Sunderland, England, UK
Army, SGT, 1st Btn Coldstream Guards
11/30/2009, Afghanistan, Babaji district
Sergeant John Amer was an excellent soldier. His profession was ingrained in him and from the start of his career he showed nothing short of enormous promise.
A Sunderland man, he enlisted on 17 October 1996, and after training joined Number 2 Company of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, based at that time in Munster, Germany, as part of an Armoured Infantry Battle Group. After cutting his teeth in the armoured world he moved with the battalion back to Windsor in 1998 to experience his first of many state ceremonial occasions and public duties.
At the end of the year he deployed with his company to the Falkland Islands to conduct a four-month tour. The tempo of life was fast and he learnt quickly. At such an early stage of his career he quickly marked out his plot as a future Non-Commissioned Officer.
He was posted to train recruits in Pirbright and after returning from there he passed the Platoon Sergeants’ Battle Course before taking over his platoon, once again in Number 1 Company. It was with this platoon that he deployed to Afghanistan in early October 2009.
Sergeant Amer was a huge personality and a natural soldier. He was loved by his men, respected by his seniors, and cherished by all. Whether on parade at Buckingham Palace, teaching recruits in training, socialising in the mess or, most recently, training his platoon and leading his multiple on complex counter-insurgency operations, Sgt Amer was the consummate professional. He was the epitome of a modern, caring, intelligent and hugely courageous Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and he was forever a Coldstreamer.
Sergeant Amer sadly died from wounds sustained as a result of an explosion that happened in the Babaji area of central Helmand province on Monday 30 November 2009.
It was fitting that Sergeant Amer died saving the life of one of his men, for it was for them that he served. Sergeant Amer will be missed forever and remembered for the many happy times.
The feeling of loss being experienced by his comrades is huge but nothing in comparison to his beloved wife Sue and his daughter Lisa, who are now coming to terms with their loss at this incredibly sensitive and difficult time.
Acting Sergeant Amer’s widow, Mrs Sue Amer, paid the following tribute:
“I am devastated by the loss of my loving husband John. I have lost my true love, my heart has been broken. The whole world should know that John was the best father that our daughter could have wished for.
“This cruel world has taken a hero who touched the hearts of everyone he met, a very special man who brought joy and laughter. The Army was John’s world, he was mine. He was my best friend, the pain of losing him is overwhelming.”
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