A SERVICE is being held to remember a decade since a brave soldier lost his life.

The Royal British Legion Witham Branch Commemorative Service at the Witham Town War Memorial for Corporal Lloyd Newell, Parachute Regiment.

Lloyd was a pupil at Rickstones Academy when he became a member of the army cadets at the age of 12.

Aged 18 he joined the army to go on to become the top recruit in his training platoon and awarded the medal of achievement presented to him by Dame Kelly Holmes.

He started his career in the Signals before moving to a bomb squad and joining the elite pathfinder platoon of the Parachute Regiment and went on to the rank of corporal.

Later in life he joined the Special Air Service (SAS) as a Trooper.

It was on his second special forces operation in Helmond Province in Afghanistan that he was killed by small arms fire on June 16, 2011.

At the time of his death a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said he was "a man of integrity and principle".

"He was a natural and talented soldier who loved his work and the military lifestyle.

"He personified the great British Paratrooper - selfless, humble, cheerful and utterly reliable.

"He did his duty, relishing discomfort as a personal test, and always acting in the greater interests of the team.

"He attracted friends easily and cared deeply for those around him. His friendship was cherished by all.

"He was devoted to his wife and their nine-week-old daughter. Their family unit had the strength born of true love and kinship. Their loss is unimaginable.

"His vitality was palpable, his dignity natural, his humour refreshing. We salute him."

At the time of his death, Corporal Newell was one of three soldiers to be killed in fighting in just two days.

Corporal Newell left behind a wife and daughter Ella, now ten years old.

Now his nephew, Ethan Williams, 17 is a youth member of the Royal British Legion, trained as a standard bearer in honour of his uncle.

He has gone on to become the Essex County Royal British Legion Youth Standard Bearer.

Ethan will carry the Royal British Legion Witham Branch standard at the ceremony on June 16.