LEE RIGBY: A TRUE HERO

ABOVE: Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Riggers is what every battalion needs. He was one of the battalion’s great characters always smiling and always ready to brighten the mood with his fellow Fusiliers.

Warrant Officer Ned Miller

24th May 2013

By Richard Spillet

THE hero soldier butchered by terrorists was named last night as “true warrior” Drummer Lee Rigby.

Lee, 25, known to his comrades as Riggers, had served his country ­battling extremists in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

But the devoted dad was mown down and hacked to death by two home-grown fanatics as he walked back to barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, on Wednesday.

He was returning from a Help For Heroes event for a pal killed in Afghanistan.

Lee’s heartbroken family, including his two-year-old son Jack, were described as ­being “in bits” after hearing of his horrific death.

Comrades in the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers described the life-long Manchester United fan as a popular and cheeky member.

Warrant Officer Ned Miller said: “Riggers is what every battalion needs. He was one of the battalion’s great characters always smiling and always ready to brighten the mood with his fellow Fusiliers.”

Lee, from Middleton, Gtr Manchester, signed up in his late teens before ­marrying Rebecca in her home town of Halifax, West Yorks, in 2007. The couple had since split up.

Lee’s parents Lyn and Ian were yesterday at the home of Rebecca’s parents with little Jack, comforting each other.

The soldier’s former brother-in-law said: “They are all inside still trying to get their heads around what has happened. It’s still not sunk in. Rebecca’s absolutely in bits.”

A tearful neighbour in Middleton said Lee had wanted to be in the Army “since he was knee-high”.

After training as a machine-gunner, he proudly stood guard outside Buckingham Palace before being posted to Afghanistan in 2009.

Warrant Officer Miller said: “He was easily identified while on parade by the huge smile on his face and how proud he was to be a member of the Drums.

“He would always stop for a chat just to tell me Manchester United would win the league again. My thoughts are with his family. They will always be part of the Fusilier family. Once a Fusilier, always a ­Fusilier.”

Lee was working as a recruiting officer.

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Taylor MBE, said: “Drummer Lee Rigby was a dedicated and professional soldier.

“An experienced and talented drummer and machine-gunner, he was a true warrior and served with distinction in Afghanistan, Germany and Cyprus.”

Mourners yesterday left floral tributes outside Woolwich barracks.

Notes on the bouquets, most left before Lee was named as the victim, paid tribute to a “hero so savagely taken”.

Local Alfie Swain said: “I’d met him in and out of the Army base itself. Hearing that he’s gone is just destroying. He was a nice man. He was caring, loving.

“I’m just terribly, terribly upset. I just want to burst into tears right now.”