Parents' tribute to 'true hero' soldier

Tributes have been paid to a soldier killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.

Private Daniel Gamble, 22, from Uckfield, died on Sunday.

He was described as a 'true hero' by his parents.

Daniel, a rifleman and linguist from 4 Platoon, B company, 2 Para was on patrol with a platoon of 12 soliders returning to their remote operating base known as Inkerman, north of Sangin in Halmand Province.

At about 11am local time he saw a man acting oddly a few yards ahead of the patrol.

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The man reached under his cloak and detonated a concealed explosive vest killing Private Gamble instantly and fatally wounding two fellow patrol members, Privates Nathan Cuthbertson and Charles Murray.

He would have been 23 on June 25.

His parents said: 'Dan died doing the job he was so proud to do, with the regiment he was so proud to be a part of.

'He was special because he had trained in the Afghan Pashto language.

'He was special to his family and friends - a true hero in every sense, he will be missed by so many people more than he would ever know.

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'We all love him and will miss him so very much, forever in our memories.

'Our hearts go out to the families of the comrades who fell with him.'

Daniel had been a student at Uckfield Community Technology

College until 2002.

Principal Craig Pamphilon said his first thoughts were of great sympathy for Daniel's family and friends at this difficult time.

He said: 'Dan was a lovely person, keen and enthusiastic who enjoyed life to the full.

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'We learned from Dan's parents how hard he had worked as a member of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment becoming familiar with the local language.

'Dan was so often at the forefront of work with the local population putting service and duty to his regiment first.

'He is a true hero.

'His action during his time on this tour of duty can only be described as heroic.

'On behalf of everyone at the college and wider Uckfield community, we send our condolences to Dan's family and friends.

'He will be remembered.'

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Leave you tributes below or email: [email protected]

I went to school with Dan and was in his class. Although I was unaware of his army ventures after leaving school, this is something particularly close to my heart as my brother is in the army and is due to go to Iraq for the second time this year.

To know that our brave soldiers lives can be taken from us so easily is such a frightening thought.

My heart goes out to Dan and his family, he was always laughing at school and from the sounds of things he grew to be a brave, amazing man.

He will be missed by so many.

Hayley Coleman

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I would like to express my deepest sympathy for Daniel's family and friends at this difficult time.

My best friend is in 2 Para, in 4 platoon, and in B company - the same as Daniel - and he is serving in Helmand at the moment.

I know that he is extremely proud to be a part of such an elite force, and that he too will be praying for Daniels family along with those hurt on the same patrol.

I cannot bear to think how difficult this must be on everyone that Daniel knew and loved and I can only let them know that they are being thought of

Lauren Hall