THE proud father who watched his younger son follow in his tragic brother’s footsteps to

become a paratrooper has admitted the feeling is bittersweet.

Pte Fin Doherty is on the verge of fulfilling his childhood ambition of joining the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, based in Colchester, just like his older sibling.

Tragically, Jeff, who was known as JJ, was killed in Afghanistan in 2008 when he was 20 after an ambush.

Gazette:

Tragic - Jeff - known as JJ - was killed in Afghanistan

Early on June 12, the battalion was engaged by the Taliban north of their base in Helmand Province.

During the exchange of fire Pte Doherty and Lance Corporal James Bateman were killed.

Fin was aged just six at the time but was devoted to his big brother and vowed to join up despite his tender years.

Now 18, he has been formally handed his brother’s beret after completing a gruelling 19 week training course at Catterick.

Gazette:

Inspired - Pte Fin Doherty

He still has several weeks until he is finishes but is determined to join 2 Para.

Now their father, also called Jeff, has revealed he dreads losing another son to the horrors of war although he is delighted to mark Fin’s achievement.

He said: “I am proud like you wouldn’t believe. He has worked so hard for this.

“But it is bittersweet for me. It does make you think - what if lightning can strike twice?

“That does not take away from how proud I am of Fin and delighted he is able to get his own recognition.”

Mr Doherty said Fin had to work harder to step out of JJ’s shadow and make his own

way.

He said: “Throughout all his training and throughout the whole process everybody has known who he was.

"Everyone has known who is brother was.

“He has had to work so hard and I am proud.

“I really hope he has a successful career.

“It has been 11 years and everyone remembers JJ’s name.”

In the wake of JJ’s death, the family set up a charity named after him - the JJ Memorial Fund.

More than a decade later they are still raising money to help injured paratroopers and supporting the families of those killed in action.

Mr Doherty said: ““It is still going really strong.

“We are doing our best to help people from the Parachute Regiment - at the moment we are working with a soldier who

has a rare muscle wastage disease. It is really rewarding work.”

To find out more, visit jjsmemorialfund.co.uk.