The soldier died as a result of an indirect fire attack on Basra Palace.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/BritishSoldierKilledInIraqOn21July2007.htm
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them."
Sunday 22 July 2007
Saturday 21 July 2007
Wounded soldier abandoned by his country
Ashamed and racked with guilt, the wounded soldier abandoned by his country
By Terri Judd
Published: 21 July 2007
Lance Corporal Mark Dryden is racked with guilt and ashamed. The source of his guilt is that he saw a soldier he greatly respected die beside him. The source of his shame is that he is an amputee, in his view, an unsightly embarrassment.
Almost two years after he lost his arm in the roadside bomb, which killed fellow fusilier, Sgt John Jones, in Basra, he has yet to have a working prosthetic fitted. He feels abandoned by the Army, the country, and the government he served for 12 years.
"I have been suicidal for the past 18 months. I once sat on the top of a cliff, drunk in my car, for two hours," the 30-year-old explained without a hint of self-pity. "It is the guilt, the lack of help, getting forgotten about. I just felt life was not worth living. I am infantry and we simply don't leave anyone behind. I got left behind."
He prides himself that he has reduced his 30 painkillers a day to 12, but phantom pains mean he often feels his missing hand is being crushed in a vice. As he puts it with searing regret, he is a serving soldier who can no longer "serve".
When a stranger in his home town of Berwick-upon-Tweed walked up to him and insisted on shaking his hand, thanking him for his service in Iraq, L/Cpl Dryden cried.
All he wants now is enough occupational therapy so he can wash, dress and feed himself single-handedly and for someone to tell him when he will be discharged from the Army so he can move on.
It was not the way he imagined it would be, the day he proudly passed out as a new member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at the age of 17. Twelve years later, he was an experienced junior non-commissioned officer with six medals to his name on his second tour of Iraq, when he set off on patrol with Sgt Jones. Supporters of rival teams, the banter in the "snatch" armoured Land Rover was about football.
But something felt wrong that day, 20 November 2005. For once, no one was willing to talk to them and they cut short the patrol. At an Iraqi police vehicle checkpoint, they were waved on into an eerily quiet street.
Sgt Jones suggested turning back. L/Cpl Dryden, the driver, thought it would be safer to catch up with an Iraqi car ahead. It is a decision that haunts him to this day. They were within a few metres of the camp when the vehicle was hit by two explosions. "I was in agonising pain, screaming at John to wake up, screaming for help. All I could think about was John. I kept asking if he was alive," he said.
He has nothing but praise for his regiment, which kept in constant touch. He speaks with equal admiration of the nurses and doctors at Basra's military field hospital, as well as the "overworked and underpaid" NHS staff at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.
But the moment he left hospital things went horribly wrong. He was forgotten, left at home to sink into despair, as his mother Elizabeth, a 58-year-old factory worker, gave up her job to care for him 24 hours a day. His wicked sense of humour is still evident but he has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - mood swings, paranoia, flashbacks and nightmares in which he can still "taste the burning".
This week, the Ministry of Defence opened a new ward at the military rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, praising its "world-class care". L/Cpl Dryden has a very different opinion. "Headley Court left me for eight months. It seems someone had lost my paperwork," he said.
"How could they not find us when my regimental sergeant major was phoning me from Iraq every two weeks? I was really, really bitter."
The first two prosthetic arms were the wrong size. He still has not been told how to use the third. He contracted MRSA but was not told for two months. On the day he was diagnosed with PTSD, he got into a furious argument with officers, was charged with insubordination, threatening behaviour and disobeying a direct order and threatened with losing his pension.
Headley Court, he said, is "overpacked" with patients without legs or arms, suffering from brain injuries or burns. "I blame the Government for a lack of military hospitals. I don't think they realised how many people were going to be injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The British public would be shocked."
L/Cpl Dryden has started a sports psychology degree. But he cannot get a job as he has does not know when he will be discharged. Nor it seems, does the Army.
This week, as Under Secretary of State for Defence Derek Twigg stood at Headley Court and promised the "best care possible for our servicemen and women", L/Cpl Dryden received a call from the Army's resettlement team asking whether he had been discharged. L/Cpl Dryden, it seems, has been "misplaced".
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article2788667.ece
Friday 20 July 2007
In Memoriam: Afghanistan
As at 12 July 2007, a total of 64 British Forces personnel or MOD civilians have died while serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001.
Of these, 41 are classed as Killed in Action or Died of Wounds sustained from Action (36 are classed as Killed in Action, 5 are classed as Died of Wounds sustained from Action).23 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death pending the outcome of an investigation. The balance of these figures may change as inquests are concluded.
Guardsman Daryl Hickey from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday 12 July 2007. Gdn Hickey was part of a fire team providing covering fire as others in his platoon assaulted a Taliban position.
Guardsman Daryl Hickey 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 27, from Birmingham
Sergeant Dave Wilkinson, from 19 Regiment Royal Artillery died following an explosion during a routine joint patrol with the Afghan National Army in Gereshk, Helmand province on Sunday 1 July 2007.
Sergeant Dave Wilkinson, from 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 33, from Ashford, Kent
Captain Sean Dolan of the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, died as a result of a mortar round in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Saturday 30 June 2007.
Captain Sean Dolan, of 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, aged 40 from the West Midlands
Drummer Thomas Wright, 21, from 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, was killed on Sunday 24 June 2007 when the vehicle he was travelling in was caught in an explosion near Lashkar Gah, Helmand province.
Drummer Thomas Wright, 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, aged 21 from Ripley, Derbyshire
Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes was killed on Saturday 9 June 2007 when his vehicle was hit by an explosion on a patrol with the Afghan National Army close to the town of Sangin in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, aged 20 from Manchester
Lance Corporal Paul "Sandy" Sandford, from 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, was killed while taking part in an offensive patrol with his company aimed at disrupting Taliban forces in the Upper Gereshk Valley area of Helmand Province on Wednesday 6 June 2007.
Lance Corporal Paul "Sandy" Sandford, 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, aged 23, from Nottingham
Corporal Mike Gilyeat, from the Royal Military Police, died on Wednesday 30 May 2007 when the American Chinook helicopter he was travelling in crashed in the Kajaki area of northern Helmand.
Corporal Mike Gilyeat, Royal Military Police, aged 28
Corporal Darren Bonner of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment died on Monday 28 May 2007, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as a result of an incident involving an explosive device.
Corporal Darren Bonner, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 31 from Norfolk
Guardsman Daniel Probyn from 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards died on Saturday 26 May 2007 following an overnight operation in Garmsir, southern Afghanistan.
Guardsman Daniel Probyn, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, aged 22 from Tipton
Lance Corporal George Russell Davey was killed on Sunday 20 May 2007 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident at the British base in Sangin, Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal George Russell Davey, 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 23 from Suffolk
Guardsman Simon Davison, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed by small arms fire in the town of Garmsir on Thursday 3 May 2007.
Guardsman Simon Davison, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, aged 22 from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Private Chris Gray was killed in action whilst fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Friday 13 April 2007.
Private Chris Gray, A Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, aged 19 from Leicestershire
Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Smith from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery died from injuries sustained when a grenade was fired at the UK base in Sangin, Helmand Province, on Thursday 8 March 2007.
WO2 Michael 'Mick' Smith, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 39 from Liverpool
Marine Benjamin Reddy of 42 Commando Royal Marines was killed when his unit came under fire in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province on Tuesday 6 March 2007.
Marine Benjamin Reddy, 42 Commando Royal Marines, aged 22 from Ascot in Berkshire
Lance Bombardier Ross Clark and Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin, both of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, were killed during a rocket attack in the Sangin area of Helmand province on Saturday 3 March 2007.
Lance Bombardier Ross Clark aged 25 from South Africa, and Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin, aged 21 from Lancashire
Marine Scott Summers of 42 Commando Royal Marines died as a result of injuries sustained in a road traffic accident earlier that month in Afghanistan on Wednesday 21 February 2007.
Marine Scott Summers, 42 Commando Royal Marines, aged 23 from Crawley, East Sussex
Royal Marine Jonathan Holland, from 45 Commando was killed by an anti-personnel mine during a routine patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand province on 21 February 2007.
Marine Jonathan Holland, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 23 from Chorley in Lancashire
It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Lance Corporal Mathew Ford, from 45 Commando Royal Marines, in Afghanistan on Monday 15 January 2007.
Lance Corporal Mathew Ford, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 30 from Immingham, Lincolnshire
Royal Marine Thomas Curry died on Saturday 13 January 2007 when elements of 42 Commando Royal Marines were engaged in a deliberate offensive operation near Kajaki, in Northern Helmand, Afghanistan.
Marine Thomas Curry, 42 Commando Royal Marines, aged 21 from East London
Lance Bombardier James Dwyer was killed when the vehicle he was driving struck an anti-tank mine whilst on a patrol in southern Helmand on Wednesday 27 December 2006.
Lance Bombardier James Dwyer, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 22
Marine Richard J Watson was killed on Tuesday 12 December 2006, in Now Zad, in the North of Helmand, Afghanistan.
Marine Richard J Watson, 42 Commando Royal Marines, aged 23 from Caterham, Surrey
Marine Jonathan Wigley died as a result of wounds sustained during an operation on the outskirts of the village of Garmsir, southern Helmand, on Tuesday 5 December 2006.
Marine Jonathan Wigley, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 21 from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Marine Gary Wright died as a result of injuries sustained when a suicide-borne improvised explosive device detonated next to the vehicle in which he was patrolling in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 19 October 2006.
