Family of dead sergeant pay tearful tributes

Daddy is a star now, says hero’s daughter
Pride: Sgt Nigel Coupe’s mother Elaine Freeman and wife Natalie at Fulwood Barracks
Rashid Razaq9 March 2012

The daughter of a sergeant killed alongside five comrades by a huge Taliban bomb told her mother: “Daddy is a star now”, his widow revealed today.

Sgt Nigel Coupe, 33, of 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died in Helmand on Tuesday when his Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up.

His wife Natalie, 28, and mother, Elaine Freeman, 53, paid tearful tributes to the father of two girls, five-year-old Ella and Jasmine, two.

Mrs Coupe, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, said: “Nigel was my husband, best friend and soulmate. He was a loving husband and doting daddy to our precious little girls ... a thoughtful, caring, selfless person. Words can’t describe the loss and hurt we feel.

“Nigel would be touched by all the support we are getting from family, friends and the British Army, in which he loyally served. I also have no doubt in my mind that he would be proud of our children and the way in which they have dealt with his untimely death.

“Our eldest daughter Ella said: ‘Daddy is a star now’. Everyone who knew Nigel would know he has always been a star, the only difference is now he’s shining in a different place.”

Sgt Coupe died on Tuesday with Cpl Jake Hartley, 20, Pte Anthony Frampton, 20, Pte Christopher Kershaw, 19, Pte Daniel Wade, 20, and Pte Daniel Wilford, 21, all of 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment.

The soldiers, who had only been in Afghanistan for a few weeks, were hit by the blast about 25 miles north of Helmand capital Lashkar Gah. The force of the explosion turned their vehicle upside down and blew off its gun turret. Ammunition on board ignited, causing a fierce fire that burned for hours and hampered rescuers.

A Warrior Sergeant in 7 Platoon, Corunna Company, Sgt Coupe was the most senior soldier in the vehicle. His family said he was “fiercely proud” to serve his country and regiment.

Speaking at Fulwood Barracks in Preston, his mother said: “Nigel’s commanding officer said Nigel was simply the best. And he was. He was the son any mum and dad would be proud of — just as myself, his dad and family are. Nigel joined the Army at 17 and, like all soldiers’ mums, I was so proud watching his passing-out parade, seeing the pride in him standing tall, becoming a 1 Lancs soldier — he was well chuffed.

“Nigel served in many conflicts. He went to Afghanistan knowing the risks and prepared his family well— but you never believe it would happen to your family.”

Mrs Freeman added: “This tragedy has left: two little girls without a daddy; a loving wife with no husband; a sister with no brother; a mum and dad with no son; a family with a broken heart. Our hearts go out to all the families who lost their boys alongside Nigel, we feel your pain.

“We have received love and support from friends and colleagues across the world. This has been a great comfort to us, we thank you all. We now just want Nigel back home where he belongs.”

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, telling the BBC they were “very proud of it”.

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