Joseph Pool

British Soldier Lance Corporal Joseph Pool, from Greenock, who served with The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed on September 5, 2010, when an early morning search of compounds in the Nade Ali district was met with a rocket-propelled attack by insurgents. He had been due to return home next month.

L-Cpl Pool, age 26, is survived by his fiancee Lynsey Houston and the couple’s two children Lee, seven, and Jamie, two, his mother and father, Stella and Roderick, and brother Ryan.  A family statement released last night said: “Joseph was a loving son to Stella and Roderick, brother of Ryan, loving father of Lee and Jamie and devoted partner to Lynsey. He lived life to the full and was proud of everything he achieved in the Army, always putting others first and doing the best he could at all he did.”  His fiancée added: “Joe was a loving fiancé and wonderful dad of two boys; he was much loved and he will be missed by all his family and friends.”

The lifelong Celtic fan was remembered by colleagues for his skill as a soldier and his physical strength. A recently qualified physical training instructor who boxed for his battalion. He had a kindhearted reputation, rescuing an abandoned puppy from the streets of Afghanistan where it was being used as a football by local children. He enlisted in 2003 and completed tours of Northern Ireland and Iraq. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said he was often selected for demanding specialist roles on operations given his enthusiasm and natural talent.  

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Joseph Pool is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen