PLEASE SHARE THIS YOUNG MANS STORY, KILLED IN ACTION JUST 2 DAYS AFTER HIS 20th BIRTHDAY; Next week we start work creating a garden for his family in Warwickshire. Early on 12 June 2008, 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company, 2 Battalion The Parachute Regiment was engaged by the Taliban north of their base at FOB Gibraltar in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province. During the exchange of fire Private Jeff Doherty was killed in the face of the enemy amongst his colleagues and friends. Private Jeff Sean Doherty Private Jeff ‘Doc’ Doherty was born in Coventry on 10 June 1988. Joining The Parachute Regiment had long been his passion and he passed out with 699 Platoon from the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, joining 2 PARA in March 2006. His deployment with C (Bruneval) Company to Afghanistan on Op Herrick 8 was his first operational tour. He lived in Southam, Warwickshire, with his father at the family home. Private Jeff Doherty [Picture: via MOD] Private Doherty completed the Drill and Duties course for promotion to Lance Corporal in 2007 and given his very strong performance during the early months of the tour he was a firm contender for promotion on return from Afghanistan. He was an exceptionally fit and strong Paratrooper, proud in his profession and intent on making every moment count. He had boxed at an amateur level for the company at lightweight during inter company boxing where he had displayed his hallmark tenacity, strength, speed and courage. He had a passion for The Parachute Regiment, living life to the full and always living up to the motto Utrinque Paratus - he was truly ready for anything. Private Doherty was a morale tonic, he touched all he knew with his infectious sense of humour and ability to lift the veil of darkness from any bleak moment. He leaves behind a much-loved younger brother and three sisters. His Company Commander, Major Adam Dawson, spoke of his potential and talent: Pte Doherty was at the top of his game, selected to be lead Scout in his section for his maturity, professionalism and innate talent for soldiering. By very nature of his role, he was always to be found at the front, finding the safe route for his team and using his skills to pathfind through the intricacies of the Helmand Green Zone. He demonstrated all that is dear to the Paratrooper - he was passionate, fit, robust and never one to call time. His boxing talents were also well recognised and he had a formidable reputation in the ring, displaying the same determination that he reflected in his daily soldiering. “Proud and strong, light hearted and a liver of life, Pte Doherty will not fade in the memories of the men of Bruneval Company, he will be held as the standard, the epitome of the Paratrooper on operations and the soldier entrusted to keep his section on track. He died as he lived, placing others first and accepting the significant burden of responsibility for his fellow Paratrooper who followed him. I was proud to have known him. His platoon sergeant, Sergeant Chris Lloyd, said: Pte ‘Jeff’ Doherty arrived in the Platoon upon our return from Op Telic 7, Iraq. He was rarely seen without a smile on his face and his sense of humour was infectious. He quickly became very popular not only within the Platoon but across the Battalion. He showed a keen interest in learning to box and as with everything else he attempted he gave it every ounce of his energy. He was fit, motivated and had been selected to attend the promotion course at such an early stage in his career due to all these factors. He had recently started dating Etoille whom he had known for 11 years. He was the main deliverer of morale in the Platoon and his passing has left a void that will not be easily filled. He will be missed immensely. Corporal ‘Des’ Desmond, Section Commander in 8 Platoon, praised his colleague and friend: Private Doherty, Doc, had been in my section since he came to the Battalion in early 2006, he had worked his way up from rifleman to Machine Gunner and, after completing Drill and Duties, he successfully became lead scout and was trusted implicitly. Doc’s wacky sense of humour and keen work ethic made him instantly likeable, and over the last couple of years we became friends. Doc would always do more than I asked of him and thrived on the responsibility as my lead scout while on Op Herrick 8. “I can’t emphasise how much I will miss him being around, I was with him at the last and I can say with total honesty that I was proud to serve and fight alongside him - he died doing what he loved. “Pte Doherty was a Paratrooper and a real friend to myself and all of 8 Platoon, he had become like a younger brother who regularly needed helping out of a scrape or two. Mine, and the rest of the Section’s thoughts are with his family and friends.” Close friend Corporal Adam Ireland said: Jeff was like a brother and one of my closest friends. He has always been in 8 Platoon and lived next to me. Early on it was obvious that he was an excellent soldier. We could not be separated and people referred to him as my protege, which we both loved. He was an ambassador for the Regiment. Corporal Gareth Storey recalls taking him through his training: I first met Private Doherty in 2005 when he arrived in 699 Platoon at ITC Catterick and into my section. Doc had the ability to have all those around him, be they close friends or strangers, in complete stitches. At work he carried out all tasks to the best of his ability and played just as hard. He epitomised what it is to be a Paratrooper and I know that all those who knew him will feel his loss greatly. My thoughts are now with his loved ones at home, Doc did the job he loved and would never give in no matter what the cost. Doc you will be missed - take care son. Private Lee Crudgington recalled their time together in training and in 8 Platoon: I can remember the very first time I met him which was in training at ITC Catterick. Jeff started out in the same platoon as me, 699 Athens Platoon. We were then put in the same section and then the same fire team and our friendship grew. There was no-one in the Platoon that could help but like him because he was such a joker and had reserves of morale - he always turned the darkest times into occasions for amusement. We met up again after the Iraq tour in Colchester, we shared a room and our friendship grew even though Jeff’s bedspace was always messy. Jeff was liked very much across the Battalion and loved even more by his Platoon, we will never forget him, he is one of a kind. Every Man an Emperor. Colleague and friend in 8 Platoon, Private Peter O’Neill, said: I first met Doc after I moved to 8 Platoon, he was the first to welcome me as a brother, we quickly bonded and became the best of friends in our social, private and professional lives. Doc’s dedication to the Regiment was second-to-none, he was fit, strong and had the mentality to crack on no matter what the job. He was a real character who was always lifting morale when needed and even when it wasn’t. He was and always will be typical of a British Paratrooper. I miss you Doc, see you at the reorg. Private Billy Innes recalls his unique character: I’ve known and worked with Jeff for the last two and a half years and I have countless great memories thanks to him. I always loved his ability to switch from the joker of the platoon to the professional soldier; the new lads always looked up to him. He was a proud Paratrooper and friend. My sympathies go out to his family and friends - he will be greatly missed. Private Doherty’s family have made the following statement: We would like to thank all those who have sent their kind words following the death of our son JJ. Many of these have come from his friends in 2 PARA who continue to serve in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with you all and with your families. We also have special thoughts for the families of the other soldiers who have also died whilst serving abroad. This is a terribly difficult time. JJ was such a wonderful son. He was the light of our lives and we all loved him. He was a hero to his brother and sisters and they loved him dearly. We will never forget the bright sparkle in his eyes and the way he could light up a room with his smile. He touched everyone who met him and we shall miss him desperately. We would ask for some space now to allow us to come to terms with our loss. Jeff lived and died doing what he loved and we are proud of him for that. We sincerely hope that his friends can draw strength from his death and we wish them all a safe return home. Defence Secretary Des Browne said: It has been an intense and terrible week for those serving in Afghanistan, no more so than for those in 2 PARA. The deaths of Lance Corporal Bateman and Private Doherty will come as a further blow to them all, however they died as they live; excellent soldiers carrying out their duties with professionalism and courage. “My thoughts are very much with their family and friends as they come to terms with their loss.”
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 07:55:21 +0000
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