Corporal Green died as a result of small arms fire near Sangin in Helmand province.
Corporal Richard Green
Corporal Richard Green was born on 4 September 1986 in Reading. He attended Little Heath Secondary School, gaining a GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) in Leisure and Tourism before joining the Army on 4 August 2003 at the age of sixteen.
He attended Phase One training at the Army Training Regiment in Bassingbourn, before reporting to the Infantry Training Centre Catterick in January 2004 for his infantry specific training.
Corporal Green successfully completed a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer cadre within a year of arriving at 3 RIFLES and, a year after that, had completed the demanding Section Commanders' Battle Course to qualify him for promotion to Corporal.
Corporal Green deployed to Afghanistan in September 2009 with 3 RIFLES Recce Platoon. Following five months of patrolling and operating in the town of Sangin, he was sent with his team to a patrol base to work alongside his Afghan National Army partners to bring stability and development to local Afghans.
He leaves behind his father Chris, his mother Eileen, and his brother and sister, Daniel and Charlotte.
Corporal Green's family made the following statement:
"Richard was a larger than life character who packed so much into his short life. In his own words he was the 'Greenmeister', a true legend. He wouldn't want any of us mourning his death, rather he would want us all to celebrate his life. On his recent R&R Richard said 'If anything happens to me know that I've lived life to the full, have no regrets, and love my job.'
"We are so proud of him and will miss him more than words can ever say, but we do take comfort from the thought that, if there is a heaven, he is now having a laugh with his friends whose lives have been taken, just like his, over the past year."
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 RIFLES Battle Group, said:
"Corporal Richard Green was a man at the very top of his game. Having breezed through courses that test even the best of young Riflemen, he showed himself, at the age of 23, to be up to any challenge that the Army could throw at him.
"Out here the Reconnaissance Platoon has constantly been in the thick of it. Corporal Green has never faltered nor taken a backward step, leading others selflessly, both by his example and his compelling personality.
"In the field and on operations he has been in his element, setting the highest standards and excelling in every way.
"The Battle Group has lost one of its most capable young commanders and his sudden absence leaves both a large gap and a heavier burden.
"We shall continue his work with renewed vigour. Cut down by a gunman hiding in the shadows, Corporal Green died whilst standing firm and proud alongside the Afghan Warriors who are increasingly taking security responsibility from the British troops here.
"Running a vehicle checkpoint as morning traffic headed into the vibrant bazaar, they were there for no other purpose than to give the locals of Sangin, and this region, a better future. Chosen for this mentoring role precisely because of his ability, maturity and breadth of vision, his enduring contribution in supporting and developing the local security forces cannot be overstated.
"The thoughts and prayers of this entire Battle Group go out to Corporal Green's family and loved ones. We know that they will remember him, as we do, with nothing but pride, drawing comfort and strength from his revered memory."
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