Saturday, May 22, 2010

Corporal Stephen Walker killed in Afghanistan

It is with regret that the Ministry of Defence must announce that Corporal Stephen Walker from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in Afghanistan, yesterday, Friday 21 May 2010.

Corporal Walker was killed in an explosion that happened near Patrol Base Almas, in Sangin, Helmand province. He was conducting a joint foot patrol with the Afghan National Army to reassure and improve the security for the local population in the area when the incident took place.


Corporal Stephen Walker was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland on 5 April 1968. He lived in Exmouth with his wife Leona and their daughter Greer; and was also a proud father to his son Samuel.

He originally joined the Royal Navy on 19 May 1986, qualifying as a cook and serving at HMS Raleigh, HMS Cochrane and on board HMS Cleopatra.

He subsequently transferred to the Royal Marines, entering Recruit Training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines on 12 March 1990, passing for duty on 7 November 1990. During his 20 year career he served across the broad spectrum of Royal Marine Units including; Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, 40 and 45 Commando Royal Marines and the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines as a Recruit Troop Instructor.

He had a widespread background of instructional expertise in areas such as Mortars, Platoon Weapons and Jungle Warfare. He also had considerable operational experience in theatres such as Northern Ireland, Southern Turkey and Northern Iraq and, most recently, Afghanistan. In 2005, he excelled in his Junior Command Training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, placing in the top three students on his course.

This much deserved promotion gave him the opportunity to pass on his wealth of knowledge and experience to his young marines, something for which he felt extremely passionate about.

Joining 40 Commando Royal Marines in July 2009, he immediately conducted Mission Specific Training for deployment to Afghanistan.

In April 2010, he deployed with Alpha Company, 40 Commando to Op HERRICK 12, employed as a Section Commander based out of Patrol Base ALMAS. His Company had been responsible for providing security, thereby increasing their freedom of movement, to the people of Sangin during his time in Afghanistan.

On the morning of Friday 21 May 2010, Alpha Company was conducting a reassurance patrol, alongside the Afghanistan National Army, near Patrol Base ALMAS. At approximately 0850 hours local, north of the Patrol Base an explosion occurred. Tragically Cpl Walker was killed in action as a result of the blast.

Corporal Walker's wife Leona said:

"Steve was passionate, loyal and determined. He enjoyed the role he had in the Marines but he was a family man at heart. He was a fantastic Dad to Greer and he was the perfect soul mate to me. Although this is a very sad time, Steve would want us to be positive. Remember the good times, the happy times.

"A lot of people's lives will be deeply affected by Steve's all-to-early departure. Life goes on, but it will never be the same for us."

Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, Commanding Officer 40 Commando Group, Combined Force Sangin said:

"Corporal Stephen 'Whisky' Walker, an ex-navy chef turned Royal Marine Commando, was one of the most professionally astute men I have ever met. Brave, loyal, utterly dedicated and absolutely selfless, he died leading his section on patrol in southern Sangin. Having served twenty years in the Royal Marines, he was my most experienced and probably my best Corporal. I valued his counsel greatly and despite being his Commanding Officer, he taught me tactics.

"I often joined his section during our pre-deployment training. He was a natural leader who cared passionately for his men; he trained, he operated, he lived and he died at the front. He is a man who will be sorely missed by everyone in 40 Commando. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Leona, daughter Greer, son Samuel, his family and friends. Corporal 'Whisky' Walker was, and will always be, the consummate Commando."

14 comments:

  1. R.I.P cuz
    done us proud
    gone bt never forgotten
    x

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  2. Was so sorry to hear the news of another casualty in Afghanistan. I have created a tribute dedicated to Stephen at Friends At Rest (http://www.friendsatrest.com/2515/memorials/stephen-walker/). May he rest in peace.

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  3. am gutted at this news stephen and i where big chums (and villians) at school both joined up roundabout the same time back in 86 and had not seen him in along time.
    my thoughts are with the family circle at this time
    rip mate
    paul lisburn

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  4. hi leona its lynda here from 2 kenmout drive kennoway so sorry 2 hear about steve he was one in a million a great block we ever met our thoughts are with you at this very sad time hope 2 see u soon love lynda and family x x x

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  5. I trained with Whisky at Lympstone in 1990. Good bloke and good Marine.
    You will not be forgotten.
    Mark (591 troop RM)

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  6. R.I.P Hero - lost but not forgotten.

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  7. Leona, Helen & Family - Sorry to hear of your loss, Steve was a really nice guy. Our thoughts are with you all. Margaret & Kevin McMeechan xxxx

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  8. you risked your life for others each and every day. The countless lives you saved the price you had to pay. To me you were always special in my eyes you'll always shine. Of all the brothers in the world i am glad that you were mine. hero's live forever . deeply regretted by his brother ian sister in law rhoda his nephews kyle & ross lisburn county antrim nothern ireland

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  9. Deepest Sympathy to our esteemed member Ian and the entire family circle on the death of his brother Cpl Stephen Walker, Killed in Action from the officers and members of Pride Of Knockmore Flute Band Lisburn Resting Where No Shadows Fall - Lest We Forget.

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  10. Hi leona and greer nicola from kennoway here so sorry to hear about steve he was a fantastic person to know cant beleive what has happened our thoughts go out to you and the family at this sad time gone but never forgotten hope to see you soon love nicola xxxx

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  11. Quite simply a hero and someone to whom we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.

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  12. I have just heard of Stephen's tragic death. I was in the same form class as Stephen in school. I well remember Stephen debating the current issues of the day with Mr. Campbell the english teacher. He always stood out from the rest of us in the class. I had none seen or heard anything about Stephen since we left school in 1984 but often wondered what happened him. It's tragic. My deepest sympathy to his family. Colin in Lisburn.

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  13. Proud to have known and served with you Steve. You never failed to make me laugh. One of the nicest, funniest men I've ever had the privilege of knowing.

    Les

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  14. Leona i think back often to the good times we had. We were extremely proud and honoured to be at the wedding and the excellent night was had by all. I think about steve a lot and i remember me and him sitting up all night in hunter road blocked and listening to the who, he talked about you the whole night, loved up to the max awsome memories. Take care Leona Love Neil and Joanne x

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