He had faced enemy fire and the dangers of roadside bombs in Afghanistan. Yet Fusilier Lee Rigby would lose his life not on a battlefield, but on a London street, targeted simply because he was a British soldier. Born on 4 July 1987 in Crumpsall, Manchester, Lee grew up in Middleton, Greater Manchester. Determined to become a soldier, he joined the British Army in 2006 after three attempts, eventually serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Lee became an accomplished drummer in the battalion's Corps of Drums, while also training as a machine gunner. His Army career took him to Cyprus, Germany and ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. In April 2009, Lee deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Operation HERRICK 10. Serving as a machine gunner with the Fire Support Group at Patrol Base Woqab, near Musa Qala, he experienced intense firefights and dangerous patrols through areas threatened by improvised explosive devices. In 2011, Lee joined the Regimental Recruiting Team in London, helping encourage young people to follow the military career he had worked so hard to achieve. On 22 May 2013, Lee was returning towards his Army accommodation in Woolwich when two terrorists deliberately targeted him. As he walked along Artillery Place, he was struck from behind by a car before being attacked with knives. Despite the efforts of those who responded, Lee died at the scene. He was just 25 years old, leaving behind his young son, Jack, and a devastated family. His military funeral took place at Bury Parish Church on 12 July 2013, before he was laid to rest at Middleton Cemetery in Greater Manchester. Remembered by his comrades as a dedicated soldier with a tremendous sense of humour, Lee had served his country in Afghanistan before his life was taken on the streets of Britain. Remembering: Fusilier Lee James Rigby 25225238 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Veteran of Afghanistan — Operation HERRICK 10 Murdered 22 May 2013, aged 25 Lest We Forget. #LeeRigby #RoyalRegimentOfFusiliers #BritishArmy #MilitaryHistory #LestWeForget - @historyofthosebefore