YACF Hero - We will remember 

Ex Cadet and serving soldier Rifleman Sheldon Steel, from 5th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on 27th November 2011.

Sheldon was taking part in a foot patrol to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement and to reassure the local population in Babaji, in the Lashkar Gah district, which is in the Nahr-e Saraj (South) area of operations, when he was caught in the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED). He was airlifted to the field hospital at Camp Bastion where he was declared killed in action.

Sheldon, aged 20, from Leeds, joined the Army in November 2009, and underwent his combat training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. He passed out of basic training in April 2010 and shortly afterwards joined 5th Battalion The Rifles, based in Paderborn, Germany.

During his time with the Battalion he achieved a great deal. Sheldon arrived at a busy time in the Battalion's calendar and was immediately thrust into further training, learning the intricacies of the Warrior armoured fighting vehicle, while developing the closest of bonds with those whom he would later deploy to Afghanistan with.

This training culminated in a six-week, vehicle-mounted exercise in Canada in late 2010. Throughout this testing period he demonstrated that he was quickly developing into a skilled, robust and intelligent soldier, in keeping with the Regiment's tradition of the 'thinking, fighting Rifleman'. This early promise was honed through Afghanistan pre-deployment training in the first half of 2011.

Sheldon’s skills as a marksman, coupled with his mature approach and calm, focused demeanour were harnessed on the Sharp Shooters' course, which he passed with ease. A highly professional soldier he had proven to be one of the stars of his company. He was focused on his career, rightly ambitious, and showed great promise.

Prior to Sheldon joining the Army he served with ‘C’ Company Army Cadet Force for 5 years and 7 months where he again excelled in everything he did. Below are just a few of his many achievements during his ACF career.

Represented NE Region at Athletics. Achieved a B+ on his JCIC. Took part in many Colts Canter. Lead Champion Company team 2008. Was votedTop student on Merlin Cadre at Annual Camp 2008. Represented the County at Bisley.  Represented NE Region at Football, Rugby and Athletics. Achieved the accolade of Top student on the SCIC November 2008, and was truly magnificent when he won the well deserved title of YACF Cadet of the Year 2009.

His drive and ambition to become a soldier and serve his country was inspirational and a true mark of the honourable man he became.

He leaves behind his mother Victoria, sisters Cody and Carys and brother Kameron.

Sheldon Steel's family paid him the following tribute:

"Sheldon was loving, caring and affectionate with his family and we all heard from him regularly. He loved being in the Army from when he was in the Army Cadets to joining 5 RIFLES. He was very fit and ran a marathon in June this year. He won prizes for his soldiering both in training and in a Regimental competition. He had a good sense of humour and frequently joked with us all.

"He was a big lad - all 6 foot 4 in of him - with a big heart. His Nanas had to stand on the wall outside the house to kiss him 'goodbye'. Words cannot explain how much he will be missed by us all”

Ashleigh Craig, Adam Thomas, Paul Bone and Sam Hall - all former Army Cadets with 'C' Company Yorkshire North and West Army Cadet Force and close friends of Sheldon - said:

"Sheldon was a good mate and we couldn't have wished for a better friend. He was always ready for a laugh. He was so keen to better himself and be good at his job. He was kind and had a very honest approach to life. Every time he came back on leave he went mad on fitness and part of him was back with the Regiment. He was so brave and we are all so proud of him. We will miss him a lot."

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  It was with a sense of great shock and sadness that Yorkshire (N&W) ACF received the tragic news that Sheldon Steel one of our ex senior cadets had been killed in action serving his Country in Afghanistan as a member of 5 RIFLES. Sheldon was one of the most outstanding cadets this County ACF ever produced, obtaining the rank of Cadet Company Sergeant Major in C Company, along with a vast host of other cadet achievements.

Sheldon joined the County in April 2006 as a recruit at Thornbury Detachment C Coy after moving to New Carlton Detachment for a short period he returned to Thornbury where he was to remain for the rest of his cadet service. He fitted the Detachment Commander’s dream of an ideal recruit perfectly, a strong fit lad, bright and keen as mustard, who loved training and been in uniform.

These attributes ensured he made rapid progress through his basic training and the earlier stages of the APC syllabus marking him out as a young cadet of great potential. A born leader, his ability and drive were soon recognised and promotion to lance corporal and corporal quickly followed.  After a top grading on his Junior Cadet Instructor course, he passed his 3 star and was promoted to the rank of cadet sergeant.

