Tributes to Exeter soldier killed in car crash
Tributes have been paid to Exeter soldier Sapper Kieron Blight, who tragically died in a car crash on Monday evening.
Kieron was a passenger in a car which overturned and hit a tree. He died at the scene.
The driver of the car, a man from the Peterborough area, was taken to Salisbury District Hospital with serious head injuries.
Kieron, 19, was a serving engineer with the 26 Engineer regiment and had just returned from an operation in Canada.
Friends and colleges have paid tribute to the "cheery" soldier who had a "exciting future".
Lieutenant Colonel John Ridge, Commanding Officer, 26 Engineer Regiment, said: “If you were to sit down and list the qualities required of the perfect sapper, they would sum up what we had in Sapper Kieron Blight. He was keen, professional, courteous and bright. Above all, he loved his armoured engineer trade.
“During our recent deployment to Canada, whenever he got the chance, he would race off to clamber all over our tanks and chat to his fellow crewmen: anything to learn more about armour and how to get the best from it
“Never mind how hard things got, he remained good-humoured. A brew, some gentle banter from his mates about how many bunches of flowers he had sent his girlfriend Emily, and chat about his home in Devon – these are the times we will remember”
Major Claire James, Officer Commanding, 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron,said: "Sapper Kieron Blight was a young, cheery soldier who I always found smiling. An armoured engineer and very capable armoured vehicle operator he had recently been selected to attend a cadre for potential junior non commissioned officers. His performance over the summer, on a challenging overseas exercise to Canada had earned him a strong recommendation for promotion which I was happy to endorse.
"Sapper Blight approached his military life with an extremely positive attitude, passionate about armoured engineering he was a fast learner and loved anything to do with tanks. Well mannered and courteous he had engaged with, and humoured, me personally on a number of occasions whilst in Canada. Sapper Blight had a very promising career ahead of him.
"At a very difficult and unimaginably painful time my deepest sympathies go his family and friends, in particular his parents Stephen and Mandy his sister Hayley and, his girlfriend Emily. Sapper Blight will forever be part of 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron."
Captain Luke Irving, Battlegroup Engineer, 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron, said: “Sapper Kieron Blight worked as my vehicle operator on a recent exercise in Canada. From the out set it was clear he was a hard working, intelligent and chirpy individual with an excellent sense of humour. I knew I had a good crewman and the exercise would run just fine.
“Sapper Blight had an exciting future ahead of him; his capable nature had already singled him out to be selected for promotion cadre and I know he would have grown to become an excellent tank commander. My deepest sympathies go out to Stephen and Mandy his parents, at this immensely difficult time.”
Kieron is survived by his parents Stephen and Mandy, his sister Hayley and girlfriend Emily.
A tribute page has been set up on Facebook where friends of Kieron have shared their memories.
Shannon Rose, wrote "R.I.P Kieron, you were always so friendly when I moved into Bridford and like many others I was very lucky to have known such a great guy! Memories will last a long time, just a shame I haven't seen you in a while!!! We will all miss you, far too young to be taken but you will always live on in many peoples hearts! Goodbye and god bless!!!"
William Nowell wrote: “Rest in piece Kieron ️and thank you for representing our country. To any one who has known you, long term or short term. You've done us all so proud.”
Sophié Coombes wrote: “He had a heart of gold, we're all so devastated. He truly was a generally the most kindest boy you could of ever met. Rest in peace soldier, you'll never be forgotten.”
