Sergeant Daniel Lyden

Daniel Lyden was born in Manchester in October 1957, and joined the Army in 1975.

After completion of his recruitment training, he was posted to The 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA), who were stationed in Berlin at the time. He completed tours in Cyprus and Northern Ireland before returning to Depot PARA as an Corporal Instructor. During this time, he was a member of the platoon staff for the successful BBC television documentary The Paras (1982).

After two years with Depot, he returned to 1 PARA in B Company with whom he served until 1985, when he was promoted to Sergeant and joined the Battalion Training Team. Later in 1985, he transferred to A Company, and served as the Platoon Sergeant for 2 Platoon, A Coy.

Sgt Lyden was killed by a mortar tree burst on a training accident during Operation Hardfall in Norway in early 1986. An extract from his obituary notice in Pegasus read: 

'Sgt Lyden is and will be sadly missed by all who knew and served with him. His professionalism, wit and compassion were an example to us all. He leaves a widow, Sheena, and two young daughters, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.

To Sheena, the 1st Battalion also offers its thanks for the Lyden Cup, which she donated in his memory. Sgt Lyden was a rugby enthusiast, and the Cup that bears his name will henceforth be the 1st Battalion's inter-company rugby trophy'.

Daniel Lyden died on 13 February 1986, aged 29 years old.