Royal Blue

A truly tragic few days!

I have just read on the BBC news website that another soldier has been killed in Southern Afghanistan. If anything could make this more tragic it would be that this is the fourth brave soldier to have been killed since just last weekend. It is almost as if everything out there is escalating so close to everyone coming back home and I can really say that I have not been as worried as I am right now since this deployment began.

I cannot imagine what the families and friends of these brave soldiers are feeling right now or understand what they are going through - it is truly a tragedy, but I have been blown away by the care, courage and consideration of one family who have lost someone this week. Despite all that they are suffering through they have asked that the guys out in Afghan continue with their jobs and their mission with the utmost professionalism in memory of their son, and for all of their loved ones back home to let them know how much we love them and are truly proud of everything that they are doing. I have such admiration for this family's bravery, kindness and selflessness even at a time of such pain and words cannot describe how sorry I am for them. Their son was a true hero.

Marine Benjamin Reddy killed in Afghanistan

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Marine Benjamin Reddy from K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, in Afghanistan on Tuesday 6 March 2007.

Marine Reddy, aged 22, was killed when his unit came under fire during a deliberate clearance operation in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province.

Marine Benjamin Reddy

Ben Reddy from Ascot, Berkshire, joined the Royal Marines on 18 April 2005. He deployed with K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in September 2006.

Marine Reddy lived for every single day as a Royal Marine. Not only was he entirely professionally adept, he always displayed the manner and characteristics expected of a Royal Marine – the Commando Spirit. It was obvious to all that Marine Reddy treasured his Commando Green Beret and all that it stands for. He lived up to its reputation.

Never one to shirk his duties, Marine Reddy was often the first to volunteer for any task despite discomfort or danger, displaying typical unselfishness and courage that earned him great respect from his colleagues and peers. He would always work himself hard, always wanting to pull his weight for the team.

His honesty and openness gained him many friends within his Troop and Company. His tenacity, determination and professionalism shone through even in the toughest and most testing of conditions on operations. He would get on with the job, always wanting to produce the best results that he could.

Marine Reddy's humour and sense of duty to his friends never faltered. He was happiest when standing shoulder to shoulder with his fellow marines and, with the rush of adrenaline that combat brings, those marines felt all the better for standing alongside him.

Marine Reddy's parents have issued the following statement:

"This is the saddest day in our lives. Our son Ben's death has left us feeling totally empty. He was and always will be our hero, not only as a son but as a brother to Jamie. We want to wish all the personnel serving in action abroad a safe return to their families."

His Company released the following:

"Ben's absence will be profoundly felt by all ranks within K Company. We have lost a vibrant, unique character with an irrepressible sense of loyalty to his comrades. But most of all we have lost a true friend."

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Matt Holmes Royal Marines, added:

"Ben Reddy was a dedicated Royal Marine. He will be remembered as an honest and unselfish man who was conscientious in his approach to his duties and always worked hard for his friends and colleagues. He was always the first to offer assistance or to volunteer no matter what the associated danger.

"He was rightly very proud of his Green Beret, the outward mark of the Commando soldier. However, the real display of his Commando qualities were in his daily actions with K Company, and he had acquitted himself well fighting alongside his colleagues on numerous occasions. Courageous and proficient when in contact with the enemy, his fighting spirit was indomitable.

"Ben had close friends in the Company, and was amongst them when he fell. His loss will be greatly felt by his colleagues in K Company and across the whole Commando Unit, close as we are. We know he was particularly close to his family, whom he treasured and often spoke about, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and his friends at this difficult time."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said:

"Marine Reddy's death is a tragic loss and my thoughts are with his family, colleagues and friends at what must be a most difficult time. It is clear that he was an excellent marine who served his company, service and country with pride. Marine Reddy made a vital contribution to the important NATO mission in Afghanistan; he will not be forgotten."

Please note that the family of Marine Reddy has requested privacy from the media as they come to terms with their loss.

Another Royal Marine Killed In Afghan

Royal Marine dies in Afghanistan

A Royal Marine has died during a battle with insurgents in the troubled Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Nato confirmed that its forces were involved in an exchange of fire and the Ministry of Defence subsequently confirmed that a UK marine had died.

The MoD also said he was with 42 Commando Royal Marines and that he was hit by small arms fire.

It said a helicopter evacuated him to the hospital at Camp Bastion, where he was pronounced dead.

