Sergeant Lee Paul Davidson killed in Afghanistan

A Military Operations news article

10 Sep 12

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sergeant Lee Paul Davidson of the Light Dragoons was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 9 September 2012.

Sergeant Lee Davidson
[Picture: via MOD]

Sergeant Davidson deployed to Afghanistan on 16 April 2012 as the Troop Sergeant of Support Troop with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force. In June, his Troop was formed into a Police Advisory Team as part of the Police Mentoring and Advisory Group. He was based at Patrol Base Clifton in the north west of Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province.

On 9 September 2012, Sergeant Davidson's Police Advisory Team was on patrol with the Afghan Uniform Police in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. Sergeant Davidson's Ridgback, the rear vehicle of the column, struck an improvised explosive device (IED) and, sadly, he was fatally wounded.

Sergeant Lee Paul Davidson

Born on 13 May 1980, Sergeant Davidson lived in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and started his working life as a pavement re-surfacer. He joined the Army in August 1998 and arrived at The Light Dragoons in January 1999. He deployed on operational tours to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan with C Squadron known as The Legion.

He was subsequently posted to the Army Foundation College at Harrogate where he flourished as an instructor to junior soldiers. He demanded the highest professional standards but always led with the forgiving nature of a father.

He returned to the Regiment in 2011, after marrying his wife Samantha, to become a Troop Sergeant in A Squadron. He was a devoted husband to Sam and doting father to his two boys, Jayden and Jamie.

Sergeant Davidson's wife Samantha paid the following tribute:

"My gorgeous husband Lee, we all can't believe you have gone. You are my best friend, lover and the best husband and father I could have ever have wished for. You really are the total package - good looking, kind, loving, generous and the best dad I have ever known.
"Your memories we had together will be treasured in my mind and heart forever, your children will grow up knowing all this about you. You will never be forgotten. NEVER. All our love your Samantha, Jayden, Jamie and your little daughter whose on the way very soon. X"

Lieutenant Colonel Sam Plant MBE, Commanding Officer, The Light Dragoons, said:

"Sergeant Davidson will be remembered as a simply superb soldier and a wonderful man. From the outset of training for this, his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, he demonstrated the sort of professionalism and determination that had long been his trademark.
"He was the most natural leader of men and soldiers flourished under his command - he set the perfect tone and example and cared deeply for his soldiers' welfare. Rarely to be seen without a broad smile on his face, his enormous popularity was borne out of deep respect and his unbreakable sense of fun.
"Utterly loyal and ferociously hard-working, he was, and always will be, an inspiration to so many.
"He deployed on Operation HERRICK 16 as a member of A Squadron, The Light Dragoons as a Troop Sergeant and a vehicle commander. In this, his core role, he thrived from the outset but, in June, he and his men were selected and trained to become Afghan Police Mentors.
"Typically, Sergeant Davidson attacked this new challenge with gusto, quickly proving to be an outstanding mentor. The requirement to build rapport with his Afghan partners came completely naturally to him and he died doing a job in which he was succeeding and loving.
"His future in The Light Dragoons was full of promise and continued promotion up the ranks was a given.
"He spoke often of the family that he adored; he was so proud of his wife, Sam, and their two boys, Jayden and Jamie. He was overjoyed at the prospect of becoming a father for a third time soon after the completion of the tour; his optimism for the future was infectious.
"He leaves a gap in the ranks of The Light Dragoons which will never be filled. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam, Jayden and Jamie at this most difficult time. Viret in Aeternum. Merebimur."

READ MORE: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/SergeantLeePaulDavidsonKilledInAfghanistan.htm