks you. You know, I was doing what I believed in and loved, with people I respected, and for causes that were important to me, to my country, and to democracy and freedom in this world.”

“I was proud of what I did. Don’t remember me with sadness and loss. Be proud.”

Earlier on Wednesday, a private service was held at Brize Norton before L/Cpl Hooley’s body was carried past mourners lining the path to Carterton Return Memorial Garden.

He will be promoted to the rank of Corporal in January and given the responsibilities of that role for his deployment to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense said.

L/Cpl Hooley, who was previously deployed to Afghanistan, Africa and Eastern Europe, was described in tributes as having the “rare gift” of “profound kindness”.

The company commander said: “If you met George Hooley you will remember him. His energy and enthusiasm were simply extraordinary.

“He provided a spark that uplifted others, a drive that inspired, and a zest for life that reminded us all how to live with purpose and joy. We loved him for it. George had a rare gift: a profound kindness and genuine time for everyone.”