Murdered soldier was 'dedicated and ambitious'
12:50pm Monday 9th March 2009 in Where I Live By Elizabeth Pears
'Promising solider': Cengiz 'Pat' Azimkar, 21, was looking forward to deployment to Helmand before he was killed
The Wood Green soldier murdered by the Real IRA "exemplified the charcteristics of a highly motivated young soldier", his commanding officer said.
Twenty-one-year-old Sapper Patrick Azimkar, known as Pat, was one of two soldiers shot dead by the Real IRA on Saturday, March 7.
The young soldier was due to be deployed to the Helmand Provice, Afghanistan, with the 25 Field Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment, before the attacks happened.
He was killed when a number of gunmen ambushed his base in Antrim, Northern Ireland.
A second soldier, Sapper Mark Quinsey, was also killed and four others were injured.
They were outside the front gates of the barracks when a number of gunmen began firing.
Despite the efforts of their fellow soldiers, both died at the scene.
Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis, Commanding Officer 38 Engineer Regiment, said: "Sapper 'Pat' Azimkar exemplified the characteristics of a highly motivated young soldier. He was dedicated, ambitious and full of energy. Always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done he never ceased to amaze me with his cheerful approach regardless of the conditions."
He added: "The regiment and I have been shocked and stunned by the death of this very promising young soldier.
"Our thoughts are with Sapper Azimkar's family and many friends as we all come to terms with this tragic loss."
A close friend and fellow squadron member, Lieutent Corporal Khan, mourned the loss of his "brilliant mate".
He said: "What hurts the most is that he was the first one who came to me and told me that he was going to come home to Fiji with me after Afghanistan. It's hard just to think about Fiji now even though that is my home as Pat won't be there.
"He would have made the Fiji trip a memorable one with his cheeky smile and quick funny comments. What made me laugh and look forward to the trip was when he said that 'the ladies better watch out as Pat will be about'.
"I remember when we were on pre-deployment training, Pat and I were on a roof of a building on stag, it was below freezing, we were soaking and were very tired trying to stay focussed. He thought it would be a good idea if we talked about Fiji, the sun and the sand. He thought thinking and talking about it might heat us up. It didn't, but it did get both of us excited.
He added: "I will miss you my brother. Fiji won't be the same without you.My heart goes out to the families of both soldiers. Rest in Peace. We will always remember you"
Sapper Azimkar joined the Royal Engineers in 2005 and completed basic recruit training and a combat engineer course before attending artisan training as a carpenter and joiner.
He was posted to 38 Engineer Regiment in Ripon, North Yorkshire, in 2007.
In January 2008, he completed a construction task in Northern Ireland and then deployed to Kenya in support of the infantry unit.
Upon his return, he participated in the regimental move to a permanent base in Northern Ireland.
His was looking forward to his first operational tour and the potential of Junior Non-Commissioned Officer training thereafter, his colleagues said.
Sapper Azimkar was a talented footballer and had represented his squadron, and the regiment in tournaments.
He had also attended trials with Tottenham Hotspur when he was younger.
The Real IRA has claimed responsibility for the attacks and the murders are under investigation by police in Northern Ireland.
