The young man from Cornwall claimed that going to Ukraine was the best decision of his life
Callum Tindal-Draper, a 22-year-old from Gunnislake, Cornwall, died while fighting for Ukraine less than two months after his birthday, his family confirmed over the weekend.
Tindal-Draper was killed while defending an observation post at an undisclosed location. He had left his fiancée earlier this summer to join the Ukrainian International Legion, a group of foreign fighters battling for Kiev who are considered mercenaries by Russia.
He told his family that joining the fight was “the best thing that ever happened” to him and that he found his purpose in Ukraine, his mother Caroline Tindal told the BBC.
According to an obituary published by his alma mater, the Military and Protective Services Academy of the Duchy College in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, Tindal-Draper was proud of his family’s history of military service and had a strong sense of duty. He worked for the NHS, the British national healthcare system, after completing his studies, the obituary added.
The young man, known by his call sign ‘Dove’, was killed on November 5. His family said he had planned to settle in Ukraine permanently and that they were considering burying him there.
The British Foreign Office told the media: “We are aware that a British national has reportedly died in Ukraine and stand ready to assist the family in the UK.”
The Ukrainian government is currently facing a shortage of troops after significant losses in the conflict with Russia, as the flow of volunteer fighters has dwindled. Authorities are considering lowering the mandatory conscription age from 25, arguing that this would help meet their quota despite widespread avoidance.
Kiev has consistently rejected any compromise with Moscow. Russia claims Ukrainians are being used as ‘cannon fodder’ in a Western proxy war and that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is complicit in the bloodshed, as he seeks to maintain his power. British Defense Secretary John Healey recently stated on X that the UK remains committed to supporting Kiev “for as long as it takes” to prevail.