Tributes to soldier killed by bomber

Jun 11 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

FORMER teachers of one of the North soldiers killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan have paid tribute to his professionalism and dedication.

Private Nathan Cuthbertson, 19, of Sunderland, was among three men killed on Sunday when a lone militant detonated an explosive device as their routine foot patrol was returning to base in the volatile Helmand province.

The gunner, from the 2nd Battalion in the Parachute Regiment, attended Pennywell School in Sunderland for three years before transferring to St Aidan’s RC School for Boys, also in Sunderland, in 2002.

Pennywell deputy headteacher Craig Walker said the soldier had visited staff last year to show them photographs of him in uniform.

He said: “He was very proud to join the Army. All the staff who taught him remember him well. It’s a tremendous shock to us. He was a fine young man, an academic young man, a strong sportsman.

“He was a credit to his family and his area and there is a sense of sadness in the school at the moment.”

And headteacher at St Aidan’s School, where Pte Cuthbertson studied for his GCSEs, added: “He had a great love of sport and was very popular with staff and students.

“He had an incredibly engaging smile and exuded charm and good humour. Nathan had a love of life. His two brothers still attend the school.

“During his time at the school he matured into an exceptional student and achieved the results that matched his potential.

“Joining the Army was the fulfilment of his ambition. The community of St Aidan’s School extends heartfelt sympathy to Nathan’s family.”

The number of troops killed in action in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001 reached 100 with the deaths of Pte Cuthbertson and his colleagues – Pte David Murray, 19, who was brought up in Carlisle, and Pte Daniel Gamble, 22, from Uckfield, East Sussex.

Pte Murray was a rifleman and assault engineer and his family said in a statement yesterday: “David always dreamed of being a soldier like his uncle, papa and grandad. He made us proud, every day, in everything he did.”

A fourth soldier injured in the attack said his thoughts were with the grieving families of his colleagues.

Sapper Martin Little, 21, from Preston, is being treated at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, and is expected to make a good recovery.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Defence he said: “I am very grateful for the support my family and I have had since returning to the UK.

“My thoughts are now very much with the families of the members of the patrol who died, and also with the families of all the others who have died in Afghanistan.

“My thoughts are also with my mates who are still out there. My family and I now need some time to reflect.”

Website flooded with memories

TRIBUTES to Pte Cuthbertson, who had two brothers Blaine and Connan, also flooded on to the memorial website Gone Too Soon.

One entry, left by an aunt, reads: "My nephew was cruelly taken away from us by a suicide bomber while serving in Afghanistan.

"Cuthy, as everyone knew him, was a mint lad, game for a laugh, very competitive as his mates would know.

"He was the life and soul of any party, the most handsome lad ever, had the world at his feet but also loved the Army."

And a cousin wrote: "Everyone’s really proud of you, Nathan, and heartbroken that you’ve gone. Bet you’re still partying up there, taking my granda for a pint and listening to him moan. Look after each other."