Tributes to training tragedy Marine

By [jking]

TRIBUTES from around the world have poured in for a proud Westcountry Royal Marine who died when a Land Rover overturned during a training exercise.

Jamie Hutton, 23, of Plymouth-based 42 Commando, was killed during the tragic incident at Lulworth Firing Range, Dorset, last Tuesday. Another man is in hospital with serious injuries.

Marine Hutton's family, friends and colleagues yesterday paid tribute to a young serviceman who was proud to be a Marine and was “hard as nails but with a soft heart”.

More than 700 people from all over the world have joined a memorial page on networking site Facebook in honour of Marine Hutton.

Many mourners have posted tributes and pictures in memory of their friend on the site.

Marine Hutton's father Jim – a serving brigadier – his mother Sally and brother Ewan issued a statement, which read: “Our lovely lad, full of the joys of life, irrepressibly vibrant, kindness personified and friend to all has gone – but he will never be forgotten.

“That he packed so much into his short life is a lesson to us all. He lived at full throttle, always on the move, dreaming up his next plan.

“Failure was never an option for Jamie; but when it came, he just shrugged and moved on with a smile. He saw positive from every negative and his charm offensive never disengaged.

“He was a proud Marine, hard as nails but with a soft heart; we all wanted a part of him, and he gave it gladly. We have shed many a tear since his passing but we see and hear him everywhere.

“He touched so many people and we are all glad for that. See ya pal.”

The incident, involving a vehicle carrying five people, is being investigated by the Army's Land Accident Investigation Team and the Royal Military Police.

Marine Hutton joined the Corps in 2005 at the age of 20 and won the Charnock Shooting Trophy during his training, earning himself the nickname of “The Colonel”.

He joined K Company 42 Commando in May 2006, serving in Gereshk, Nowzad and Kajaki in Afghanistan. On his return he excelled on a Royal Marines sniping course and was requested to remain at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone to instruct other snipers before returning to Recce Troop.

Marine Hutton's commanding officer said he will be greatly missed. Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Stickland, of 42 Commando, said: “Marine Jamie Hutton was the type of dynamic serviceman and personality every organisation needs – a surfer, a rugby player, a friend to all and an outstanding operator.

“He will be hugely missed, not only by the tight-knit band of warriors that are Recce Troop but by the unit as a whole. The world was at his feet – marked out as a man for the future with his new-found expertise as a sniper and gaining command of an expert Recce team. His passion for his profession and his lust for life were infectious to all. 'The Colonel' was a force beyond his years.”

Fellow Marines have also been paying tribute to their friend.

Marine Nick Taylor, 20, from Tewkesbury, said: “Jamie, the Colonel, was the archetypal irrepressible marine. He exemplified cheerfulness in the face of adversity, never down, never feeling sorry for himself. He would take any situation by the horns and tackle it full on. He would always step up to the mark when required.”

Marine Jim Down, 23, from Birmingham, said: “After serving with Jamie 'The Colonel' Hutton in K Company in Afghanistan prior to joining Recce Troop, I became good mates with him despite his constant mickey-taking of my accent. He was always cheerful and a good laugh even in the worst situations. Nothing ever seemed to phase him.”

L Cpl Chris Samuel, 25, from Shrewsbury and LCpl John Bentley, 27, from Leicester, said: “After living with Jamie 'Colonel' Hutton for over a year a number of things come to mind: full of life, loud, and easily the biggest character in the flat. He never had a bad word to say, never let anything get to him and always saw the good in people. He was a great friend and even better colleague. He will be greatly missed from all our lives.”

The Facebook site describes the family's difficult experiences in the days following his death.

A news update on the site reads: “We went down to Lulworth [on Thursday] and the scene of Jamie's passing. It was an innocuous piece of gravel track with a small camber and ditch by its side. Nothing to look at, yet it has touched the lives of hundreds of people. So sad.”

Tributes on the site include one from Jack Clouston, from Australia, who wrote: “I was lucky enough to play rugby with Jamie when he came to Canberra and played with Easties for a season. We had some great times together often ending with Jamie cooking the biggest breakfasts I have ever seen. My thoughts are with your family, and you will be greatly missed.”

Matt Hoey, of Portsmouth wrote: “The troop is not the same without you. We will do our duty in Afghanistan, in your name.

“Take care my friend, watch over the lads. Always in our thoughts.”