EXCLUSIVE By Anne Pickles

Last updated at 08:52, Friday, 27 June 2008

THE mother of fallen Carlisle heroine Sarah Bryant has made a plea for remembrance of her daughter – a consummate soldier, first and last.

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Maureen Feely, 54, described her only child as selfless and accomplished, a skilled Army intelligence officer devoted to duty and highly regarded by her colleagues and superiors.

“Remember her as bubbly, beautiful Sarah, a woman with a smile for everyone who brought pleasure to many people,” she said. “But above all remember her as a brave and wonderful soldier, who served her country well.

“As for me – I have a different memory for every remaining day of my life. The little girl I brought up to be that special person. My pride and joy.”

Sarah’s family and closest friends travelled to RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, on Monday for the homecoming of the 26-year-old corporal’s remains, following her death in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province last week.

She will be buried with full military honours at Wetheral Village Church, where she was married to fellow intelligence officer Carl Bryant two years ago.

Sarah was Britain’s first female soldier to be killed in action in Afghanistan, a distinction which has renewed arguments over women serving on the frontline.

“None of that would ever have occurred to Sarah,” said Maureen.

“And it struck me only as a worry that all unnecessary attention may have overshadowed the terrible loss of Private David Murray, also from Carlisle, who died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan just days before Sarah.

“All our soldiers serve bravely and with purpose. My heart goes out to David’s family in their terrible grief.”

As a child, growing up in Cotehill, Sarah was an outdoor girl with ambitions to be a vet.

“Her father and I ran the cafe bar at Carlisle Airport for a time and during that period she’d chat with the military people who passed through there. It was then she decided she wanted to join the Army. It became her passion.

“She applied to Sandhurst. Her application was deferred for a year because of her age but she couldn’t wait another year so she went to the Army recruiting office in Carlisle, where – it has to be said – her potential was spotted immediately for service in the intelligence corps.

“From that point the Army was her passion and her extended family. She loved every aspect of Army life and knew exactly what she was taking on.”

Sarah swore her oath of allegiance in 2002, a few months before the invasion of Iraq, where she later served in an intelligence unit attached to the 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats.

“Sarah was always a happy but shy little girl,” said her mum. “Her school reports used to refer to her reluctance to participate in class activities, her need to push herself forward, to speak before she was spoken to.

“In the Army she blossomed as a confident, assured young woman with outstanding skills. She knew from day one this was to be her life. She was looking at a long, successful and rewarding Army career. She knew the risks and dangers and she accepted them bravely.

“For that selfless courage and for what she was trying to do in our names, I hope she will be remembered.”

First published at 05:34, Friday, 27 June 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk