Lance Corporal
C Squadron
9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's)
British Army
He was part of the the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) Brigade Advisory Group, deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
LCpl Watkins died of a gunshot wound after his team was attacked by small-arms fire during a routine partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army near Gereshk in central Helmand province. The incident is under investigation as he was reportedly shot by a man dressed in an Afghan army uniform.
Aged 24, he was from South Africa and attended school in Woodford Green, outside London, as an exchange student. He worked as a teaching assistant during a gap year, then joined the Army in September 2007 as a Foreign and Commonwealth soldier. After basic training in Winchester, he completed his special-to-arm training at Bovington, before joining his regiment in Hohne, Germany. He served a tour of duty in Iraq as part of a mentoring and training team to the Iraqi airborne forces in Az Zubayr. In September 2010 he completed the Junior Command Course and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011. Respected as a model soldier and natural leader, he showed great potential for an outstanding career. Friends described him as always helpful and a genuine pleasure to be around. A keen sportsman, he enjoyed football, cricket and rugby. He served the garrison community as a lifeguard at the local swimming pool, giving up his time for others.
LCpl Watkins leaves behind his mother Gill, father Rod, brothers Luke and Simon, along with other relatives and friends. His family said, "Paul wanted to join the Army from a very young age. He was proud to be a soldier and was proud of what he was doing; he died doing a job that he loved. He was such a loving and caring son, grandson and brother. He will be very sadly missed by his family and friends who loved him dearly."
A repatriation ceremony was held at
RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire on July 21, 2011.
A full military funeral was held in England.
After a memorial service on August 9, 2011 at St John's Anglican Church in Port Elizabeth, his ashes were scattered in Algoa Bay.
*Sincere thanks to jrrmr910 for the generous sponsorship of this memorial.
Lance Corporal
C Squadron
9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's)
British Army
He was part of the the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) Brigade Advisory Group, deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
LCpl Watkins died of a gunshot wound after his team was attacked by small-arms fire during a routine partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army near Gereshk in central Helmand province. The incident is under investigation as he was reportedly shot by a man dressed in an Afghan army uniform.
Aged 24, he was from South Africa and attended school in Woodford Green, outside London, as an exchange student. He worked as a teaching assistant during a gap year, then joined the Army in September 2007 as a Foreign and Commonwealth soldier. After basic training in Winchester, he completed his special-to-arm training at Bovington, before joining his regiment in Hohne, Germany. He served a tour of duty in Iraq as part of a mentoring and training team to the Iraqi airborne forces in Az Zubayr. In September 2010 he completed the Junior Command Course and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011. Respected as a model soldier and natural leader, he showed great potential for an outstanding career. Friends described him as always helpful and a genuine pleasure to be around. A keen sportsman, he enjoyed football, cricket and rugby. He served the garrison community as a lifeguard at the local swimming pool, giving up his time for others.
LCpl Watkins leaves behind his mother Gill, father Rod, brothers Luke and Simon, along with other relatives and friends. His family said, "Paul wanted to join the Army from a very young age. He was proud to be a soldier and was proud of what he was doing; he died doing a job that he loved. He was such a loving and caring son, grandson and brother. He will be very sadly missed by his family and friends who loved him dearly."
A repatriation ceremony was held at
RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire on July 21, 2011.
A full military funeral was held in England.
After a memorial service on August 9, 2011 at St John's Anglican Church in Port Elizabeth, his ashes were scattered in Algoa Bay.
*Sincere thanks to jrrmr910 for the generous sponsorship of this memorial.
