The Sports Journalists’ Association sends its deepest condolences to member Stuart Alexander and his family, following the death of his son, Sam, a decorated Royal Marine, when on active duty in Afghanistan last month.
Sam Alexander was 28, and leaves a widow, Claire, and son Leo, who is not yet one year old.
Marine Alexander and Lieutenant Ollie Augustin of 42 Commando Group were killed by an improvised explosive device. On a previous tour of duty in Afghanistan, Alexander had been awarded the Military Cross.
Stuart Alexander is a veteran sailing writer who regularly writes on the sport in The Independent, Daily Mail and Sunday Telegraph.
In a moving piece in the same newspaper about the loss of his son, Stuart wrote: “Sam’s life has not been wasted, because he was so damned good at what he did. The testimony from that most valuable of analysts, his own peer group, was alpha plus for him, humbling for me. My respect for him far outweighed any pride.
“But, God knows, I loved you Sam and always will. And, if a faraway nondescript patch of rock and dust has claimed your flesh and blood, it can never claim your spirit, never destroy the bonds we had.”