The soldiers were part of a Police Advisory Team, travelling as part of a two vehicle convoy tasked to attend an incident at a nearby Check Point when the vehicle rolled into the waterway.
Colour Sergeant Martyn Simon Horton
Colour Sergeant Martyn Horton was 34 years old and from Runcorn. He enlisted into the Army in 1992 and joined the 1st Battalion The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment.
He has served in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, The Falkland Islands, Belize and Kenya, and on operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. Promoted to Colour Sergeant in June 2009 he assumed the role of Reconnaissance Platoon Second-in-Command.
Moving from Support Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) he served with B (Malta) Company during the preparations for, and initial deployment on Operation HERRICK 12 in Afghanistan.
He was then selected to command a team to train, advise and mentor the Afghan National Police in Gereshk, Helmand Province in order to further develop their capabilities and promote security and rule of law.
On 23 June 2010, following an attack on a Police Check Point near Gereshk, Colour Sergeant Horton's team, along with the Afghan National Police, deployed as a Quick Reaction Force to support.
The vehicle in which he was travelling overturned into the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal. At approximately 2208hrs local, Colour Sergeant Horton died in the incident alongside three of his colleagues from the Police Advisory Team - Lance Corporal David Ramsden, Private Douglas Halliday and Private Alex Isaac.
Colour Sergeant Hortons' sister Caroline has made the following statement:
"Martyn lived for three things - family, Army and Liverpool. He loved fighting for his friends and family. He was a loving dad, brother and son; he touched everyone he met. We will miss his cheeky grin. He will be fondly missed by everyone he knew and sadly died doing the job he loved. Once met never forgotten."
Lance Corporal David Andrew Ramsden
Lance Corporal David Ramsden was 26 years old and from Leeds. He joined the Army in January 2002 and, following attendance at the Army Training Regiment Glencorse and the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, he joined the 1st Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in July 2002.
He served in the United Kingdom and Belize and on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and finally Afghanistan. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in October 2005 and left the Army in 2007 to pursue a career in civilian street.
Following mobilisation as a Regular Reservist, Lance Corporal Ramsden joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) in January 2010 and completed Mission Specific Training in readiness for a six month deployment to Afghanistan.
He deployed to central Helmand in April 2010 and joined the Police Advisory Team, working from the Afghan National Police Headquarters in Gereshk, Southern Afghanistan.
His team has been advising the Afghan Police in the area in order to ensure that they are better able to deliver more effective security to the city, whilst reinforcing Afghan rule of law and creating the conditions for economic development.
On 23 June 2010, following an incident at a nearby Police Check Point, Lance Corporal Ramsden's Police Advisory Team, along with the Afghan National Police, deployed as a Quick Reaction Force in support of their Afghan colleagues.
The vehicle in which he was travelling overturned into the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal. At approximately 2208hrs local, Lance Corporal Ramsden was killed in the incident alongside three of his colleagues from the Police Advisory Team - Colour Sergeant Horton, Private Douglas Halliday and Private Alex Isaac
The family of Lance Corporal Ramsden made the following statement:
"David lived life at 1,000 mph. He loved Army life and his job and as a teenager was in the Army Cadet Force.
"His friends called him Lizard due to him keeping two iguanas which he re-homed before he left for Afghanistan. He was a normal young lad who would always cheer you up and often did things for a laugh.
"He loved socialising with his mates both in and out of the Army. We all loved him so much – he was very generous and he would do anything for his family and friends.
"Although we didn't see much of him due to Army life, when he arrived back his personality lit up a room and we knew he was home and we will miss him so much." – From his Mum, Shirley, Dad, Eddie and brothers and sisters, Zoey, twin Emma, Matthew and Jeremy."
Private Douglas Niall Halliday
Private Douglas Halliday was 20 years old and from Wallasey, Merseyside. He joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) on 28 January 2008 following basic training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.
He started his career in B Company and then moved to C Company. He served in Northern Ireland, Kenya and on operations in Afghanistan.
