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| 'True professional' Para tributes | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| When Cardiff City made it to the FA Cup final, Sgt Major Michael Williams made sure of one thing - he was there. | When Cardiff City made it to the FA Cup final, Sgt Major Michael Williams made sure of one thing - he was there. |
| But this was no trip down the M4 motorway for the 40-year-old Para, known affectionately as "Weasel" who was killed in action on Tuesday. | |
| This season ticket holder had to fly out on early leave from Afghanistan. | This season ticket holder had to fly out on early leave from Afghanistan. |
| "He was a massive Cardiff City fan, and he was so excited to see them play in the FA Cup final," Sgt Stu Hodgkinson recalled of his friend. | |
| "He talked about the great weekend he had with 40 friends in London, even though Cardiff lost, staying in a hotel that overlooked Wembley. | "He talked about the great weekend he had with 40 friends in London, even though Cardiff lost, staying in a hotel that overlooked Wembley. |
| "When he returned to Afghanistan, he was desperate to return to his men - he was always eager to be at the front." | "When he returned to Afghanistan, he was desperate to return to his men - he was always eager to be at the front." |
| What he did not know about machine gunnery was not worth knowing Maj Adam Dawson | What he did not know about machine gunnery was not worth knowing Maj Adam Dawson |
| And at the front was exactly where he was when he was killed, as he took charge of fire support for C Company of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in the Upper Sangin Valley. | And at the front was exactly where he was when he was killed, as he took charge of fire support for C Company of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in the Upper Sangin Valley. |
| Known as Mark to his army comrades, he was described as one of the most experienced and popular soldiers within 2 Para, where he had spent almost his whole 22-year career. | Known as Mark to his army comrades, he was described as one of the most experienced and popular soldiers within 2 Para, where he had spent almost his whole 22-year career. |
| "Mark Williams was a rock and a constant," said his company commander, Maj Adam Dawson. | "Mark Williams was a rock and a constant," said his company commander, Maj Adam Dawson. |
| "When the situation was swirling around him, he would be found level-headed and down to earth, able to cut through cloud of uncertainty and doubt. | "When the situation was swirling around him, he would be found level-headed and down to earth, able to cut through cloud of uncertainty and doubt. |
| Proud | Proud |
| "He was staunchly Welsh and as proud as any man I know of his heritage. | "He was staunchly Welsh and as proud as any man I know of his heritage. |
| "His humanity was ever present and touched all aspects of his soldiering and his soldiers, who grew in his example. | "His humanity was ever present and touched all aspects of his soldiering and his soldiers, who grew in his example. |
| "Compact in stature but strong in heart, his character overflowed, brought joy to many and left one feeling at ease in his presence." | "Compact in stature but strong in heart, his character overflowed, brought joy to many and left one feeling at ease in his presence." |
| Sgt Maj Williams was on an operation against Taliban when he was killed | Sgt Maj Williams was on an operation against Taliban when he was killed |
| Within 2 Para, his knowledge of machine weapons and technique was described as "legendary". | Within 2 Para, his knowledge of machine weapons and technique was described as "legendary". |
| "What he did not know about machine gunnery was not worth knowing," added his commanding officer. | "What he did not know about machine gunnery was not worth knowing," added his commanding officer. |
| "He was a true professional who took great pride in his vocation. | "He was a true professional who took great pride in his vocation. |
| "He died providing over watch and security for Bruneval Company as it undertook its most challenging operation to date in the centre of the Taliban's heartland beyond Sangin. | "He died providing over watch and security for Bruneval Company as it undertook its most challenging operation to date in the centre of the Taliban's heartland beyond Sangin. |
| "Whilst we will miss him greatly, we will all be thankful and consider ourselves blessed to have known him." | "Whilst we will miss him greatly, we will all be thankful and consider ourselves blessed to have known him." |
| Bluebirds | Bluebirds |
| Major Dave Lee, the Quartermaster, recalled when the soldier joined 2 Para in 1986: "He was a mad little Tom, and was very popular because he was always up to mischief. | Major Dave Lee, the Quartermaster, recalled when the soldier joined 2 Para in 1986: "He was a mad little Tom, and was very popular because he was always up to mischief. |
| "He could lighten any moment, even travelling with Colchester fans to watch his beloved Cardiff City play at home. | "He could lighten any moment, even travelling with Colchester fans to watch his beloved Cardiff City play at home. |
| "He was a season ticket holder, and would always head out of Colchester to Cardiff's home and away matches. | "He was a season ticket holder, and would always head out of Colchester to Cardiff's home and away matches. |
| "He'd leave work early and drive across the country to night-time games. | "He'd leave work early and drive across the country to night-time games. |
| "The highlight of his fanaticism was attending the FA Cup final at Wembley this year, organising his leave from Afghanistan especially for it. | "The highlight of his fanaticism was attending the FA Cup final at Wembley this year, organising his leave from Afghanistan especially for it. |
| "He was a true professional who gave so much." | "He was a true professional who gave so much." |