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| Brecon Beacons deaths: soldier lost his life in pursuit of his dream, say family | Brecon Beacons deaths: soldier lost his life in pursuit of his dream, say family |
| (2 months later) | |
| The family of one of the soldiers who died during an SAS selection exercise have said they are devastated, but said he lost his life following his dream. | The family of one of the soldiers who died during an SAS selection exercise have said they are devastated, but said he lost his life following his dream. |
| They revealed that Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, who died in searing temperatures on the Brecon Beacons, had been about to begin a new post in the office of the education secretary. | They revealed that Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, who died in searing temperatures on the Brecon Beacons, had been about to begin a new post in the office of the education secretary. |
| In a statement released via the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, the family, who are from north Wales, said: "We would like to thank all our and Craig's friends for their kind thoughts and support. We are all devastated at the loss of our beloved Craig; this has left a massive hole in all our lives. | In a statement released via the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, the family, who are from north Wales, said: "We would like to thank all our and Craig's friends for their kind thoughts and support. We are all devastated at the loss of our beloved Craig; this has left a massive hole in all our lives. |
| "We wholeheartedly supported Craig in his military endeavours and it gives us some comfort, though great sadness, that he died in the pursuit of his dream. Next month Craig was due to start a new post in the office of the secretary of state for education and we were all very proud of him. We would like to thank the Ministry of Defence family liaison officer for all his help and support in these trying times." | "We wholeheartedly supported Craig in his military endeavours and it gives us some comfort, though great sadness, that he died in the pursuit of his dream. Next month Craig was due to start a new post in the office of the secretary of state for education and we were all very proud of him. We would like to thank the Ministry of Defence family liaison officer for all his help and support in these trying times." |
| A Department for Education spokesman said: "Craig Roberts was due to start work at the Department for Education on 12 August having won a place on a prestigious training scheme for high-flying graduates. Our thoughts are with his family." | A Department for Education spokesman said: "Craig Roberts was due to start work at the Department for Education on 12 August having won a place on a prestigious training scheme for high-flying graduates. Our thoughts are with his family." |
| Roberts was one of two soldiers who died while trying out for the Territorial Army section of the SAS. The second man has not been named but the Guardian understands that he – like Roberts – was an experienced soldier. | Roberts was one of two soldiers who died while trying out for the Territorial Army section of the SAS. The second man has not been named but the Guardian understands that he – like Roberts – was an experienced soldier. |
| Roberts, 24, is believed to have served in Afghanistan as well as undergoing hot weather training in the US. The second man is also understood to have completed a tour of Afghanistan. | Roberts, 24, is believed to have served in Afghanistan as well as undergoing hot weather training in the US. The second man is also understood to have completed a tour of Afghanistan. |
| The inquiry into the men's deaths in the mountains of south Wales on Saturday is being headed by Dyfed-Powys police. An inquest is due to open later this week or next. A third man who was also hit by apparent heat exhaustion remains in a serious condition in hospital. | The inquiry into the men's deaths in the mountains of south Wales on Saturday is being headed by Dyfed-Powys police. An inquest is due to open later this week or next. A third man who was also hit by apparent heat exhaustion remains in a serious condition in hospital. |
| That both men who died were experienced and had worked in much hotter places than the Beacons will increase pressure on the army and MoD to explain what went so badly wrong. The tragedy has focused attention on the government's plans to make greater use of part-time reservist soldiers as the regular army shrinks because of budget cuts. | That both men who died were experienced and had worked in much hotter places than the Beacons will increase pressure on the army and MoD to explain what went so badly wrong. The tragedy has focused attention on the government's plans to make greater use of part-time reservist soldiers as the regular army shrinks because of budget cuts. |
| Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, promised a full service inquiry into the tragedy following the police investigation. It is believed the men were both taking part in the aptitude training element of the course to become an SAS reservist. They had been tutored in how to survive in hostile territory and were just embarking on the testing stage of the process. | Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, promised a full service inquiry into the tragedy following the police investigation. It is believed the men were both taking part in the aptitude training element of the course to become an SAS reservist. They had been tutored in how to survive in hostile territory and were just embarking on the testing stage of the process. |
| Only around one in 10 are thought to pass the test. It is known that the tragedy happened close to Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain and venue for the notorious "Fan Dance", which involves would-be SAS members marching up the mountain, down the other side and back again carrying a weighted pack and rifle – then doing the route in reverse in a set time. | Only around one in 10 are thought to pass the test. It is known that the tragedy happened close to Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain and venue for the notorious "Fan Dance", which involves would-be SAS members marching up the mountain, down the other side and back again carrying a weighted pack and rifle – then doing the route in reverse in a set time. |
| A special assembly was held at the school in south-east London where Roberts worked as a teaching assistant. In a statement, Trinity College in Lewisham said: "The staff and pupils of Trinity school have been greatly saddened by the news of the tragic death of Craig Roberts. | A special assembly was held at the school in south-east London where Roberts worked as a teaching assistant. In a statement, Trinity College in Lewisham said: "The staff and pupils of Trinity school have been greatly saddened by the news of the tragic death of Craig Roberts. |
| "For the past two years Craig worked at Trinity as a teaching assistant and had become a much-loved member of the Trinity community. He showed dedication, commitment and great care for young people. In addition to his duties in lessons Craig ran a fitness club, taught Saturday morning revision sessions and helped lead residential trips. | "For the past two years Craig worked at Trinity as a teaching assistant and had become a much-loved member of the Trinity community. He showed dedication, commitment and great care for young people. In addition to his duties in lessons Craig ran a fitness club, taught Saturday morning revision sessions and helped lead residential trips. |
| "He was very committed to the common life of the school. Craig was proud of his military commitment and communicated that pride to Trinity pupils. We are pleased that Craig was able to be such a significant part of our community. We pray for him and for his family at this terrible time." | "He was very committed to the common life of the school. Craig was proud of his military commitment and communicated that pride to Trinity pupils. We are pleased that Craig was able to be such a significant part of our community. We pray for him and for his family at this terrible time." |
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