Family of Ryan Ward pay tribute to 'true hero' (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Family of Ryan Ward pay tribute to 'true hero'

3:27pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Gazette newsdesk

A FAMILY have paid tribute to their son who was found dead at his home in Kendal this week.

Ryan Ward, 20, who was a soldier with the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

His mum Kathryn, dad Richard and brother Mark said he was ‘a true professional solider’ who will ‘always be a true hero’.

They said: “Ryan was a true professional soldier who loved his job and lived his life to the full.

“He served 2nd Battalion Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment with great honour. He also deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment and served them with distinction.

“During his time in the Army Ryan had shown undoubted loyalty to his brothers in arms, they regarded Ryan as a true esteemed colleague. One of many highlights of Ryan’s Army career was to represent AFC Harrogate in Australia on a rugby league tour, which he was immensely proud of.

“He will be sadly missed by his mother, father, brother, family and friends. He will always be a true hero in all our hearts."

Lieutenant Colonel Neil Unsworth, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, added: “The 2nd Battalion is shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Kingsman Ryan Ward. Our thoughts are with his family and close friends at this awful time.”

There are no suspicious circumstances and the case has been passed to the coroner.