Tributes to 'True Hero' Brett, 21 ; Brett Died 'Doing What He Wanted to Do'

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TRIBUTES have been paid to soldier Brett Hall (pictured), a 'true hero' who died after being injured in a blast in Afghanistan. Twenty- one-year-old Brett, from Dartmouth was fatally injured in an explosion while in a Viking vehicle on a Combat Logistic Patrol in rural north west Helmand province, Brett's motto on his Bebo social networking account told his friends and family: "The lives of the many outweigh the life of the one." He was flown home from the front line to be treated at the Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham and died there on Wednesday. His family were understood to be at his bedside. It is believed his parents Peter and Sue of Grenville Close, Dartmouth, were taken directly to his bedside when he was flown home and his brothers and sisters followed. Brett's former school, Dartmouth Community College, held a minute's silence for him at 11am yesterday. Head teacher Chris Long, said: "The thoughts of everyone at the college are with the family. Brett's brother and sister are still students here and our thoughts are with them at the moment. "It is really obvious from the ripples which have gone through the college the warmth that students and staff have for him. They will all miss him. "He clearly was a very popular student, very popular member of the community and popular with his friends ." He added: "He was doing what he wanted to do. It is so sad that it has ended this way. A spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "This brave British soldier has made the ultimate sacrifice and his passing is mourned by the whole of Task Force Helmand. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades at this very sad time." Brett worked for 18 months for Sodexho, the company which carries out the catering services contact at the Britannia Royal Naval College .

He worked in both the Junior and Senior gun room during his employment. A spokesman for Fm Sodexho in Britannia Royal Naval College said: "Brett Hall worked with the company as a steward for 18 months before joining the Army. "There are many staff here today who remember him with affection. "We were all devastated to hear of Brett's death from injuries sustained on operations in Afghanistan. and our thoughts are with his family at this most difficult time." Friends on Facebook paid tribute to a 'true hero'. Kimberly Heales wrote on the social networking site: "RIP Brett. Another amazing life taken from us. Bring the troops home already." Beth Ashton Lewis said: "R.I.P Brett. True hero. Will be missed." Rob Lankester writing on the site said: "R.I.P. Brett Hall. Thank you for the memories. Will be sadly missed." Another tribute left on Brett's Bebo page read: "Knowing you 15 years was not enough. You've been such a great friend to me, stood by me through everything. The world was a better place with you in it. "You were always so kind and caring, loving and sweet. One of the best people I know. I'm so proud of you, I can't believe I'll never see you again or your cheeky smile. "You really are a great man Brett, I'm going to miss you and our little chats so much." Jo Evans, assistant headteacher at Dartmouth Community College taught Brett. She paid tribute saying the whole school community are 'quite devastated'. "When he was much younger he was my paper boy," she said. "He was never rude, always on time and with a big cheery smile.

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Tributes to 'True Hero' Brett, 21 ; Brett Died 'Doing What He Wanted to Do'

"He was an absolute cracker. "...

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