Sergeant Peter Thorpe

Corporal Peter Thorpe, Royal Signals, was born on 3 January 1979 and lived in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Corporal Thorpe joined the Army in August 1995 as an apprentice tradesman at Harrogate and went on to complete his communications training at the Royal School of Signals at Blandford, Dorset. He was then posted to 216 Parachute Signal Squadron in the 5th Airborne Brigade.

There he went on to successfully qualify as a military parachutist, fully embraced his role as an airborne communicator and completed his first tour of Afghanistan in 2002. He was then posted on a two-year tour to Northern Ireland. Subsequently, returning to the UK mainland in January 2006 to prepare for his second operational tour in Afghanistan.

Corporal Thorpe was a keen sportsman, turning his hand to a wide variety of pursuits, as well as being an Army Physical Training Instructor. He was a well-respected member of the Squadron whose outstanding trade and soldiering skills combined with his great sense of humour endeared him to all.

Corporal Thorpe and Lance Corporal Hashmi, from the 3 PARA Battlegroup, were killed following an incident in Sangin, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan

His Commanding Officer said

"Corporal Thorpe was a highly motivated, talented and tremendously popular soldier who constantly inspired those around him whatever the situation. A gifted instructor, he had acquired a huge range of military skills and qualifications and was happiest when passing on this knowledge."

"He had recently been selected for promotion to Sergeant and was keen to work in an Army Training Regiment. He undertook his role as a patrol commander with absolute professionalism in support of the 3 PARA Battlegroup in the demanding environment of Afghanistan. An outstanding man, his sad loss and that of Lance Corporal Hashmi is felt by us all."

Note: Cpl Thorpe had been selected for promotion to sergeant and received the rank posthumously after being repatriated to the UK.

Image and text courtesy of the MOD