Marine Gary Wright, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 22 from Glasgow
Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead, who was very seriously injured during an attack by insurgents in northern Helmand Province on Friday 1 September 2006, died from his injuries on Wednesday 6 September 2006.
Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead, 1 Royal Irish Regiment, aged 29 from Bearley, Warwickshire
Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch of 1 Royal Irish Regiment died as a result of a contact with insurgent forces in northern Helmand Province on Wednesday 6 September 2006.
Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch, 1 Royal Irish Regiment, aged 21
Corporal Mark William Wright was killed when a routine patrol encountered an unmarked minefield in the region of Kajaki, Helmand Province on Wednesday 6 September 2006.
Corporal Mark William Wright, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, aged 27 from Edinburgh
Private Craig O'Donnell was killed after the military convoy he was travelling in was attacked by a suspected suicide bomber in Kabul on Monday 4 September 2006.
Private Craig O'Donnell, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, aged 24 from Clydebank
Fourteen personnel were killed following the crash of a Nimrod MR2 aircraft on Saturday 2 September 2006. They were:
Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson, aged 38, from Collingham, Notts
Flight Lieutenant Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore, aged 28 from Bournemouth
Flight Lieutenant Gareth Rodney Nicholas, aged 40 from Redruth, Cornwall
Flight Lieutenant Allan James Squires , aged 39, from Clatterbridge
Flight Lieutenant Steven Swarbrick, aged 28, from Liverpool
Flight Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews, aged 48 from Tankerton in Kent
Flight Sergeant Stephen Beattie, aged 42 from Dundee
Flight Sergeant Gerard Martin Bell, aged 48, was from Ely, Cambridgeshire
Flight Sergeant Adrian Davies, aged 49 from Amersham, Bucks
Sergeant Benjamin James Knight aged 25 from Bridgewater
Sergeant John Joseph Langton, aged 29 from Liverpool
Sergeant Gary Paul Quilliam, aged 42 from Manchester
Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts, the Parachute Regiment
Mne Joseph David Windall, Royal Marines, aged 22
Ranger Anare Draiva of 1 Royal Irish Regiment, died during a contact in Helmand Province at 1600 local time on Friday 1 September 2006.
Ranger Anare Draiva, 1 Royal Irish Regiment, aged 27 from Fiji
Lance Corporal Jonathan Peter Hetherington died following an attack on the Platoon House in Musa Qal'eh, northern Helmand Province in the early hours of 27 August 2006.
Lance Corporal Jonathan Peter Hetherington, 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), aged 22 from South Wales
Corporal Bryan James Budd was killed as a result of injuries sustained during a fire fight with Taliban forces in Sangin, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan on Sunday 20 August 2006.
Corporal Bryan James Budd, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, aged 29 from Ripon
Lance Corporal Sean Tansey from The Life Guards was killed in an accident at a UK military base in Northern Helmand province on the afternoon of Saturday 12 August 2006.
Lance Corporal Sean Tansey, The Life Guards, aged 26 from Washington, Tyne and Wear
Private Leigh Reeves was killed in a Road Traffic Accident at Camp Souter in Kabul on Wednesday 9 August 2006.
Private Leigh Reeves, Royal Logistic Corps, aged 25 from Leicester
Private Andrew Barrie Cutts was killed during operations against insurgent positions in Helmand Province on Sunday 6 August 2006.
Private Andrew Barrie Cutts, Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, aged 19 from Mansfield
Captain Alex Eida, Second Lieutenant Ralph Johnson and Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls were killed following an incident involving insurgent forces in northern Helmand Province on the morning of Tuesday 1 August 2006.
Captain Alex Eida, Royal Horse Artillery, aged 29 from Surrey,
Second Lieutenant Ralph Johnson, Household Cavalry Regiment, aged 24 from Windsor, and
Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls, Blues and Royals, aged 27 from Edinburgh
Private Damien Jackson of 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was killed in an incident involving insurgent forces on Wednesday 5 July 2006.
Private Damien Jackson, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, aged 19 from South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Corporal Peter Thorpe and Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi, from the 3rd Para Battlegroup, were killed following an incident in Sangin, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan on 1 July 2006.
Corporal Peter Thorpe, Royal Signals, aged 27 from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and
Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi, Intelligence Corps, aged 24 from Birmingham
Captain David Patten and Sergeant Paul Bartlett were killed on the morning of 27 June 2006 in Helmand Province.
Captain David Patten, the Parachute Regiment, aged 39, and
Sergeant Paul Bartlett, Royal Marines, aged 35
Captain Jim Philippson 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery died in Helmand Province,
southern Afghanistan on the evening of Sunday 11 June 2006 when the mobile patrol in which he was travelling was engaged in a firefight against suspected Taliban forces.
Captain Jim Philippson, 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, aged 29 from St Albans in Hertfordshire
Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock of 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment died as a result of a road traffic accident in Lashkar Gah, Southern Afghanistan on Monday 27 March 2006.
Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock, 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment
Corporal Mark Cridge of 7 Signal Regiment died in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, on 22 March 2006.
Corporal Mark Cridge, 7 Signal Regiment, aged 25
Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry was killed on 29 October 2005, as a result of hostile action in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. Five other members of Sherwood's patrol were injured when they came under fire.
Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood, 1st Battalion, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry, aged 23 from Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
Private Jonathan Kitulagoda was killed, and four soldiers injured, by an apparent suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday 28 January 2004. Private Kitulagoda was aged 23 and came from Plymouth where he was a student. A member of the Rifle Volunteers, a Territorial Army battalion, he was serving in Kabul with the International Security Assistance Force.
Private Jonathan Kitulagoda, the Rifle Volunteers, aged 23 from Plymouth
Sergeant Robert Busuttil and Corporal John Gregory, both aged thirty, died from gunshot wounds at the British base at Kabul International Airport, on 17 August 2002.
Sergeant Robert Busuttil, and
Corporal John Gregory both from the Royal Logistic Corps
Private Darren John George from the Royal Anglian Regiment died on Tuesday 9 April 2002 following an incident during a security patrol in Kabul.
Private Darren John George, the Royal Anglian Regiment
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInAfghanistanBritishFatalities.htm
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them."
Objections to Injured Servicemen's Families
It is often the first port of call for servicemen and women returning home after being wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Soldiers who may have lost limbs or suffered severe trauma spend months rebuilding their lives at Headley Court military rehabilitation centre.
But when an Armed Forces charity decided to buy a £ 1.7million six-bedroom house nearby so visiting relatives would have somewhere to stay, the well-heeled neighbours in Ashtead, Surrey, launched their own offensive.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, which has applied to the local council to to make some alterations at the property, including installing a wheelchair ramp, had been hoping for no objections.
After all, Headley Court had been part of the area for more than 60 years.
But residents apparently do mind. They have flooded the council with almost 100 letters of protest, raising every conceivable objection to the new property being used to house families visiting soldiers.
They claimed 'additional noise' and 'huge amount of additional traffic' would ruin the peace of the private lane and warned that the value of their multi-million-pound properties would plummet.
The families 'would not be welcome', they said, and their arrival could 'destroy the character' of the area.
One resident even objected on security grounds, claiming the house could become a terrorist target, while another suggested wheelchairs would present a fire hazard.
Planners at Mole Valley District Council will consider the case on August 1 but last night serving soldiers made their views clear.
One Army officer recently returned from Iraq told the Mail: "They make me sick. It's just staggeringly selfish.
"Perhaps these people would care to come out to the field hospital in Basra and tell some young soldier having his leg amputated after a [bomb] attack exactly why his family isn't worthy to rub shoulders with this bunch in their Surrey village.
"Who do they think they are? Do they have the slightest clue about the sacrifices-young soldiers make on their behalf every day? Shame on them."
SSAFA spokesman Athol Hendry said: "These people should be ashamed of themselves. This level of hostility is incredibly disappointing and frankly astonishing.
"If you've just got back from risking your life in Iraq, you've lost two legs and you learn your young family are not welcome near the hospital where you're being treated - what kind of a message is that?"
When the Mail tried to speak to residents, none would be quoted.
Residents' association chairman Malcolm Webb, a 58-year-old oil executive, denied residents were 'nimbys'.
"This is just the wrong place and the wrong property," he said. "Some are concerned - in these awful days when these ghastly terrorists go after the softest targets - about the security situation."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=468619&in_page_id=1770
Sign the petition to support our injured troops and their families, show your disgust at selfish indifference of Ashtead residents: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Headley/
Or join the campaign at the Army Rumour Service website:
http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/t=72560/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html
Soldiers who may have lost limbs or suffered severe trauma spend months rebuilding their lives at Headley Court military rehabilitation centre.
But when an Armed Forces charity decided to buy a £ 1.7million six-bedroom house nearby so visiting relatives would have somewhere to stay, the well-heeled neighbours in Ashtead, Surrey, launched their own offensive.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, which has applied to the local council to to make some alterations at the property, including installing a wheelchair ramp, had been hoping for no objections.
After all, Headley Court had been part of the area for more than 60 years.
But residents apparently do mind. They have flooded the council with almost 100 letters of protest, raising every conceivable objection to the new property being used to house families visiting soldiers.
They claimed 'additional noise' and 'huge amount of additional traffic' would ruin the peace of the private lane and warned that the value of their multi-million-pound properties would plummet.
The families 'would not be welcome', they said, and their arrival could 'destroy the character' of the area.