He undertook extensive Mission Specific Training in both the UK and Kenya in preparation for the deployment on Operation HERRICK 12. He moved back to B (Malta) Company and was assigned to the Police Advisory Team in Gereshk, Helmand Province.
His team has been advising the Afghan National Police in order to further develop their capabilities and promote security, governance and the rule of law.
On 23 June 2010, following an attack on a nearby Police Check Point, Private Halliday's team, along with the Afghan National Police, deployed as a Quick Reaction Force in support of their colleagues.
The vehicle in which he was travelling overturned into the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal.
At approximately 2208hrs local, Private Douglas Halliday died in the incident alongside three of his colleagues from the Police Advisory Team - Colour Sergeant Horton, Lance Corporal David Ramsden, and Private Alex Isaac
The family of Private Halliday have made the following statement:
"Dougie was deeply loved by all of his family and friends for the love and laughter that he brought into their lives. Dougie was always the life and soul of the party and will be missed by all.We are all extremely privileged to have shared his short life.
"Dougie loved his job in the army and his comrades; he would have done anything for them. He was that special type of man. We were all so proud when he was voted top cadet in his passing out parade.
"He did us all proud and lived by the family motto; Sis Justus nec timeas.- be just and fear not.
"We remember Dougie for his charm, the special times together and his humour. He will never be forgotten.
"At this sad time for his family, we also send our condolences to the families of his comrades who also gave their lives so that we may live in freedom."
Private Alex Isaac
Private Alex Isaac was 20 years old and from the Wirral. Following training at the Army Training Regiment in Bassingbourn and the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick he joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) on 12 May 2008.
He served in the United Kingdom and Kenya and on operations in Afghanistan.
Following Mission Specific Training in readiness for deployment on Operation HERRICK 12, he moved from C Company to B (Malta) Company.
Soon after deployment he formed part of a team tasked with advising the Afghan National Police in Gereshk City, Helmand Province. The Police Advisory Team has been providing assistance to the Afghan Police in order to enhance their effectiveness and promote local security, economic development and the rule of law.
On 23 June 2010, following an incident at a Police Check Point near Gereshk, Private Isaac's team, along with the Afghan National Police, deployed as a Quick Reaction Force in support of their Afghan colleagues.
The vehicle in which he was travelling overturned into the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal. At approximately 2208hrs local, Private Alex Isaac died in the incident alongside three of his colleagues from the Police Advisory Team - Colour Sergeant Horton, Lance Corporal David Ramsden and Private Douglas Halliday.
The family of Private Isaac have made the following Statements
Mother; Mrs Annette Isaac, said:
"My beautiful darling son who was a fighter, and so brave, you will always be in my heart, my soul and my thoughts. God bless."
Father; Mr John Isaac, said:
"I will miss you always my brave son Alex, you now live on in my thoughts and my heart."
Brother; Mr Chris Isaac, said:
"Alex, my little brother, will always be remembered for his bravery and huge personality."
Brother; Mr Robert Isaac, said:
"Alex, I am very proud to be your brother; your strength will live on in all of us."
Girlfriend; Miss Megan Anyon, said:
"I will always love you, you brave boy."
Grandmother; Mrs Elizabeth Isaac, said:
"Dear Alex I will miss your smiling face."
Grandmother; Mrs Vera Delamare, said:
"Alex was a wonderful grandson and he will be sadly missed."
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R.I.P now, true hero s one and all.
ReplyDeleteVery close friend Andy Brierley
ReplyDeleteI've known Martyn Horton for over 25 years and i also served withim in the cheshire reg.
It was an honour to have been such a close friend to him he will be truly missed as he leaves behind his son & daughter and girlfreind Gemma. We are all deveastated were not goin to see his cheeky smile again. R.I.P Brother.
Very sad to read this, I was close childhood friends with Douglas Halliday - We did everything together as kids, and although its been a few years since i saw him, reading this brings back all kinds of memories. Horrible news. Rest in peace my friend.
ReplyDelete