At approximately 6.30 pm on Thursday 23rd August 2007, Private John Thrumble was killed during a fighting patrol to disrupt enemy activity and reassure the local population north west of Kajaki, in northern Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

Private Thrumble’s platoon came under accurate fire from a determined Taliban force. During the ensuing firefight air support was requested to engage the enemy positions and it was then that a bomb tragically struck the compound where Private Thrumble and his section were located. An emergency helicopter was tasked to assist, however, sadly Private Thrumble was pronounced dead at the scene.

Private Thrumble enlisted into the British Army in April 2004 and having completed training as a rifleman at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, he joined the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment in July 2005. In the same year he completed a tour with the Battalion in Iraq, on Operation Telic 6, where he served with distinction. He had recently participated in exercises in the UK, Canada and Kenya.

As a machine gunner in 7 Platoon B (Suffolk) Company Private Thrumble had been serving in Helmand Province in Afghanistan since March 2007. During this time he had been involved in numerous, close quarter engagements with the enemy where he had proven himself to be a brave, tenacious and steadfast soldier who would not yield irrespective of the circumstances – in a fight he was always there for his mates.

Private Thrumble was a unique character, known by all within B (Suffolk) Company for his quirky sense of humour and unshakably high morale. He had the rare ability to ‘light up’ any situation with a well timed, good humoured remark or gesture that would always raise the morale of his fellow soldiers. A kind-hearted and sincere soldier, he had developed into a highly competent and professional infantryman who loved his job and Army life; he revelled in the operational challenges of service in Afghanistan. He talked enthusiastically of the upcoming promotion course where he aspired to succeed and gain promotion to Lance Corporal. Sadly his significant potential will go unrealised.

Poem from mum Pearl Thrumble:

Our son the soldier, how great a man he must be.
To be joined in the fight to set another world free.
Our son the soldier, so very proud of you we are.
To all of us who love you, you will always be a shining star.
Our son the soldier so far away from home in a foreign place
Just close your eyes to see a familiar smiling face.
Our son the soldier so very far away
We will be waiting with open arms on your coming home day.