One resident even objected on security grounds, claiming the house could become a terrorist target, while another suggested wheelchairs would present a fire hazard.
Planners at Mole Valley District Council will consider the case on August 1 but last night serving soldiers made their views clear.
One Army officer recently returned from Iraq told the Mail: "They make me sick. It's just staggeringly selfish.
"Perhaps these people would care to come out to the field hospital in Basra and tell some young soldier having his leg amputated after a [bomb] attack exactly why his family isn't worthy to rub shoulders with this bunch in their Surrey village.
"Who do they think they are? Do they have the slightest clue about the sacrifices-young soldiers make on their behalf every day? Shame on them."
SSAFA spokesman Athol Hendry said: "These people should be ashamed of themselves. This level of hostility is incredibly disappointing and frankly astonishing.
"If you've just got back from risking your life in Iraq, you've lost two legs and you learn your young family are not welcome near the hospital where you're being treated - what kind of a message is that?"
When the Mail tried to speak to residents, none would be quoted.
Residents' association chairman Malcolm Webb, a 58-year-old oil executive, denied residents were 'nimbys'.
"This is just the wrong place and the wrong property," he said. "Some are concerned - in these awful days when these ghastly terrorists go after the softest targets - about the security situation."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=468619&in_page_id=1770
Sign the petition to support our injured troops and their families, show your disgust at selfish indifference of Ashtead residents: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Headley/
Or join the campaign at the Army Rumour Service website:
http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/t=72560/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html
Three UK Iraq servicemen killed
Three RAF servicemen have been killed in a mortar attack in Basra, southern Iraq, says the Ministry of Defence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6907641.stm
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6907641.stm
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them."
Thursday 19 July 2007
In Memoriam
This being the first post of Support Our Troops UK, it seems only right that we highlight the real cost of serving your nation in war time. To that end we wish to give names to the statastics.
The following is a list of UK Military and Civilian personnnel killed on operations in Iraq between the start of combat operations in 2003 and 31 December 2006:
Sergeant Graham Hesketh, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed on Thursday 28 December 2006 during a routine patrol in Basra City.
Sergeant Graham Hesketh, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 35 from Liverpool
Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth, from the Parachute Regiment, died following a planned search and detention operation in Basra City, on Friday 24 November 2006.
Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth, the Parachute Regiment
Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott of the Intelligence Corps, Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines were killed in an attack on a Multi-National Forces boat patrol on the Shatt Al-Arab waterway in Basra city, on Sunday 12 November 2006.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, aged 35 from Wellingborough
Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, Intelligence Corps, aged 34 from Ipswich
Corporal Ben Nowak, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 27 from Liverpool
Marine Jason Hylton, 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, aged 33 from Burton on Trent
Kingsman Jamie Lee Hancock of 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained during small arms fire against a Coalition Forces Base in Basra on Monday 6 November 2006.
Kingsman Jamie Lee Hancock, 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 19 from Wigan
Lieutenant Tom Tanswell of 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery died as a result of a road traffic accident just outside Shaibah Logistics Base, near Basrah, on Friday 27 October 2006.
Lieutenant Tom Tanswell, 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regt Royal Artillery, aged 27 from London
Lance Corporal Dennis Brady died as a result of wounds received from a mortar round fired at his base in northern Basra on the afternoon of Sunday 1 October 2006.
Lance Corporal Dennis Brady, Royal Army Medical Corps, aged 37 from Barrow-in-Furness
Gunner Lee Thornton, of 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, died on Thursday 7 September 2006 as a result of injuries sustained in a shooting incident in the town of Al Qurna, Iraq on Tuesday 5 September 2006.
Gunner Lee Thornton, 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 22 from Blackpool
Two British soldiers were killed on Monday 4 September 2006 near the town of Ad Dayr, north of Basrah City when their patrol was subject to an attack by a roadside bomb and small arms fire.
Gunner Samuela Vanua, aged 27 from Fiji, and
Gunner Stephen Robert Wright, aged 20 from Preston, Lancashire, both from 58 (Eyre's)
Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery
Corporal Matthew Cornish of 1st Battalion the Light Infantry died as a result of wounds sustained during a mortar attack on 1 August 2006.
Corporal Matthew Cornish, of 1 LI killed in Iraq, aged 29 from Yorkshire
Corporal John Johnston Cosby died on Sunday 16 July 2006 as a result of gunshot wounds following an operation by British Forces to apprehend a key terrorist leader and accomplice in a suburb of North Basra.
Corporal John Johnston Cosby, 1st Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry (1DDLI), aged 28 from Belfast
Two Soldiers from the Queen's Dragoon Guards were killed in an attack by an improvised explosive device in Basra on 28 May 2006.
Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall, aged 26 from Battersea, south London, and
Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly, aged 27 from Runcorn, both from the Queen's Dragoon Guards
Private Joseva Lewaicei and Private Adam Morris, of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb in Basra City, Southern Iraq, on 13 May 2006.
Private Joseva Lewaicei, aged 25 from Lautoka, Fiji, and
Private Adam Morris, aged 19 from Leicester, both from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment
Five personnel died when a Lynx helicopter crashed in Basra City on Saturday 6 May 2006.
Wing Commander John Coxen RAF, aged 47 from Liverpool
Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman, Fleet Air Arm, aged 40
Captain David Dobson, Army Air Corps, aged 27
Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill RAF, aged 32 from Canterbury
Marine Paul Collins, aged 21
Lieutenant Richard Palmer of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards died from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb attack on 15 April 2006.
Lieutenant Richard Palmer, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, aged 27
Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment were killed in Al Amarah on Tuesday 28 February 2006.
Captain Richard Holmes, aged 28, and
Private Lee Ellis, aged 23, both from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
Trooper Carl Smith of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) died on 2 February 2006, as a result of a vehicle accident whilst on operations in Abu Al Khasib, south of Basra, Iraq.
Trooper Carl Smith, 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's), aged 23 from Kettering
Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard, from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, died from injuries sustained as a result of an explosion on 31 January 2006, in Um Qasr, Iraq. Corporal Pritchard was commanding the lead Snatch Landrover in a three-vehicle convoy when the incident occured.
Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, aged 21
Lance Corporal Allan Douglas was shot and mortally wounded whilst on a routine patrol in Al Amarah, Iraq on 30 January 2006. Despite the best efforts of his comrades and the medical teams he later died of his wounds.
Lance Corporal Allan Douglas, Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), aged 22 from Aberdeen
Sergeant John Jones of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers died on 20 November 2005 as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb at approximately 1230 hrs local time in Basra, Iraq. He was on a routine patrol as the commander when the incident occurred.
Sergeant John Jones, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged 31, from Castle Bromwich, Birmingham
Sergeant Chris Hickey of 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb at approximately 2320 hrs local time in Basra, Iraq, on Tuesday 18 October 2005.
Sergeant Chris Hickey, 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards
The body of Captain Ken Masters, aged 40 was discovered in his accommodation in Waterloo Lines, Basra, Iraq on Saturday 15 October 2005.
Captain Ken Masters, Royal Military Police, aged 40
At approximately 1100 hrs local time on 11 September 2005, an armoured SNATCH landrover was attacked in Basrah City by an improvised explosive device. Major Matthew Bacon was killed in the explosion. Three other British soldiers, also travelling in the vehicle, were seriously injured.
Major Matthew Bacon, Intelligence Corps, aged 34 from London
On the morning of 5 September 2005, 20 year old Fusilier Donal Anthony Meade, from Plumstead in South East London, and 22 year old Fusilier Stephen Robert Manning, from Erith in Kent, died as a result of wounds sustained during a patrol near Az Zubayr, Basrah province, Iraq.
Fusilier Donal Anthony Meade, aged 20 from Plumstead in South East London, and
Fusilier Stephen Robert Manning, aged 22 from Erith in Kent both from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, Private Leon Spicer and Private Phillip Hewett of C Company, The 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment were killed when a patrol of three armoured Snatch Land-Rovers was engaged by an Improvised Explosive Device in the early hours of Saturday morning 16 July 2005 in Al Amarah.
Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, aged 26 from Nuneaton,
Private Leon Spicer, aged 26 from Tamworth, and
Private Phillip Hewett, aged 21 from Tamworth, all from the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment
Signaller Paul William Didsbury, a soldier with 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), died at Basra on the morning of Wednesday 29 June 2005. He was serving on a roulement tour with the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq).
Signaller Paul William Didsbury, 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), aged 18
Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury of The King's Royal Hussars died in the early hours of Sunday 29 May 2005, during an incident to the South of Al Amarah, Iraq.
Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury, The King's Royal Hussars, aged 21 from East Riding, Yorkshire
Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield died during the early hours of Monday 2 May 2005 as a result of wounds sustained during a routine patrol in Al Amarah, Iraq.
Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield, 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, aged 24 from Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A British soldier was found dead in his accommodation at Basrah Air Station on Monday 28 March 2005. An investigation is underway, and his death is not thought to have been the result of hostile action.
Private Mark Dobson, Tyne-Tees Regiment, aged 41 from County Durham
An RAF C-130K Hercules crashed 30 kilometres north-west of Baghdad on Sunday 30 January 2005 at approximately 1635 local time. The aircraft was on a flight between Baghdad International Airport and Balad airbase. Ten UK Service personnel are missing believed killed; nine from the Royal Air Force and one from the Army. Their repatriation to RAF Lyneham commenced on the afternoon of Monday 7 February 2005, being flown out from Basrah with full honours.
Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, Headquarters Strike Command, aged 39
Flight Lieutenant David Stead, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 35 from Yorkshire
Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 25
Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 35
Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 42
Chief Technician Richard Brown, RAF Lyneham, aged 40
Flight Sergeant Mark Gibson, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 34
Sergeant Robert O'Connor, RAF Lyneham, aged 38
Corporal David Williams, RAF Lyneham, aged 37
Acting Lance Corporal Steven Jones, Royal Signals, aged 25 from Fareham
The findings of the Board of Inquiry into the loss of RAF Hercules XV179 were published on 8 December 2005:
Conclusions of the inquiry into the loss of RAF Hercules XV179 in Iraq published
Findings of the Board of Inquiry into the loss of RAF Hercules XV179
Military Aircraft Accident Summary - RAF Hercules XV179
The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, said on Monday 31 January 2005:
"It is with great regret that I can confirm that nine Royal Air Force personnel and one soldier are missing believed killed in yesterday's crash of an RAF C-130 Hercules in Iraq. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and all the Armed Forces, I should like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of these servicemen.
"The aircraft was on a flight between Baghdad International Airport and Balad airbase when it crashed. UK and US forces have secured the crash site, and are now recovering the bodies, and attempting to ascertain the cause of the crash. We are aware of reports that the aircraft may have been shot down, but we are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete.
"The deaths of these Servicemen are especially poignant on a day when Iraqis were able to enjoy the freedom of democratic elections for the first time in many years.
"I can only echo the sentiment of the Prime Minister in recognising the sacrifice of these Servicemen."
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Lyneham, paid a private visit to the station on 1 February to express her condolences to members of 47 Squadron and the Engineering Wing, and speak with personnel who are providing support to the bereaved families.
A British soldier was found dead from a gunshot wound at Shaibah Logistic Base on Sunday 26 December 2004. Hostile action is not thought to be responsible. The Royal Military Police investigation continues, but initial inquiries do not suggest suspicious circumstances.
Sergeant Paul Connolly, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, aged 33 from Crawley in West Sussex
At 1830 local on Monday 8 November 2004, a Warrior armoured vehicle from the Black Watch Battle Group was hit by a roadside bomb north of Camp Dogwood. The Warrior left the road, its wheels destroyed on one side, and one soldier was killed and two others injured - neither seriously. The injured men were taken by a US helicopter medevac team to a military hospital in Baghdad; and the damaged Warrior was subsequently recovered to Camp Dogwood.
Private Pita Tukutukuwaqa, The Black Watch, aged 27 from Fiji
Three British soldiers were killed, and others injured, in a suicide car-bomb attack on a vehicle check-point within the Black Watch area of operations on Thursday 4 November 2004. An Iraqi interpreter was also killed, and eight soldiers were wounded.
Sergeant Stuart Gray, The Black Watch, aged 31 from Dunfermline, Fife
Private Paul Lowe, The Black Watch, aged 19 from Fife
Private Scott McArdle, The Black Watch, aged 22 from Glenrothes
Lieutenant-Colonel James Cowan, commanding the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, said at Camp Dogwood on Friday 5 November 2004:
"It is my sad duty to report the death of three of my soldiers. At 1300 on 4 November, a patrol from D Company, the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was conducting a Vehicle Check Point in an area east of the Euphrates. At this time, a suicide bomber drove his vehicle at the soldiers, detonating the device. The troops then came under sustained mortar fire. Three soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed, and eight soldiers wounded. Sergeant Stuart Gray, Private Paul Lowe, and Private Scott McArdle were all killed instantly, as was the patrol's interpreter, whose name cannot be released for security reasons.
"For a close-knit family such as the Black Watch, this is indeed a painful blow. All three of the soldiers were our friends, but as we mourn their deaths, so we remember their lives and give thanks to their contribution to the life of our Regiment. The interpreter had been with the Black Watch since our arrival in Iraq, and had become a friend to the soldiers. He had volunteered to come north with us, and had delayed his wedding, which was to have taken place on the day of his death. Stuart Gray was a Sergeant of great experience in the Mortar Platoon; Paul Lowe was a talented drummer in the Pipes and Drums; and Scott McArdle was a rifleman in the elite Reconnaissance Platoon. We will miss them as brothers-in-arms, and extend our sympathy and love to their families. The whole of the Black Watch is saddened by this loss. But while we fell this blow most keenly, we will not be deterred from seeing our task through to a successful conclusion."
Major Lindsay MacDuff, the Officer Commanding the Battalion's Rear Party at Warminster, said on Friday 5 November 2004:
"The Black Watch has always been a close-knit family, and the news that three of our soldiers were tragically killed while serving in Iraq is keenly felt by all ranks and their families. All are left saddened by the news that we have lost three friends.
"The men of the Black Watch are determined to continue with their operational tasks in Iraq. In the words from a key passage of the Regimental Collect, "We of the Black Watch will stand fast in the faith and be strong" at this time, both here with the families, and with the men on operations.
"The Army and the Black Watch have a robust and coordinated welfare structure that is designed to meet the needs of those affected by the incident yesterday. We would ask the media to keep their distance and give us a chance to grieve and come to terms with our loss at what is a difficult time."
A British soldier was found dead at a military base in Basrah on the morning of Sunday 31 October 2004. The investigation into the death is ongoing, but it is not believed to be the result of any hostile act.
Staff Sergeant Denise Michelle Rose, Royal Military Police, aged 34 from Liverpool
A soldier from The Black Watch died, and a further three suffered minor injuries and shock, in a road traffic accident in North Babil province on Friday 29 October 2004.
Private Kevin McHale, The Black Watch, aged 27 from Lochgelly in Fife
Two British soldiers died following the ambush of a military convoy south-west of Basrah on Tuesday 28 September 2004. An armoured Land Rover was badly damaged, and as troops sought to extract the casualties, they came under small arms fire.
Corporal Marc Taylor, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, aged 27 from Ellesmere Port
Gunner David Lawrence, Royal Artillery, aged 25 from Wallsall
A British soldier died in a road traffic accident near Al Amarah on Friday 10 September 2004.
Fusilier Stephen Jones, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, aged 22 from Denbeigh
A British soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with insurgents in Basrah on Tuesday 17 August 2004.
Lance Corporal Paul Thomas, The Light Infantry, aged 29 from Welshpool
A British soldier was killed and another seriously injured by an improvised explosive device attack in Basrah on Thursday 12 August 2004.
Private Marc Ferns, The Black Watch, aged 21 from Glenrothes in Fife
A soldier was killed, and several others were injured, in an attack on British vehicles in Basrah on Monday 9 August 2004.
Private Lee O'Callaghan, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, aged 20 from London
A British soldier was killed in an accident at Al Amarah on Wednesday 4 August 2004.
Private Christopher Rayment, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, aged 22 from London
A British airman was killed when an RAF Puma helicopter suffered an accident at Basrah International Airport on Monday 19 July 2004.
Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover, 33 Squadron RAF, aged 30
A British soldier was killed, and two injured, in an improvised explosive device attack on British vehicles in Basrah on the morning of Monday 28 June 2004.
Fusilier Gordon Gentle, Royal Highland Fusiliers, aged 19 from Glasgow
A British soldier was fatally injured in a vehicle accident at Shaibah Logistics Base on the morning of Thursday 12 February 2004.
Corporal Richard Ivell, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, aged 29 from near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
A soldier died in a tragic accident in Basrah on Saturday 31 January 2004.
Sapper Robert Thomson, Royal Engineers, aged 22 from West Lothian
A British soldier was killed, and another injured, in a road traffic accident at Al Amarah on Wednesday 21 January 2004.
Rifleman Vincent Windsor, Royal Green Jackets, aged 23 from Oxfordshire
A British Serviceman died following a tragic incident on a training range near Basrah on the morning of Wednesday 7 January 2004.
Lance Corporal Andrew Craw, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, aged 21 from Clackmannanshire
Two British soldiers were killed in a road traffic accident in Baghdad early on Thursday 1 January 2004.
Major James Stenner, Welsh Guards, aged 30 from Monmouthshire
Sergeant Norman Patterson, Cheshire Regiment, aged 28 from Staffordshire
A British Serviceman was killed in a road traffic accident in Basrah on Thursday 6 November 2003.
Private Ryan Thomas, Royal Regiment of Wales, aged 18 from Resolven, near Neath in Glamorgan.
A Royal Marines NCO was killed by hostile fire during an operation on Friday 31 October 2003.
Corporal Ian Plank, Royal Marines, aged 31 from Poole
A Territorial Army soldier died in a tragic incident on Tuesday 23 September 2003 whilst serving at Shaibah near Basrah.
Sergeant John Nightingale, 217 Transport Squadron, aged 32 from Leeds
A British soldier was killed and another wounded in an incident in Ali As Sharqi in southern Iraq on Wednesday 27 August 2003.
Fusilier Russell Beeston, 52nd Lowland Regiment, aged 26 from Govan
Three soldiers from the Royal Military Police were killed, and one seriously wounded, during an incident in central Basrah on the morning of Saturday 23 August 2003.
Major Matthew Titchener, 150 Provost Company, aged 32 from Southport, Merseyside
Company Sergeant Major Colin Wall, 150 Provost Company, aged 34 from Crawleyside, County Durham
Corporal Dewi Pritchard, 116 Provost Company, aged 35 from Bridgend
The senior RMP officer serving in Basrah, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Warren, said:
"I am deeply saddened by this tragic event. My thoughts, and those of the men and women of the Royal Military Police, are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. I hope that they will be given the space to grieve.
