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Thursday, June 19, 2008, 08:00
In a Facebook tribute to her 23-year-old Lance-corporal husband, Sadie said: “You will always be mine. Our children Lilly and Ollie will know how fantastic you were. You won't ever be forgotten.
“I will always wear my ring so people know I'm yours forever. Not even death can part us.”
Ricky who was in the 5 Rifles battalion, was killed as he returned home to Detmold, where he lived with 21-year-old Sadie and their two young children, Lilly-Mae, 15 months, and Oliver, four months.
A spokesman from the Ministry of Defence confirmed the soldier was driving home alone at 4.30pm last Monday when another vehicle forced him into the path of an oncoming lorry. The lorry driver was uninjured, but Ricky died from his injuries.
He had enlisted with the former Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment at 16 and served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and the Falkland Islands. He had also been to Kenya and served on royal duties at Windsor, as well as serving in Iraq during 2006. He joined the regiment's successor, the 5 Rifles battalion, in January 2007.
Commanding officer Major Jake White said: “A naturally larger than life character, Ricky was never happier than when spending time with his young family, particularly if that happened to coincide with time spent in 'God's Country' – Gloucestershire.
“Ricky was qualified for promotion to corporal with a bright future ahead of him.
“The thoughts and prayers of all ranks in 5 Rifles are with Ricky's family.”
His father Trevor Baldwin, 47, said: “I'm very, very proud of him. From a young child he wanted to be part of the Army and as soon as he was old enough he applied to join.
“He was happy to serve where he could get some action and liked to live his life on the edge.
“He didn't like sitting around and was in the process of volunteering to join 1 Rifles to go to Afghanistan with his younger brother.
“He liked cars and motorbikes and was very sporty.
“ He would always try to have a game for Whitecroft FC when at home.
“As a family we're devastated he won't see his children doing things as they grow up. His family are all cut up.”
Ricky's funeral, at a date to be confirmed, will be a full military service at St Mary's Church in Lydney.
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