Cornish family remembers son killed in clash

A family commemorated their son killed in Ukraine and said a “hole” had opened in their lives.

Callum Tindal-Draper’s family said they were informed by the 4th International Legion that the 22-year-old soldier from Cornwall had been killed in action while the foreign volunteer detachment was defending an observation post on November 5.

His father, Steven Draper, said the family was proud of their “brave” son, who knew the risks he would face before traveling to Ukraine in June and said his chances of returning home were slim.

The BBC has contacted the Foreign Office for further information.

State Department advice urged people not to travel to Ukraine while the country is in conflict with Russia.

Mr Draper said the family, who live in Gunnislake, Cornwall, tried to persuade their son not to travel to Ukraine, but they realized it was something he was doing passionately because he wanted to help.

“We begged and begged and begged him not to go,” Mr. Draper said.

“But Callum said ‘dad, I’m not afraid of bullies and what’s going on in Ukraine is terrible and someone has to stand up to these people’.”

His mother, Caroline Tindal, said the family was “so proud” of Mr Tindal-Draper, who previously worked as a carer at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and in the community.

She traveled to Ukraine to visit her son in September and said she noticed him maturing as a person.

“It was such a transformation and he said ‘mum, coming here was the best thing that ever happened to me, I found the person I was meant to be’,” Ms Tindal said. he said.

“He found the person he was meant to be, became that person and lived it.”

He added that Mr Tindal-Draper’s battalion had told the family in video messages and handwritten letters that they had great respect for him and that he was an inspiration to them in Ukraine.

Ms Tindal said: “When we found out he had died there was a hole I can’t describe and it will always be there.

“But knowing that they said he inspired them and called him their little brother because he was the youngest person there, they really were a family unit and that helps us heal and get along.

“That void that I thought could not be repaired is already being filled with the overwhelming love of his family, and that means so much.”

Mr Draper said the void left by his son’s death was “devastating” but he filled it with pride by listening to what his comrades told the family.

She added: “It inspires me to go out and think about what I can do and how I can be so bold and courageous in the things I do.

“As a son, I have the bravest of the brave as inspiration, and that is truly powerful.”

Ms Tindal said the family had not yet recovered Mr Tindal-Draper’s body, but the family planned to bury him in Ukraine.

He said: “He wanted to stay in Ukraine and live in Ukraine, so I think even if we had his body we would bury him in Ukraine; that’s where he found his home.”