"These soldiers have been a credit to the RMP and have made a significant contribution to the rebuilding of the local police force in the region. This incident will not deter us from our mission and we will continue to work closely with our Iraqi colleagues to seek out those responsible for this criminal act and bring them to justice."
Brigadier Maurice Nugent, the Provost Marshal for the British Army and professional head of the Royal Military Police, said on Sunday 24 August 2003:
"The impact of yesterday's tragedy in Basrah, where three men of the Royal Military Police were killed, is only now beginning to be felt. The thoughts of all past and present members of the Royal Military Police are with the families. All three soldiers had young families and we will be there for them over the coming days and weeks. The RMP are one of the key players in the efforts to reform and resurrect the civil police in Iraq, and I am proud of the role played in this by Corporal Dewi Pritchard, from 116 Provost Company, West Bromwich, and Warrant Officer Colin Wall and Major Matthew Titchener, who were both from 150 Provost Company in Catterick. This essential work will continue beyond this tragedy."
A British serviceman was killed, and two wounded, during a bomb attack on a military ambulance in Basrah on Thursday 14 August 2003.
Captain David Jones, Queen's Lancashire Regiment, aged 29 from Louth in Lincolnshire
A Territorial Army soldier died on Wednesday 13 August 2003 in southern Iraq. The cause of his death is under investigation but was not the result of hostile action.
Private Jason Smith, 52nd Lowland Regiment, aged 32 from Hawick
An Army officer collapsed and died on Friday 18 July 2003 in southern Iraq.
Captain James Linton, 40 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, aged 43 from Warminster
Six Royal Military Policemen were killed in an incident at Al Majar Al Kabir on Tuesday 24 June 2003. The Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon MP, updated the House of Commons on Wednesday 2 July 2003 on the information available concerning this incident, and another in the same area which resulted in Service personnel sustaining wounds.
The six Royal Military Policemen who died were:
Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, aged 41 from Chessington
Corporal Russell Aston, aged 30 from Swadlincote
Corporal Paul Long, aged 24 from Colchester
Corporal Simon Miller, aged 21 from Washington, Tyne & Wear
Lance-Corporal Benjamin Hyde, aged 23 from Northallerton in Yorkshire
Lance-Corporal Thomas Keys, aged 20 from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala in Wales
The commanding officer of 156 Provost Company, Major Bryn Parry-Jones, said:
The loss of six soldiers from such a small, tight-knit unit as 156 Provost Company clearly comes as a dreadful shock to us all, not only the friends and families of those killed, but also all those in the Royal Military Police who knew and worked with them.
All these men were highly professional Soldiers and Policemen. Their deaths in action underlines the challenging and difficult operations that the RMP are asked to undertake both in peace and times of conflict.
From the oldest, aged 41, to the youngest, aged 20, these soldiers had between them a wealth of operational experience and distinguished service. You will understand that the circumstances surrounding this dreadful incident are still being investigated. At this time, our priority is giving all the support we can to the families and friends who are having to cope with the loss of loved ones.
We ask our men and women to risk the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, and it is the sad truth that sometimes that sacrifice comes to pass.
All six soldiers were extremely popular and well liked within the unit and they will be sadly missed by all of us.A Board of Inquiry was convened following the deaths of the six Royal Military Policemen at Majarr al Kabir on 24 Jun 03. To see the findings of the report click here
A civilian member of the Defence Fire Service died in hospital in the UK on Thursday 22 May 2003, having fallen ill in the Gulf.
Mr Leonard Harvey, aged 55, based at Wattisham in Suffolk
An RAF Policeman died in Kuwait on Monday 19 May 2003, believed to be from natural causes.
Corporal David Shepherd, Royal Air Force Police, aged 34
An RAF Regiment Gunner died in hospital in the UK on Thursday 8 May 2003, following injuries sustained in a traffic accident in Iraq.
Gunner Duncan Pritchard, 16 Squadron RAF Regiment, aged 22
A soldier from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, died in an accident in Iraq on Tuesday 6 May 2003.
Private Andrew Kelly, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, aged 18 from Tavistock
A British soldier was killed in an explosion in southern Iraq on Wednesday 30 April 2003.
Lance Corporal James McCue, 7 Air Assault Battalion, REME, aged 27 from Paisley
A soldier was killed in action in Basrah on Sunday 6 April 2003.
Fusilier Kelan Turrington, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged 18
In a separate incident, two other soldiers were killed in action in Basrah later the same day.
Lance Corporal Ian Malone, 1st Battalion, aged 28 from Dublin, and
Piper Christopher Muzvuru, aged 21 from Zimbabwe both from the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards
A soldier was killed in an accident involving a light armoured vehicle on Tuesday 1 April 2003.
An officer died in hospital in the UK on Tuesday 22 April 2003 from injuries sustained in the accident.
Lieutenant Alexander Tweedie, aged 25, and
Lance Corporal Karl Shearer, both from the Household Cavalry Regiment
A soldier was killed in southern Iraq on Monday 31 March 2003 during an explosive ordnance disposal operation.
Staff Sergeant Chris Muir, Army School of Ammunition, Royal Logistic Corps, aged 32 from Romsey in Hampshire
A soldier was killed in a road traffic accident in Kuwait on Sunday 30 March 2003.
Lance Corporal Shaun Brierley, 212 Signal Squadron, 1 (UK) Armoured Division HQ & Signal
Regiment, aged 28 from West Yorkshire
A Royal Marine was killed in action during fighting in the area of Basrah on Sunday 30 March 2003.
Marine Christopher Maddison, 9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, aged 24 from Scarborough
On Sunday 30 March 2003, a Royal Marine officer died of natural causes.
Major Steve Ballard, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, aged 33, from Swindon
A British soldier was killed in an incident involving light armoured vehicles of D Squadron, The Blues & Royals, on Friday 28 March 2003. Four others were injured. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.
The soldier killed was:
Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, Household Cavalry Regiment, aged 25 from Windsor
On Tuesday 25 March 2003, two soldiers from the Queen's Royal Lancers were killed when their Challenger 2 tank was accidentally hit by another Challenger 2 during a period of multiple engagements with Iraqi enemy forces. The two men have been named as:
Corporal Stephen Allbutt, aged 35 from Stoke-on-Trent, and
Trooper David Clarke, aged 19 from Littleworth, Staffordshire both from the Queen's Royal
Lancers
On Monday 24 March 2003, a soldier from 1st Battalion The Black Watch was killed in action near Al Zubayr.
Lance Corporal Barry Stephen, 1st Battalion The Black Watch, aged 31 from Perth
A soldier was killed in action near Az Zubayr near Basrah on Monday 24 March 2003.
Sergeant Steven Roberts, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, aged 33 from Bradford
Two British soldiers were reported missing, later confirmed as killed, after an attack on British military vehicles in southern Iraq on Sunday 23 March 2003.
Sapper Luke Allsopp, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), aged 24 from North London
Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), aged 36 from Essex
On Sunday 23 March 2003, an RAF GR4 Tornado aircraft from RAF Marham, which was returning from an operational mission, was engaged near the Kuwaiti border by a Patriot missile battery. Both aircrew were killed.
Flight Lieutenant Kevin Barry Main, Pilot, IX (B) Squadron
Flight Lieutenant David Rhys Williams, Navigator, IX (B) Squadron
The Military Aircraft Accident Summary reporting the investigation of this fatal incident was published on 14 May 2004. Click here for a direct link to the MAAS report.
At around 0130 GMT on Saturday 22 March 2003, two Royal Navy Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Early Warning helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf. There were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard. The incident was not the result of enemy action.
Lieutenant Philip Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire,
Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall,
Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent,
Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall,
Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose
The Commanding Officer of 849 Squadron asked for this letter to be published in response to all the messages of condolence received:
The early hours of 22 March 2003 marked a sad day in the proud history of 849 Naval Air Squadron. Two Sea King Mk 7 helicopters of 849 A Flight collided over the North Arabian Gulf, whilst conducting missions in support of coalition forces, with the loss of all seven crewmembers. As one can imagine, this tragic event has shocked and devastated everyone, not only the friends and loved ones of those involved but also of those associated in anyway with 849 Naval Air Squadron, the wider Fleet Air Arm community, and beyond.
Messages of condolence, support and sympathy began arriving early Saturday morning. Since then, Culdrose and 849 Squadron have been overwhelmed by the flow of tributes that continue to arrive. These have come from all quarters and include those close to fallen comrades, fellow aviators, members of the armed forces and from the general public. The strength and understanding that these messages convey cannot be underestimated; they have been, and continue to be, of enormous support not only to the friends and family of those involved, but to those still serving on A Flight and the 849 community as a whole. It will take time to respond personally to all the tributes, but be assured that all those associated with 849 Naval Air Squadron are eternally grateful and will draw great strength from them in the coming weeks and months.
Despite such horrendous losses, 849 A Flight remain in theatre and continue to execute vital missions in support of Gulf operations. The 'Eyes of the Fleet' may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant. Finally, to our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten.
At around midnight GMT on Friday 21 March 2003, a US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed south of the Kuwait border with US and UK personnel aboard; there were no survivors. Eight personnel from 3 Commando Brigade died in the accident, along with four US aircrew.
