Corporal Jamie Kirkpatrick killed in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Jamie Kirkpatrick of 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), part of the Counter-IED Task Force, was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 27 June 2010.


Corporal Kirkpatrick was attached to the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, part of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force, and was killed in a small arms fire engagement with insurgent forces in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

Corporal Jamie Kirkpatrick

Corporal Jamie Kirkpatrick was 32 years of age. He was born in Edinburgh but lived in Llanelli in South Wales.

He enlisted in the Corps of Royal Engineers in September 1997 and following training as a Combat Engineer and trade training as a Plant Operator Mechanic, he was posted to 28 Engineer Regiment in Hameln, Germany.

Over the next six years in Germany he qualified as a Class 1 Plant Operator Mechanic, promoted to Lance Corporal and deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC as a Plant Section Second-in-Command.

After a spell at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster he was promoted to Corporal in 2006.

A tour as a Corporal instructor at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham quickly followed and in 2009 he was posted to 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) where he successfully gained his Intermediate Explosive Ordnance Disposal qualification.

In April 2010 he volunteered for a tour of Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 12, just as his Squadron was transferred to 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).

He was attached back to 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) for the deployment to Afghanistan.

Corporal Kirkpatrick was a member of the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, part of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force.

His role was as the Number 2 in a Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Team, supporting the Bomb Disposal Operator.

In Afghanistan he and his team started the tour in Lashkar Gah helping to increase the security of the area by disposing of Improvised Explosive Device constituent parts brought in by the Afghan National Police.

In May 2010 he deployed to Kajaki in the Sangin District of Helmand Province to work with 40 Commando Royal Marines Battle Group and played a large part in increasing the freedom of movement for the local Afghans by removing Improvised Explosive Devices from key routes as well as conducting life-saving training to members of the Battle Group.

Most recently the team moved to support the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group, Combined Force Nahr-E Saraj (South).

On the evening of 27 June 2010, Corporal Kirkpatrick and his team were being held in reserve whilst a clearance operation was being carried out in order to increase security to an area around one of the Check Points.

Corporal Kirkpatrick and his team were extracting from a compound to move back to Check Point KINGSHILL when the team came under attack from Insurgent small arms fire.

A single round hit Corporal Kirkpatrick and despite immediate first aid he was sadly killed in action. He leaves behind his wife Heidi and their daughter Holly.

Corporal Kirkpatrick's family paid the following tribute:

"Jamie was a larger than life individual who was loved, loyal and loud. A wonderful son. He was a proud soldier, friend, brother, husband and Daddy.

"The family are devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with the fact they will never see him again."

Lieutenant Colonel David Southall MBE Royal Engineers, Commanding Officer Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force said:

"Corporal Jamie Kirkpatrick, or 'KP' to his mates, was a robust, humorous and professional Royal Engineer.

"A Plant Operator Mechanic by trade, Corporal Kirkpatrick sought excitement, variety and challenge in his military career at every turn and no-one was surprised when he stepped up to train in an Explosive Ordnance Disposal role.

"Deployed in the deadly fight against the Improvised Explosive Device threat, his diligence, coolness under pressure and total confidence in his abilities always shone through and his actions undoubtedly saved lives in Afghanistan.

"KP was also a natural team player; always keen for a laugh, his irrepressible optimism made him incredibly popular within our tight-knit Counter-Improvised Explosive Device community.

"His greatest passion in life, however, was his family. My heart goes out to his wife, Heidi and very young daughter, Holly, whose loss is unimaginable.

"KP died doing something he loved, working to save the lives of others and liberate Afghanistan from the Improvised Explosive Device threat – his sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Lieutenant Colonel Aidan Smyth TD Royal Engineers, Commanding Officer 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) said:

"Corporal Kirkpatrick's talent was quickly recognised: he passed his Junior Non-Commissioned Officer's Cadre in 2001 and was immediately promoted to Lance Corporal before being further promoted to Corporal in 2006.

"Initially posted to 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) as a Plant Operator, he recognised the importance of the fight against Improvised Explosive Devices in Afghanistan and volunteered for training as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Number 2.

"Corporal Kirkpatrick was an extremely professional soldier, an example to others and it is devastating that he should lose his life whilst doing the job he loved.

"Our thoughts are with his wife Heidi and his young daughter Holly on their tragic loss.

"Corporal Kirkpatrick will be sorely missed but always remembered by all ranks in 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)."