Family in tearful tribute to murdered soldier

Relatives of Drummer Rigby, 25, described their pride in the young father, who was brutally hacked to death near Woolwich barracks in south east London on Wednesday.

Drummer Rigby married the mother of his two-year-old son in West Yorkshire and was formerly stationed in North Yorkshire.

His family spoke for the first time as detectives continued to question a 29-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, and two other men who were shot by police after charging towards armed officers remained in hospital.

Two women - aged 29 and 31 - have both been released without charge after they were held yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Speaking earlier at the regimental HQ of Drummer Rigby’s unit, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, in Bury, Greater Manchester, his stepfather Ian read a statement from the family.

He said: “What can we say about Lee, our hero? We are so so proud of Lee.

“When Lee was born the family adored him, he was a precious gift given to us.

“Lee’s dream growing up was always to join the army, which he succeeded in doing. He was dedicated and loved his job.”

Drummer Rigby’s wife Rebecca, mother to their two-year-old son Jack, said through tears that he was “a devoted father”.

The family also revealed the last text message that Drummer Rigby sent to his mother Lyn.

It said: “Goodnight mum, I hope you had a fantastic day today because you are the most fantastic and one in a million mum that anyone could ever wish for.

“Thank you for supporting me all these years, you’re not just my mum you’re my best friend. So goodnight, love you loads.”

Mrs Rigby, a recruitment consultant who worked at Hays Construction and Property, in Leeds, at the time of their 2007 wedding. sobbing back tears, added: “He was a devoted father to our son Jack and we will both miss him terribly.”

Asked about the shock of the attack being on British soil, she added: “You don’t expect it to happen when he’s in the UK. You think they’re safe.

“His proudest moments were serving in London on the ceremonials with the drum corps.”

Mr Rigby, 54, at times swallowing hard and breathing in to contain his emotions, continued: “Lee was a man who loved people. He had many friends growing up in Middleton and on army duties all over the world.

“He believed life was for living and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

“Courtney and Amy his younger sisters wrote this for Lee: ‘Rest in Peace Lee, we loved you so much, you didn’t deserve this, you fought for your country and did it well.

“You will always be our hero we are just upset you left us so early. Love you Lee, goodnight.’

“The last text he sent to his mum read, ‘Goodnight mum, I hope you had a fantastic day today because you are the most fantastic and one in a million mum that anyone could ever wish for. Thank you for supporting me all these years, you’re not just my mum you’re my best friend. So goodnight, love you loads.”

Mr Rigby then read out a poem, a tribute to Lee from an unknown poster on a Facebook page.

It read: “You fought bravely and with honour died,

“You leave your family so full of pride,

“Sleep well young soldier, your job is done,

“Your war is over, your battle won.

“Our family chain is broken and nothing is the same,

“But as God takes us one by one,

“Our chain will link again.”

Today searches continued at various addresses - three in south London, one in east London, one in north London and one in Saxilby, Lincolnshire, the former home of a man called Michael Adebolajo.

The second suspected attacker has been named in reports as Michael Oluwatobi Adebowale, of Greenwich, south east London.

A neighbour said that he had always seemed “normal” and was “a nice bloke”.

Drummer Rigby was hit by a car and then attacked with weapons including a knife and a meat cleaver.

He has been formally identified but the cause of his death was not confirmed by a post-mortem examination. An inquest will be opened in due course, Scotland Yard said.

His suspected attackers, who were caught on film in the wake of the murder, were British and of Nigerian descent.

The pair were known to security services, and apparently shouted “Allahu akbar” (“God is great”) as they struck.

Hundreds of bunches of flowers were tied to the railings of the barracks at the corner of John Wilson Street and Artillery Place, or placed on the wall, near where Drummer Rigby died.

Among the floral tributes were small wooden crosses bearing poppies, with “In Remembrance” written underneath.

Cards and messages read “Goodnight and God bless young man”, “Such a senseless act” and “A young man taken so tragically”.

A book of condolence has been opened at Woolwich Town Hall, where opening hours will be extended over the bank holiday weekend to allow the public to pay their respects.

Mayor of Greenwich Angela Cornforth and council leader Chris Roberts said: “Woolwich is a place born out of the Army and it runs through the DNA of the town and many of its people.

“This is a place which has witnessed attacks on our armed service personnel before, not least the terrorist attack by the IRA almost 40 years ago.

“Then, as now, the people and communities of Woolwich have shown their pride in our armed services and respect for the role they play and the risks they undertake.

“Every single soldier and their family can be assured of our enduring support in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.”