Corporal Michael John Thacker - 1 June 2012

Corporal Michael John Thacker, from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed in Afghanistan on Friday 1 June 2012

Attachment 2768Corporal Thacker was part of the Fire Support Group manning Observation Post 'Tir' in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province when he was hit by small arms fire. He received immediate medical attention and was evacuated by helicopter, but sadly could not be saved despite the best efforts of medical staff.Corporal Michael Thacker was born on 12 February 1985 in Swindon, Wiltshire. He attended Fairwater High School in Cwmbran, South Wales, before joining 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers in 2004. He deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 4 and then to South Armagh in 2005, before the battalion was amalgamated to become 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh and moved to Cyprus in 2006.

Corporal Thacker deployed on Operation HERRICK 16 as part of Combined Force Burma; returning to Afghanistan having served there on Operation HERRICK 8 and Operation HERRICK 11. He was a larger than life character and was extremely well known to the battalion, officers and soldiers alike. His loss will be sorely felt.


Corporal Thacker leaves behind his wife Catherine, two-year-old daughter Millie, father David, mother Alison and brothers Matthew, Mark and Ashley

Michael was a true character one of the finest soldiers I have ever met and was fortunate to be his Company Sergeant Major- Good man never forgotten.