Colour Sergeant John Cecil, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 35, from Plymouth
Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 24 from Llandudno
Captain Philip Stuart Guy, Royal Marines, aged 29, from Skipton, Yorkshire
Marine Sholto Hedenskog, Royal Marines, aged 26, from Cape Town, South Africa
Sergeant Les Hehir, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 34, from Poole in Dorset
Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour RN, 148 Commando Battery Royal Artillery, aged 29 years, from Poole in Dorset
Warrant Officer Second Class Mark Stratford, Royal Marines, aged 39, from Plymouth
Major Jason Ward, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 34, from Torquay in Devon
Acting Chief Petty Officer Simon Roger Owen, aged 38 from Plymouth, died from natural causes
aboard HMS Chatham, during a deployment to the Gulf, on Friday 17 December 2004. Although initial reports associated A/CPO Owen's death with operations in Iraq, HMS Chatham was not assigned to or engaged in Operation TELIC at that time, and his name has not been included in the total for operations in Iraq.
http://http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities20032006.htm
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them."
The following is a list of UK Military and Civilian personnnel killed on operations in Iraq between the start of combat operations in 2003 and 31 December 2006:
Sergeant Graham Hesketh, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed on Thursday 28 December 2006 during a routine patrol in Basra City.
Sergeant Graham Hesketh, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 35 from Liverpool
Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth, from the Parachute Regiment, died following a planned search and detention operation in Basra City, on Friday 24 November 2006.
Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth, the Parachute Regiment
Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott of the Intelligence Corps, Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines were killed in an attack on a Multi-National Forces boat patrol on the Shatt Al-Arab waterway in Basra city, on Sunday 12 November 2006.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, aged 35 from Wellingborough
Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, Intelligence Corps, aged 34 from Ipswich
Corporal Ben Nowak, 45 Commando Royal Marines, aged 27 from Liverpool
Marine Jason Hylton, 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, aged 33 from Burton on Trent
Kingsman Jamie Lee Hancock of 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained during small arms fire against a Coalition Forces Base in Basra on Monday 6 November 2006.
Kingsman Jamie Lee Hancock, 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, aged 19 from Wigan
Lieutenant Tom Tanswell of 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery died as a result of a road traffic accident just outside Shaibah Logistics Base, near Basrah, on Friday 27 October 2006.
Lieutenant Tom Tanswell, 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regt Royal Artillery, aged 27 from London
Lance Corporal Dennis Brady died as a result of wounds received from a mortar round fired at his base in northern Basra on the afternoon of Sunday 1 October 2006.
Lance Corporal Dennis Brady, Royal Army Medical Corps, aged 37 from Barrow-in-Furness
Gunner Lee Thornton, of 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, died on Thursday 7 September 2006 as a result of injuries sustained in a shooting incident in the town of Al Qurna, Iraq on Tuesday 5 September 2006.
Gunner Lee Thornton, 58 (Eyre's) Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 22 from Blackpool
Two British soldiers were killed on Monday 4 September 2006 near the town of Ad Dayr, north of Basrah City when their patrol was subject to an attack by a roadside bomb and small arms fire.
Gunner Samuela Vanua, aged 27 from Fiji, and
Gunner Stephen Robert Wright, aged 20 from Preston, Lancashire, both from 58 (Eyre's)
Battery, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery
Corporal Matthew Cornish of 1st Battalion the Light Infantry died as a result of wounds sustained during a mortar attack on 1 August 2006.
Corporal Matthew Cornish, of 1 LI killed in Iraq, aged 29 from Yorkshire
Corporal John Johnston Cosby died on Sunday 16 July 2006 as a result of gunshot wounds following an operation by British Forces to apprehend a key terrorist leader and accomplice in a suburb of North Basra.
Corporal John Johnston Cosby, 1st Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry (1DDLI), aged 28 from Belfast
Two Soldiers from the Queen's Dragoon Guards were killed in an attack by an improvised explosive device in Basra on 28 May 2006.
Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall, aged 26 from Battersea, south London, and
Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly, aged 27 from Runcorn, both from the Queen's Dragoon Guards
Private Joseva Lewaicei and Private Adam Morris, of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb in Basra City, Southern Iraq, on 13 May 2006.
Private Joseva Lewaicei, aged 25 from Lautoka, Fiji, and
Private Adam Morris, aged 19 from Leicester, both from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment
Five personnel died when a Lynx helicopter crashed in Basra City on Saturday 6 May 2006.
Wing Commander John Coxen RAF, aged 47 from Liverpool
Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman, Fleet Air Arm, aged 40
Captain David Dobson, Army Air Corps, aged 27
Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill RAF, aged 32 from Canterbury
Marine Paul Collins, aged 21
Lieutenant Richard Palmer of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards died from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb attack on 15 April 2006.
Lieutenant Richard Palmer, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, aged 27
Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment were killed in Al Amarah on Tuesday 28 February 2006.
Captain Richard Holmes, aged 28, and
Private Lee Ellis, aged 23, both from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
Trooper Carl Smith of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) died on 2 February 2006, as a result of a vehicle accident whilst on operations in Abu Al Khasib, south of Basra, Iraq.
Trooper Carl Smith, 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's), aged 23 from Kettering
Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard, from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, died from injuries sustained as a result of an explosion on 31 January 2006, in Um Qasr, Iraq. Corporal Pritchard was commanding the lead Snatch Landrover in a three-vehicle convoy when the incident occured.
Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, aged 21
Lance Corporal Allan Douglas was shot and mortally wounded whilst on a routine patrol in Al Amarah, Iraq on 30 January 2006. Despite the best efforts of his comrades and the medical teams he later died of his wounds.
Lance Corporal Allan Douglas, Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), aged 22 from Aberdeen
Sergeant John Jones of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers died on 20 November 2005 as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb at approximately 1230 hrs local time in Basra, Iraq. He was on a routine patrol as the commander when the incident occurred.
Sergeant John Jones, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged 31, from Castle Bromwich, Birmingham
Sergeant Chris Hickey of 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb at approximately 2320 hrs local time in Basra, Iraq, on Tuesday 18 October 2005.
Sergeant Chris Hickey, 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards
The body of Captain Ken Masters, aged 40 was discovered in his accommodation in Waterloo Lines, Basra, Iraq on Saturday 15 October 2005.
Captain Ken Masters, Royal Military Police, aged 40
At approximately 1100 hrs local time on 11 September 2005, an armoured SNATCH landrover was attacked in Basrah City by an improvised explosive device. Major Matthew Bacon was killed in the explosion. Three other British soldiers, also travelling in the vehicle, were seriously injured.
Major Matthew Bacon, Intelligence Corps, aged 34 from London
On the morning of 5 September 2005, 20 year old Fusilier Donal Anthony Meade, from Plumstead in South East London, and 22 year old Fusilier Stephen Robert Manning, from Erith in Kent, died as a result of wounds sustained during a patrol near Az Zubayr, Basrah province, Iraq.
Fusilier Donal Anthony Meade, aged 20 from Plumstead in South East London, and
Fusilier Stephen Robert Manning, aged 22 from Erith in Kent both from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, Private Leon Spicer and Private Phillip Hewett of C Company, The 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment were killed when a patrol of three armoured Snatch Land-Rovers was engaged by an Improvised Explosive Device in the early hours of Saturday morning 16 July 2005 in Al Amarah.
Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, aged 26 from Nuneaton,
Private Leon Spicer, aged 26 from Tamworth, and
Private Phillip Hewett, aged 21 from Tamworth, all from the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment
Signaller Paul William Didsbury, a soldier with 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), died at Basra on the morning of Wednesday 29 June 2005. He was serving on a roulement tour with the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq).
Signaller Paul William Didsbury, 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), aged 18
Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury of The King's Royal Hussars died in the early hours of Sunday 29 May 2005, during an incident to the South of Al Amarah, Iraq.
Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury, The King's Royal Hussars, aged 21 from East Riding, Yorkshire
Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield died during the early hours of Monday 2 May 2005 as a result of wounds sustained during a routine patrol in Al Amarah, Iraq.
Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield, 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, aged 24 from Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A British soldier was found dead in his accommodation at Basrah Air Station on Monday 28 March 2005. An investigation is underway, and his death is not thought to have been the result of hostile action.
Private Mark Dobson, Tyne-Tees Regiment, aged 41 from County Durham
An RAF C-130K Hercules crashed 30 kilometres north-west of Baghdad on Sunday 30 January 2005 at approximately 1635 local time. The aircraft was on a flight between Baghdad International Airport and Balad airbase. Ten UK Service personnel are missing believed killed; nine from the Royal Air Force and one from the Army. Their repatriation to RAF Lyneham commenced on the afternoon of Monday 7 February 2005, being flown out from Basrah with full honours.
Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, Headquarters Strike Command, aged 39
Flight Lieutenant David Stead, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 35 from Yorkshire
Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 25
Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 35
Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 42
Chief Technician Richard Brown, RAF Lyneham, aged 40
Flight Sergeant Mark Gibson, 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, aged 34
Sergeant Robert O'Connor, RAF Lyneham, aged 38
Corporal David Williams, RAF Lyneham, aged 37
Acting Lance Corporal Steven Jones, Royal Signals, aged 25 from Fareham
The findings of the Board of Inquiry into the loss of RAF Hercules XV179 were published on 8 December 2005:
Conclusions of the inquiry into the loss of RAF Hercules XV179 in Iraq published
Findings of the Board of Inquiry into the loss of RAF Hercules XV179
Military Aircraft Accident Summary - RAF Hercules XV179
The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, said on Monday 31 January 2005:
"It is with great regret that I can confirm that nine Royal Air Force personnel and one soldier are missing believed killed in yesterday's crash of an RAF C-130 Hercules in Iraq. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and all the Armed Forces, I should like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of these servicemen.