I just had a look on the bbc news website and saw this breaking news article up in the corner. Whenever you see anything like this I think everyone who has a loved one over there will say that your heart is in your mouth and you almost don't want to read the article in case it's something that you really don't want to know but I clicked it and for some reason I was almost expecting it to be another guy from 45 commando as fortunately for us the guys from 42 haven't suffered any casualties yet although I suppose unfortunately it is somewhat inevitable. It felt like my heart stopped beating when I saw it was a guy from 42 - as tragic as all of the recent incidents have been I think having something happen to a guy from your own unit feels so much more real and really gets to you a lot more.

I was still staring at the screen when I got a phone call from Marine's best friend - the person who I have asked to be the one to call me and let me know should anything happen to Marine. I have never felt so scared and so helpless in all of my life not knowing why he was calling me. I cried down the phone and he couldn't understand a word I was saying although luckily he was only calling to ask me if I knew anything about what had happened because he was also worried. He think's I ended up scaring him a lot more than he scared me but I have to say I never want to have that feeling again. I knew that the next of kin had already been informed so I asked him to call Marine's mum as I didn't want to call and sound upset as it would only worry her and as far as we know everything for us is fine as she hasn't been informed of anything happening. I am still really scared that the person hurt will turn out to be someone that I know although that is completely selfish of me I know.

I know that somewhere someone has been told the tragic news that their son, husband, boyfriend, brother or father have been killed in action and my heart is breaking for them because I really can't imagine what they are going through right now and I hope that I never have to find out. My thoughts are with his family and friends who have had to suffer such an awful loss today.

Once I had calmed down I saw this article on the MOD website which gives a little more information about the incident such as the more specific area in which it happened. :

British serviceman killed in Afghanistan

It is with profound sadness that the UK Task Force can confirm that a Royal Marine from 42 Commando Royal Marines has died whilst on operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Earlier today, Tuesday 12 December 2006, elements from the UK Task Force were patrolling to the north of Now Zad, a district in the North of Helmand, when they came under attack from Taliban forces.

During the contact the Marine was hit by small arms fire and fatally wounded. An emergency quick reaction helicopter along with a full medical team was immediately dispatched to Now Zad. The marine was then evacuated to the UK hospital at Camp Bastion, where he was sadly pronounced dead. Next of kin have now been informed.

No other servicemen were injured.

The Commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas RM, said:

"It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death today of a Royal Marine. Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are very much with the family, friends and colleagues.

"The Royal Marines Company involved in today's attack remains in Now Zad providing support to the Afghan Government and remains fully committed to the task."

The family have requested a period of privacy so that they can come to terms with their loss and inform friends and the wider family. Further details will be provided in 24 hours.

ROYAL MARINE HERO TO SELL MILITARY CROSS

ROYAL MARINE HERO TO SELL MILITARY CROSS

A former Plymouth-based Royal Marine who was the most junior-ranking serviceman to win the Military Cross is selling his medal to raise money to support his family.

Liam Armstrong, of 42 Commando, was 23 when he receieved the award - usually reserved for officers - for his part in seizing a 45-tonne cache of mortar bombs, rockets and bullets in an al Qaida heartland of Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan, in 2002.

Mne Armstrong seized nine armed men without firing a shot during Operation Jacana and then kept militia fighters at bay until reinforcements arrived.

Now 27 and employed as a tracklayer with a railway company in Carlisle, he hopes to raise up to £30,000 by selling the coveted award at auction.

The Military Cross, along with his operational service medals for work in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, are being offered for sale at Morton and Eden in London on December 15.

Mr Armstrong said yesterday he was selling the medal to build a base for his new life.

He left the armed forces in October 2005 - he was based in Arbroath - and has a two-year-old daughter, Lydia, with a long-term partner.

"I just want to make sure my daughter has got everything she needs," he said. "I'm not a rich man and the sale will ensure our future as a family. Whatever I need to do to achieve that, I'll do it."

He originally wanted to become a professional footballer but was rejected by Scottish league side Queen's Park on the grounds that he "lacked spirit".

He joined the Marines in 1999, serving with 42 Commando based in Plymouth and in the UN operations in Sierra Leone.

At the time of his award, he said: "My Mum and Dad received a letter at home and Dad was so excited they called me straight away. I was gobsmacked."

This seems so sad that a guy has to sell the medal that he was awarded four courage and bravery just to make any kind of real money in order to have a decent future with his family. With everything that has been happening with the government refusing to pay the marines the bonuses they had been promised for being in combat and basically giving up half a year of their lives and then the treatment of wounded soldiers when they return home I'm really starting to think that the government really couldn't care less about the soldiers that serve our country and in some cases give up everything while doing so. Something really needs to be done because this is just disgraceful. If I was rich I would give the guy the money that he wants to earn from his medal and tell him to keep it as something that he can be proud of for the rest of his life and that his family can be proud of for generations.