In 2008 he attended Annual Camp at Warcop where he took part in the Merlin senior cadet training cadre and was presented with the top student award. Later in that same Camp period he lead the C Coy team to first place in the Yorkshire (N&W) Champion Company event, his leadership and sheer determination making a huge contribution to their success. He rounded off a tremendous year by passing his Senior Cadet Instructors Cadre at Strensall as the top student from the two Counties.

The following year he continued in the manner that people had now become to expect from such a committed and gifted cadet NCO. Promoted to cadet Colour Sergeant he then went on to win the coveted title of Cadet of the Year before completing his BTEC Diploma and his final promotion to Cadet CSM. 

In addition to his many military training accomplishments he was also an excellent sportsman and team player who enjoyed a wide range of sporting activities. His natural prowess as an athlete made him a regular choice for selection and he represented the County and North East Region at Football, Rugby and Athletics on several occasions. An accomplished shot he also competed at Bisley and took part in Colt Canter on many instances, leading the C Coy team. He finished his cadet service at the end of 2009, when he went on to fulfil the ambition that he had always longed for and became a Regular soldier.

Sheldon was a truly remarkable cadet NCO and his achievements are impressive but it’s his exceptional personal qualities that set him so high in people’s affection. His fellow cadets many who were young recruits he trained, remember him as a gentle giant who always had time for everybody. A good natured guy who was the big brother they could always turn to for help and advice, whatever the problem he would be there for them.  He kept in touch with his friends in the ACF who heard from him regularly, continuing to visit the Thornbury Detachment whenever the opportunity arose.

When paying tribute to him the Prime Minster said “Rifleman Steel’s courage and dedication will never be forgotten by our nation”. Those of us in Yorkshire (N&W) both adults and cadets who had the privilege of knowing him will remember a young cadet with a big heart who became an outstanding professional soldier. One of our own who went on to serve his County with great bravery and made the ultimate sacrifice doing the job he loved.

Colonel M D Render MBE

Commandant Yorkshire (N&W) ACF.

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Sheldon Steel was a young man who had been an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the Army Cadet Force. He had great strength of character which brought out his natural leadership skills and he was able to prove this in attaining the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major in C Company. He excelled in everything he did, set the pace for others to follow and would not settle for second best.

A pleasant, friendly young man, Sheldon was helpful and considerate to his colleagues.  He will leave a lasting legacy within C Company.

Always ambitious, in 2009 Sheldon won the title of top cadet in Yorkshire winning outright the Cadet of the Year competition.

Sheldon made the ultimate sacrifice for his Country in a career he loved and had always wanted to do; he will be sadly missed by all who knew him in C Company and Yorkshire Army Cadet Force.

M.J.Wootton

Major

OC.C Company

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"Sheldon Steel was a big man in every sense of the word. He was a physically big man, and affectionately known to many of his Thornbury cadet colleagues as 'Silverback' after the mountain gorillas.

He had a big personality to match his size. You knew when Sheldon was about, he was always in the centre of good natured fooling around. Sheldon had a big heart, everyone in my unit knew that they could go to him for help, no matter who they were.

He was given the responsibility of training our recruits towards the end of his ACF career. Those young recruits idolised him. He was the epitome of the Cadet NCO and provided an excellent role model to those youngsters in his charge. They certainly regarded him their hero. Those youngsters are now NCOs in their own right and I can still see and hear him in some of the things they say and do, his influence will live on for many years.

His only ambition in life was to become a soldier. The ethos of service to his Country and its people was overwhelmingly strong within him. His dedication to this end is demonstrated by the fact that he went to train on the quiet with the Royal Marines Reserve in Leeds (thinking no-one knew about it) because he wanted to improve his already considerable skills. He was so proud when he passed out as a trained soldier and always made sure to visit us whenever he got leave.

He kept in touch with his ACF friend’s right up to his death and always came along to Company Socials. It was always a pleasure to see his big smiling face and he was the life and soul of the party. My last contact with him was when he told me that he was gutted but he'd miss the Xmas Social this year because he'd be on tour.

I know it's usual for people to praise those who've passed away. But in Sheldon's case, it's all true. I really can't think of anything negative about him. He has left a huge hole in the hearts of all those who knew him well.

Sheldon Steel, a big man and a true hero. My Detachment and I are determined that he will never be forgotten."

Lt John Potts

Thornbury ACF Detachment Commander

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