To encourage and fortify relationships between military service members, veterans, their families, their friends, and their Country; to nurture the path of communication for everyone, ensuring that no one is alone or left behind; and proving that we have not, are not, and will never forget the nobility of their sacrifices.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Honoring LCpl Liam Tasker And Theo


Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and Theo
[Picture: via MOD]
Lance Corporal Tasker deployed to Afghanistan on 8 September 2010 as part of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment. Having trained as an Arms and Explosives Search dog handler, he was attached to 1st Battalion Irish Guards on 19 February 2011.
Lance Corporal Liam Richard Tasker
LCpl Liam Tasker was born on the 11 December 1984 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. He joined the Army in 2001 and was originally a vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. His passion though, was always dogs which led to his transfer to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 2007.

A trainer who had a natural empathy with dogs, he was a rising star within the Dog Training group. In 2010, he was posted to 104 Military Working Dog Squadron, St Georges Barracks, North Luffenham, Rutland, part of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment.
From the onset of his operational tour in Afghanistan, he provided strong search and clearance capability for units across Helmand Province. In a short period of time, he had significant success locating Improvised Explosive Devices, weapons and bomb making equipment. His success undoubtedly saved many lives.
Lance Corporal Tasker was an outgoing, jovial and friendly character. He was extremely popular within the Squadron. His easy going, confident approach belied a consummate professional. He always strived to be the best and within the Squadron he was one of the best and he will be sorely missed by all in the Squadron.
He can never be replaced and will always be remembered. He was a fun, friendly, talkative character who always wanted the best from his dog, his troops, and himself.
He leaves behind his mother Jane Duffy, his father Ian Tasker, his brother Ian and his two sisters, Laura and Nicola, and girlfriend Leah.
Liam's family said:
"There are three words that best describe Liam, larger than life. He lit up every room he walked into with his cheeky smile. He was the best son, grandson, brother and friend you could ever wish to meet. He died a hero doing a job he was immensely passionate about. We are so proud of him and everything he's achieved. Words can't describe how sorely he will be missed.
"Sleep well Liam you are forever in our hearts."
"It is a challenge to put into words what Lance Corporal Liam Tasker meant to those he worked with."
Lieutenant Colonel David Thorpe

Girlfriend Leah Walters said:
"LT never met anyone without touching their lives in some way. The amount of support both I and his family have received in the last day alone pays testament to this.
"I am the proudest girlfriend there could ever be and there will be an LT sized hole in my life forever. Sleep well my darling, my soul mate, my best friend."
Lieutenant Colonel David Thorpe LANCS, Commanding Officer 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, said:
"It is a challenge to put into words what Lance Corporal Liam Tasker meant to those he worked with. To his friends he was a mate who could put a smile on your face; he was that man who you wanted around and who you wanted to spend time with.
"To the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment he was a strong, reliable soldier and an expert 'Dog Man'. He genuinely loved the dogs he worked with and was always able to get the best out of them. He was one of the highly qualified Dog Trainers in Afghanistan and had spent time at our training establishment making sure that the new soldiers coming out of training had the best possible skills and experience imparted into them.
"Epitomising the hardworking, determined and ambitious nature of our very best soldiers, he wanted to go to Afghanistan. He wanted to ply his trade in the harshest of environments, to be outside of his comfort zone and he wanted to be successful. He was. The work he did in his 5 months in Afghanistan saved countless lives, of that I have no doubt. He flew the Royal Army Veterinary Corps' flag high; he led from the front and made us proud.
"Lance Corporal Tasker wanted to go far in the Army and he had all of the attributes needed to be a career soldier, with capacity to spare. His ability to command whilst maintaining his sense of humour had already marked him out as one to watch. His loss has hurt every single one of us today. He will be missed. He will not be forgotten.
"My thoughts and condolences and those of the whole Regiment go out to his family and friends."
"Lance Corporal Tasker was one of the best people I have ever known. Kind, with a good heart, he always put others before himself."
Major Caroline Emmett
Please continue to read about LCPl Liam Tasker and his life here at Project Honor from War On Terror News  

12 comments:

Unknown said...

so sorry for the families loss...every soldier is so very important to all of us, especially the dog handlers, you loose your buddy also....I was a wolf owner and recently lost my wolf....it was devastating to me....again so sorry for the loss of a mighty soldier....GOD BLESS THE FAMILY....

Unknown said...

yatae5~ Thank you for your sediments. Each person is precious and valued. I pray Tasker's family finds peace.

j said...

God help us all, when our finest are taken from us by evil.
May God grant consolations and comfort to the family.
May the young warrior now enter into glory and peace, knowing how proud we all are of his life.

@@ yatae 5 -
also, accept my condolences in your loss; for years, we have rescued dogs and taken in dogs from bad situations, and I mourn your loss with you.
Steyu.

Nadine said...

I was brought to tears by the poignant picture and story about Liam and Theo. The loss of these 2 brave warriors is felt universally and their sacrifice and service are honored. My family will keep Liam and Theo's family in our prayers here in America. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for this families loss. It seems that the young carry the load for this world. I know were ever Liam & Theo are today, the are together, the sun in there faces and a light breese is bringing the scent of spring to Theo.
God Bless You
Jack

lz2bits2 said...

On behalf of the Combat Tracker Teams of the Vietnam War - those who took your British Labs with them into the war - we would like to express our profound sympathy to Liam and Theo's family, military family and all who knew them. May your pain be lessened by the knowledge that the "boys" are in a place where there is no pain nor sorrow, and they are forever young together. May God bless you all and wipe the tears from your eyes. With our respect, Susan Merritt - Webmistress/Historian
http://www.combattrackerteam.org

Anonymous said...

May God touch Liams' family,friends and those unknown for the lives he saved. He epitomizes the love of live and those close to him. John Glazier,Iowa,USA

Anonymous said...

Well done lad. Condolences to your family. Thank you for your brave service.

William Boal said...

As a 48 year old man, I was virtually in tears seeing and reading about the wonderful hero Liam Tasker and his dog, Theo.Words cannot remotely do justice to reflect the heroism of this brave soldier.The 2 images of Liam Tasker and Theo shown in the media-one of them relaxing and one with them working will remain in my mind for a long time.

Cindy Norden said...

I was so moved by this tragic news story of Liam and Theo, I could hardly concentrate for the gloom I felt. In a time when Charlie Sheen's theatrics seem to monopolize headlines, our silent heros are kept out of sight. This tragic story should have been headlines in every newspaper across the nation to remind us of of what's really of value in our lives.

Snarls-at-Fleas said...

Poor guy and poor doggy. They will meat on the other side of rainbow.

Neil Walker said...

Few will achieve what Liam did in his short but heroic life. Fewer still will touch as many hearts and move so many of us to tears.

There will always be hope in for the World whilst we have men like this to look up to as an example. To Liam's love ones I send my deepest and sincerest condolences for your loss. You can be very very proud.
God bless you all for your sacrifices.