Lance Corporal Ashworth, aged 23, died as a result of enemy action
while on patrol with the Reconnaissance Platoon of 1st Battalion
Grenadier Guards, in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province,
Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth
Lance Corporal James Ashworth joined the British Army in 2006 when he
was 17 years old. Following his training at the Infantry Training
Centre, Catterick, he joined Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and
completed a stint of ceremonial duty in London.
He was quickly identified as being a fit, capable soldier and thus
suitable for the Guards' Parachute Platoon, part of 3rd Battalion The
Parachute Regiment. He spent three years with the Guards' Parachute
Platoon, deploying on Op HERRICK 8 and exercising in Belize, Norway and
Kenya.
On returning to the Grenadiers during the build up for Op HERRICK 16,
Lance Corporal Ashworth deployed to Canada with The Queen's Company
before moving across to the Reconnaissance Platoon for the remainder of
Mission Specific Training for Op HERRICK 16.
A talented football player, he represented the Battalion, most notably during their successful recent French military tour.
Lance Corporal Ashworth came from a strong lineage of soldiering: his
father was a Grenadier, and one of his brothers, Coran aged 21, is
currently serving with the Army in Northern Ireland.
Brought up in Kettering, he continued to live there with his mother
and girlfriend. When at home he played football for his local team and
loved spending time with his girlfriend and friends.
Lance Corporal Ashworth was an
excellent soldier with a bright future ahead of him. He was an
exceptional individual with a great deal of proven combat experience.
Although only recently promoted as a Non Commissioned Officer, he was
already working hard to further progress his career by assuming greater
responsibility.
He was a very fit, popular young
man and will be remembered for his strength in the field and his sense
of fun when back in barracks. Lance Corporal Ashworth was a typical
Grenadier: fit, capable and a professional soldier to the core.
The gap left by his loss will be
difficult to fill, and he will be sorely missed by all who served with
him. The thoughts and prayers of the Regimental family are firmly with
James' family during this difficult time.
Lance Corporal Ashworth leaves
behind his mother, Kerryann, father Duane, sisters Lauren and Paige,
brothers Coran and Karl, niece Darcie, aged 4, and his girlfriend,
Emily.
Washington Time
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