Son of murdered Clevedon man joins the army

THE son of murder victim Christian Puttock was among 10 teenagers joining the Army at a special ceremony at the Lord Mayor's Reception Room.
The event at the Council House on Friday saw the group of local youngsters swear their oaths of allegiance to Queen and country, while their proud families looked on.
But for Matthew Puttock, 17, the ceremony was particularly poignant – as his mother and grandfather watched and took photographs, they were sparing a thought for Matthew's late father Christian who was murdered in Clevedon in 2008.
The father-of-three was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack outside his home by a man with serious mental health problems.
The 35-year-old Merchant Navy seaman had been standing outside his home in Cox Way when he was approached by a deranged neighbour, David Brown, 35, wielding a five-inch blade. Brown later admitted manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.
On the night of his death, the family had been preparing to celebrate Lisa's birthday with sons, Matthew and Sean, and the couple's new-born daughter Aimee, who was just 17 days old when he died.
Matthew's mother Lisa, 38, who now lives in Nailsea, said her late husband would have been "immensely proud" of Matthew's achievement in winning a coveted place at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
The college allows under-18s the opportunity to join the army two years early, by integrating their basic training with an element of further education.
"His dad would have been immensely proud of what Matthew has achieved," Mrs Puttock said. "I feel certain that he is up there looking down on us today. As a Merchant Navy sailor, he understood what it is to serve your country, and I think he would have supported Matthew in his decision to join the Army.
"As a mother, of course part of me is nervous about Matthew joining-up – you so often see the coffins being brought home from Afghanistan on the news. But the other side of your brain is just filled with pride by the thought that your son is going to serve his country – you have to try to allow that side to take over, and not think too much about the dangers.
"Matthew has wanted to do this for a few years now – ever since he was 14 – so as a parent you just have to support him every step of the way."

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