"The aircraft was on a flight between Baghdad International Airport and Balad airbase when it crashed. UK and US forces have secured the crash site, and are now recovering the bodies, and attempting to ascertain the cause of the crash. We are aware of reports that the aircraft may have been shot down, but we are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete.
"The deaths of these Servicemen are especially poignant on a day when Iraqis were able to enjoy the freedom of democratic elections for the first time in many years.
"I can only echo the sentiment of the Prime Minister in recognising the sacrifice of these Servicemen."
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Lyneham, paid a private visit to the station on 1 February to express her condolences to members of 47 Squadron and the Engineering Wing, and speak with personnel who are providing support to the bereaved families.
A British soldier was found dead from a gunshot wound at Shaibah Logistic Base on Sunday 26 December 2004. Hostile action is not thought to be responsible. The Royal Military Police investigation continues, but initial inquiries do not suggest suspicious circumstances.
Sergeant Paul Connolly, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, aged 33 from Crawley in West Sussex
At 1830 local on Monday 8 November 2004, a Warrior armoured vehicle from the Black Watch Battle Group was hit by a roadside bomb north of Camp Dogwood. The Warrior left the road, its wheels destroyed on one side, and one soldier was killed and two others injured - neither seriously. The injured men were taken by a US helicopter medevac team to a military hospital in Baghdad; and the damaged Warrior was subsequently recovered to Camp Dogwood.
Private Pita Tukutukuwaqa, The Black Watch, aged 27 from Fiji
Three British soldiers were killed, and others injured, in a suicide car-bomb attack on a vehicle check-point within the Black Watch area of operations on Thursday 4 November 2004. An Iraqi interpreter was also killed, and eight soldiers were wounded.
Sergeant Stuart Gray, The Black Watch, aged 31 from Dunfermline, Fife
Private Paul Lowe, The Black Watch, aged 19 from Fife
Private Scott McArdle, The Black Watch, aged 22 from Glenrothes
Lieutenant-Colonel James Cowan, commanding the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, said at Camp Dogwood on Friday 5 November 2004:
"It is my sad duty to report the death of three of my soldiers. At 1300 on 4 November, a patrol from D Company, the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was conducting a Vehicle Check Point in an area east of the Euphrates. At this time, a suicide bomber drove his vehicle at the soldiers, detonating the device. The troops then came under sustained mortar fire. Three soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed, and eight soldiers wounded. Sergeant Stuart Gray, Private Paul Lowe, and Private Scott McArdle were all killed instantly, as was the patrol's interpreter, whose name cannot be released for security reasons.
"For a close-knit family such as the Black Watch, this is indeed a painful blow. All three of the soldiers were our friends, but as we mourn their deaths, so we remember their lives and give thanks to their contribution to the life of our Regiment. The interpreter had been with the Black Watch since our arrival in Iraq, and had become a friend to the soldiers. He had volunteered to come north with us, and had delayed his wedding, which was to have taken place on the day of his death. Stuart Gray was a Sergeant of great experience in the Mortar Platoon; Paul Lowe was a talented drummer in the Pipes and Drums; and Scott McArdle was a rifleman in the elite Reconnaissance Platoon. We will miss them as brothers-in-arms, and extend our sympathy and love to their families. The whole of the Black Watch is saddened by this loss. But while we fell this blow most keenly, we will not be deterred from seeing our task through to a successful conclusion."
Major Lindsay MacDuff, the Officer Commanding the Battalion's Rear Party at Warminster, said on Friday 5 November 2004:
"The Black Watch has always been a close-knit family, and the news that three of our soldiers were tragically killed while serving in Iraq is keenly felt by all ranks and their families. All are left saddened by the news that we have lost three friends.
"The men of the Black Watch are determined to continue with their operational tasks in Iraq. In the words from a key passage of the Regimental Collect, "We of the Black Watch will stand fast in the faith and be strong" at this time, both here with the families, and with the men on operations.
"The Army and the Black Watch have a robust and coordinated welfare structure that is designed to meet the needs of those affected by the incident yesterday. We would ask the media to keep their distance and give us a chance to grieve and come to terms with our loss at what is a difficult time."
A British soldier was found dead at a military base in Basrah on the morning of Sunday 31 October 2004. The investigation into the death is ongoing, but it is not believed to be the result of any hostile act.
Staff Sergeant Denise Michelle Rose, Royal Military Police, aged 34 from Liverpool
A soldier from The Black Watch died, and a further three suffered minor injuries and shock, in a road traffic accident in North Babil province on Friday 29 October 2004.
Private Kevin McHale, The Black Watch, aged 27 from Lochgelly in Fife
Two British soldiers died following the ambush of a military convoy south-west of Basrah on Tuesday 28 September 2004. An armoured Land Rover was badly damaged, and as troops sought to extract the casualties, they came under small arms fire.
Corporal Marc Taylor, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, aged 27 from Ellesmere Port
Gunner David Lawrence, Royal Artillery, aged 25 from Wallsall
A British soldier died in a road traffic accident near Al Amarah on Friday 10 September 2004.
Fusilier Stephen Jones, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, aged 22 from Denbeigh
A British soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with insurgents in Basrah on Tuesday 17 August 2004.
Lance Corporal Paul Thomas, The Light Infantry, aged 29 from Welshpool
A British soldier was killed and another seriously injured by an improvised explosive device attack in Basrah on Thursday 12 August 2004.
Private Marc Ferns, The Black Watch, aged 21 from Glenrothes in Fife
A soldier was killed, and several others were injured, in an attack on British vehicles in Basrah on Monday 9 August 2004.
Private Lee O'Callaghan, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, aged 20 from London
A British soldier was killed in an accident at Al Amarah on Wednesday 4 August 2004.
Private Christopher Rayment, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, aged 22 from London
A British airman was killed when an RAF Puma helicopter suffered an accident at Basrah International Airport on Monday 19 July 2004.
Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover, 33 Squadron RAF, aged 30
A British soldier was killed, and two injured, in an improvised explosive device attack on British vehicles in Basrah on the morning of Monday 28 June 2004.
Fusilier Gordon Gentle, Royal Highland Fusiliers, aged 19 from Glasgow
A British soldier was fatally injured in a vehicle accident at Shaibah Logistics Base on the morning of Thursday 12 February 2004.
Corporal Richard Ivell, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, aged 29 from near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
A soldier died in a tragic accident in Basrah on Saturday 31 January 2004.
Sapper Robert Thomson, Royal Engineers, aged 22 from West Lothian
A British soldier was killed, and another injured, in a road traffic accident at Al Amarah on Wednesday 21 January 2004.
Rifleman Vincent Windsor, Royal Green Jackets, aged 23 from Oxfordshire
A British Serviceman died following a tragic incident on a training range near Basrah on the morning of Wednesday 7 January 2004.
Lance Corporal Andrew Craw, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, aged 21 from Clackmannanshire
Two British soldiers were killed in a road traffic accident in Baghdad early on Thursday 1 January 2004.
Major James Stenner, Welsh Guards, aged 30 from Monmouthshire
Sergeant Norman Patterson, Cheshire Regiment, aged 28 from Staffordshire
A British Serviceman was killed in a road traffic accident in Basrah on Thursday 6 November 2003.
Private Ryan Thomas, Royal Regiment of Wales, aged 18 from Resolven, near Neath in Glamorgan.
A Royal Marines NCO was killed by hostile fire during an operation on Friday 31 October 2003.
Corporal Ian Plank, Royal Marines, aged 31 from Poole
A Territorial Army soldier died in a tragic incident on Tuesday 23 September 2003 whilst serving at Shaibah near Basrah.
Sergeant John Nightingale, 217 Transport Squadron, aged 32 from Leeds
A British soldier was killed and another wounded in an incident in Ali As Sharqi in southern Iraq on Wednesday 27 August 2003.
Fusilier Russell Beeston, 52nd Lowland Regiment, aged 26 from Govan
Three soldiers from the Royal Military Police were killed, and one seriously wounded, during an incident in central Basrah on the morning of Saturday 23 August 2003.
Major Matthew Titchener, 150 Provost Company, aged 32 from Southport, Merseyside
Company Sergeant Major Colin Wall, 150 Provost Company, aged 34 from Crawleyside, County Durham
Corporal Dewi Pritchard, 116 Provost Company, aged 35 from Bridgend
The senior RMP officer serving in Basrah, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Warren, said:
"I am deeply saddened by this tragic event. My thoughts, and those of the men and women of the Royal Military Police, are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. I hope that they will be given the space to grieve.
"These soldiers have been a credit to the RMP and have made a significant contribution to the rebuilding of the local police force in the region. This incident will not deter us from our mission and we will continue to work closely with our Iraqi colleagues to seek out those responsible for this criminal act and bring them to justice."
Brigadier Maurice Nugent, the Provost Marshal for the British Army and professional head of the Royal Military Police, said on Sunday 24 August 2003:
"The impact of yesterday's tragedy in Basrah, where three men of the Royal Military Police were killed, is only now beginning to be felt. The thoughts of all past and present members of the Royal Military Police are with the families. All three soldiers had young families and we will be there for them over the coming days and weeks. The RMP are one of the key players in the efforts to reform and resurrect the civil police in Iraq, and I am proud of the role played in this by Corporal Dewi Pritchard, from 116 Provost Company, West Bromwich, and Warrant Officer Colin Wall and Major Matthew Titchener, who were both from 150 Provost Company in Catterick. This essential work will continue beyond this tragedy."
