25-year-old Drummer Lee Rigby of 2nd battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has been killed in a suspected terror attack in Woolwich on Wednesday. His identity was confirmed on Thursday by the Ministry of Defense.
Rigby was attacked with a machete just yards from the Royal Artillery Barracks. Two men are under arrest in hospital after police shot them near Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday afternoon. According to sources, the suspects including Michael Adebolajo, were known to security services.
Rigby, from Manchester was the son of Lyn, 46, and Phil McClure, 53, had Lee and three daughters, Sara, 24, Chelsea, 21 and Megan. Lee’s parents split up and his kmom remarried to Rigger’s stepdad Ian Rigby, from Lyn’s second marriage Lee’s younger sisters Courtney, 11, and Amy, eight were born.
Ribgy had a 2-year-old son named Jack with his wife Rebecca, they were separated and Lee was dating his soldier girlfriend who was serving in Afganistan. He had served tours of duty in Afghanistan, Germany and Cyprus. Lee Rigby had joined the Army in 2006, and is described as a “loving father to his son Jack” who would be “sorely missed by all who knew him”.
Lt. Colonel Jim Taylor MBE, Commanding Officer Second Fusiliers, paid tribute to a “true warrior” and said:
“He will be sorely missed by everyone in the Second Fusiliers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. Once a Fusilier, Always a Fusilier.”
Captain Alan Williamson said:
“Drummer Rigby or ‘Riggers’ as he was known within the platoon was a cheeky and humorous man, always there with a joke to brighten the mood.”
Reportedly, Rigby had been raising money for the Help for Heroes charity, which helps those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.
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