Sean Thornton, 17, is following in late brother Lee's footsteps and could be deployed to Afghanistan by the end of the year.

The news comes as British forces get ready to pull out of Iraq and hand over responsibility for the Basra area to American forces.

Gunner Thornton was shot and killed while out on patrol in Basra in September 2006. He was 22.

Sean has joined his brother's old battalion – 12 Regiment Royal Artillery.

And the Marton teenager told The Gazette he had no fears joining up.
"Of course it plays on my mind what happened to Lee, but I have no fear about going to a war zone," Sean said.

>> UK ends combat mission in Iraq

"I think about what Lee must have gone through every day and it makes me very proud of him. There is not a day that goes by when I do not think about him.

"Joining the Army had nothing to do with Lee. I just wanted to do something a bit different than go to college.

"Lee served his country and he loved being out there and helping people and I can't wait to do the same."

Sean's passing out parade was held last week at Pirbright Barracks in Surrey in front of proud parents Mick and Karen.

He will now join up with the 12th Regiment for a 14-week training course before possible deployment to the Middle East.

Mum Karen admits she tried to talk Sean out of joining the forces. The family today made public a video diary made by Gunner Thornton in the weeks before his tragic death.

Karen said: "While I'm pleased our troops are set to come home from Iraq, I'm frightened for Sean to be going out there (the Middle East).

When he first went to Pirbright I was hoping he would come home, but he enjoyed it so much. I can't even begin to imagine how it would be out there, I do not know how I would cope without him."

>> Visit our Fallen Heroes mini-site