A British serviceman was killed, and two wounded, during a bomb attack on a military ambulance in Basrah on Thursday 14 August 2003.
Captain David Jones, Queen's Lancashire Regiment, aged 29 from Louth in Lincolnshire
A Territorial Army soldier died on Wednesday 13 August 2003 in southern Iraq. The cause of his death is under investigation but was not the result of hostile action.
Private Jason Smith, 52nd Lowland Regiment, aged 32 from Hawick
An Army officer collapsed and died on Friday 18 July 2003 in southern Iraq.
Captain James Linton, 40 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, aged 43 from Warminster
Six Royal Military Policemen were killed in an incident at Al Majar Al Kabir on Tuesday 24 June 2003. The Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon MP, updated the House of Commons on Wednesday 2 July 2003 on the information available concerning this incident, and another in the same area which resulted in Service personnel sustaining wounds.
The six Royal Military Policemen who died were:
Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, aged 41 from Chessington
Corporal Russell Aston, aged 30 from Swadlincote
Corporal Paul Long, aged 24 from Colchester
Corporal Simon Miller, aged 21 from Washington, Tyne & Wear
Lance-Corporal Benjamin Hyde, aged 23 from Northallerton in Yorkshire
Lance-Corporal Thomas Keys, aged 20 from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala in Wales
The commanding officer of 156 Provost Company, Major Bryn Parry-Jones, said:
The loss of six soldiers from such a small, tight-knit unit as 156 Provost Company clearly comes as a dreadful shock to us all, not only the friends and families of those killed, but also all those in the Royal Military Police who knew and worked with them.
All these men were highly professional Soldiers and Policemen. Their deaths in action underlines the challenging and difficult operations that the RMP are asked to undertake both in peace and times of conflict.
From the oldest, aged 41, to the youngest, aged 20, these soldiers had between them a wealth of operational experience and distinguished service. You will understand that the circumstances surrounding this dreadful incident are still being investigated. At this time, our priority is giving all the support we can to the families and friends who are having to cope with the loss of loved ones.
We ask our men and women to risk the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, and it is the sad truth that sometimes that sacrifice comes to pass.
All six soldiers were extremely popular and well liked within the unit and they will be sadly missed by all of us.A Board of Inquiry was convened following the deaths of the six Royal Military Policemen at Majarr al Kabir on 24 Jun 03. To see the findings of the report click here
A civilian member of the Defence Fire Service died in hospital in the UK on Thursday 22 May 2003, having fallen ill in the Gulf.
Mr Leonard Harvey, aged 55, based at Wattisham in Suffolk
An RAF Policeman died in Kuwait on Monday 19 May 2003, believed to be from natural causes.
Corporal David Shepherd, Royal Air Force Police, aged 34
An RAF Regiment Gunner died in hospital in the UK on Thursday 8 May 2003, following injuries sustained in a traffic accident in Iraq.
Gunner Duncan Pritchard, 16 Squadron RAF Regiment, aged 22
A soldier from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, died in an accident in Iraq on Tuesday 6 May 2003.
Private Andrew Kelly, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, aged 18 from Tavistock
A British soldier was killed in an explosion in southern Iraq on Wednesday 30 April 2003.
Lance Corporal James McCue, 7 Air Assault Battalion, REME, aged 27 from Paisley
A soldier was killed in action in Basrah on Sunday 6 April 2003.
Fusilier Kelan Turrington, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged 18
In a separate incident, two other soldiers were killed in action in Basrah later the same day.
Lance Corporal Ian Malone, 1st Battalion, aged 28 from Dublin, and
Piper Christopher Muzvuru, aged 21 from Zimbabwe both from the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards
A soldier was killed in an accident involving a light armoured vehicle on Tuesday 1 April 2003.
An officer died in hospital in the UK on Tuesday 22 April 2003 from injuries sustained in the accident.
Lieutenant Alexander Tweedie, aged 25, and
Lance Corporal Karl Shearer, both from the Household Cavalry Regiment
A soldier was killed in southern Iraq on Monday 31 March 2003 during an explosive ordnance disposal operation.
Staff Sergeant Chris Muir, Army School of Ammunition, Royal Logistic Corps, aged 32 from Romsey in Hampshire
A soldier was killed in a road traffic accident in Kuwait on Sunday 30 March 2003.
Lance Corporal Shaun Brierley, 212 Signal Squadron, 1 (UK) Armoured Division HQ & Signal
Regiment, aged 28 from West Yorkshire
A Royal Marine was killed in action during fighting in the area of Basrah on Sunday 30 March 2003.
Marine Christopher Maddison, 9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, aged 24 from Scarborough
On Sunday 30 March 2003, a Royal Marine officer died of natural causes.
Major Steve Ballard, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, aged 33, from Swindon
A British soldier was killed in an incident involving light armoured vehicles of D Squadron, The Blues & Royals, on Friday 28 March 2003. Four others were injured. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.
The soldier killed was:
Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, Household Cavalry Regiment, aged 25 from Windsor
On Tuesday 25 March 2003, two soldiers from the Queen's Royal Lancers were killed when their Challenger 2 tank was accidentally hit by another Challenger 2 during a period of multiple engagements with Iraqi enemy forces. The two men have been named as:
Corporal Stephen Allbutt, aged 35 from Stoke-on-Trent, and
Trooper David Clarke, aged 19 from Littleworth, Staffordshire both from the Queen's Royal
Lancers
On Monday 24 March 2003, a soldier from 1st Battalion The Black Watch was killed in action near Al Zubayr.
Lance Corporal Barry Stephen, 1st Battalion The Black Watch, aged 31 from Perth
A soldier was killed in action near Az Zubayr near Basrah on Monday 24 March 2003.
Sergeant Steven Roberts, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, aged 33 from Bradford
Two British soldiers were reported missing, later confirmed as killed, after an attack on British military vehicles in southern Iraq on Sunday 23 March 2003.
Sapper Luke Allsopp, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), aged 24 from North London
Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), aged 36 from Essex
On Sunday 23 March 2003, an RAF GR4 Tornado aircraft from RAF Marham, which was returning from an operational mission, was engaged near the Kuwaiti border by a Patriot missile battery. Both aircrew were killed.
Flight Lieutenant Kevin Barry Main, Pilot, IX (B) Squadron
Flight Lieutenant David Rhys Williams, Navigator, IX (B) Squadron
The Military Aircraft Accident Summary reporting the investigation of this fatal incident was published on 14 May 2004. Click here for a direct link to the MAAS report.
At around 0130 GMT on Saturday 22 March 2003, two Royal Navy Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Early Warning helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf. There were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard. The incident was not the result of enemy action.
Lieutenant Philip Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire,
Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall,
Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent,
Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall,
Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose
The Commanding Officer of 849 Squadron asked for this letter to be published in response to all the messages of condolence received:
The early hours of 22 March 2003 marked a sad day in the proud history of 849 Naval Air Squadron. Two Sea King Mk 7 helicopters of 849 A Flight collided over the North Arabian Gulf, whilst conducting missions in support of coalition forces, with the loss of all seven crewmembers. As one can imagine, this tragic event has shocked and devastated everyone, not only the friends and loved ones of those involved but also of those associated in anyway with 849 Naval Air Squadron, the wider Fleet Air Arm community, and beyond.
Messages of condolence, support and sympathy began arriving early Saturday morning. Since then, Culdrose and 849 Squadron have been overwhelmed by the flow of tributes that continue to arrive. These have come from all quarters and include those close to fallen comrades, fellow aviators, members of the armed forces and from the general public. The strength and understanding that these messages convey cannot be underestimated; they have been, and continue to be, of enormous support not only to the friends and family of those involved, but to those still serving on A Flight and the 849 community as a whole. It will take time to respond personally to all the tributes, but be assured that all those associated with 849 Naval Air Squadron are eternally grateful and will draw great strength from them in the coming weeks and months.
Despite such horrendous losses, 849 A Flight remain in theatre and continue to execute vital missions in support of Gulf operations. The 'Eyes of the Fleet' may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant. Finally, to our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten.
At around midnight GMT on Friday 21 March 2003, a US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed south of the Kuwait border with US and UK personnel aboard; there were no survivors. Eight personnel from 3 Commando Brigade died in the accident, along with four US aircrew.
Colour Sergeant John Cecil, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 35, from Plymouth
Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 24 from Llandudno
Captain Philip Stuart Guy, Royal Marines, aged 29, from Skipton, Yorkshire
Marine Sholto Hedenskog, Royal Marines, aged 26, from Cape Town, South Africa
Sergeant Les Hehir, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 34, from Poole in Dorset
Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour RN, 148 Commando Battery Royal Artillery, aged 29 years, from Poole in Dorset
Warrant Officer Second Class Mark Stratford, Royal Marines, aged 39, from Plymouth
Major Jason Ward, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 34, from Torquay in Devon
Acting Chief Petty Officer Simon Roger Owen, aged 38 from Plymouth, died from natural causes
aboard HMS Chatham, during a deployment to the Gulf, on Friday 17 December 2004. Although initial reports associated A/CPO Owen's death with operations in Iraq, HMS Chatham was not assigned to or engaged in Operation TELIC at that time, and his name has not been included in the total for operations in Iraq.
http://http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities20032006.htm
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them."
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