11 EOD Medal Parade in Didcot

200 soldiers from the Counter Improvised Explosive Device Task Force (C-IED), who have returned from Helmand Province, were officially welcomed back to the United Kingdom today when they marched through the town of Didcot in Oxfordshire and received their richly deserved ‘Herrick’ campaign medals from Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mr Tim Stevenson OBE.

Didcot is home to 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, the disposal experts within the C-IED Task Force.

Along with: Royal Engineer specialists, Royal Military Police, Military Working Dogs and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, they worked in teams providing three different capabilities: Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, Conventional Munitions Disposal and High Risk Search teams, all of whom were responsible for finding and disposing of bombs and improvised explosive devices.

It brought the force numerous awards in the recent Operational Honours including two George Crosses, the highest award for gallantry that can be bestowed; one posthumously for Staff Sergeant Olaf ‘Oz’ Schmid and the other, Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes.

Lauded as heroes, from all the soldiers in Helmand ranging from Privates to Commanding Officers, everyone was in no doubt that these remarkable soldiers saved numerous lives:

"They are real heroes of this campaign," said Major Rob Philipson-Stow, Second-in-Command of the Household Cavalry Regiment Battle Group based in Musa Qal'ah.

"The way they approach their job is phenomenal."



Brigadier James Cowan, the Commander of Task Force Helmand, said:
"The men and women of the C-IED Task Force are an extraordinary group of people.

"Selflessly committed to their dangerous work and utterly professional, there isn't a soldier in Task Force Helmand who doesn't hold them in the utmost respect for what they do and the way they do it.

"I am deeply proud to have them serving as part of my brigade, saving military and civilian lives day-in and day-out. They are some of the true heroes of this campaign."

Tragically, the tour saw the loss of Captain Dan Read, Staff Sergeant Schmid, Corporal Marlton-Thomas, Warrant Officer Second Class Markland, Corporal Oakland, Sapper Mellors and Sapper Watson.

The parade marched behind the Band of The Rifles, stepping off from the Orchard Centre in Didcot. Half an hour later they arrived at the town’s Civic Hall for the presentation of their medals.

Captain Daniel Read killed in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Captain Daniel Read from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, part of the Counter-IED Task Force, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 11 January 2010.

Captain Daniel Read was killed as a result of an explosion which happened in the Musa Qaleh area of northern Helmand province.

Captain Daniel Read

Captain Dan Read deployed on Operation HERRICK 11 as a High Threat Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Disposal Operator.

He was born in Kent in December 1978 and was 31 years old when he was tragically killed in an IED blast whilst he was on task supporting Battle Group (North West).

Having completed his GCSEs at Rainham Mark Grammar School, Captain Read joined the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1996 as a Sapper. He was posted to 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) and got his first taste of EOD operations on Op FINGAL in 2002 when he deployed as a Search Team Second-in-Command. From this point on, Captain Read was 'hooked' on EOD and knew the only job for him was that of an Ammunition Technical Officer or 'ATO'.

When he returned from the tour, Captain Read applied for a commission in the Royal Logistic Corps; he was successful and he completed his course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December 2004.

Captain Read was commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC)and was posted to 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC as a Troop Commander in April 2005. Typically, he could not sit still and his zest and enthusiasm inspired him to complete the All Arms Commando Course and a tour of Afghanistan in 2006.

Captain Read's passion for EOD operations had not deteriorated and at the first opportunity he volunteered for the Ammunition Technical Officers' Course which he completed in May 2008 and was posted to 821 EOD Squadron, 11 EOD Regiment RLC.

In August 2009 he passed the high threat operator course and immediately began the pre-deployment training for Op HERRICK 11.

Captain Read was an experienced operator. He attended 21 tasks in Afghanistan, and had already dealt with 32 IEDs. Captain Read was passionate about his role as a High Threat Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Operator, always displaying a boundless enthusiasm and energy for the tasks he undertook.

Captain Read leaves his wife Lorraine, parents and sisters behind. Our thoughts and prayers will hopefully provide some solace at this time and help them through this tragic loss.

Captain Read's widow, Mrs Lorraine (known as 'Lou') Read, has made the following statement:

"Dan was so brave, he was my hero and best friend, he was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. He will never be forgotten and always in my heart. I'm so proud and privileged to have been your wife."

Captain Daniel Shepherd killed in Afghanistan

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Captain Daniel Shepherd from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 20 July 2009.

Captain Shepherd was serving with the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group when he died following an explosion in Nad-e-Ali District in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan.

At the time of his death, Captain Shepherd was commanding an Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) team within the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group who were dealing with a confirmed IED.

Working in concert with a Royal Engineers Search Team, their task was to clear a route in order to ensure that an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) re-supply convoy and the local Afghan population were able to move freely through a particularly area.

Another member of his team suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Captain Daniel Shepherd

Captain Shepherd aged 28, was married and came from Lincoln. Following a degree in Electrical Engineering, he joined the Royal Logistic Corps on Commissioning from Sandhurst in August 2003.

He subsequently attended specialist logistic training before, as a junior officer, joining 8 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, with whom he served in Iraq in 2004.

In 2007 he attended and passed Ammunition Technical Officer training before being posted to 11 EOD Regiment RLC as a Troop Commander and Joint Service IED Disposal Operator with Northolt Troop, 621 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, providing bomb disposal support in the Greater London area.

In December 2008 he joined the select group of our very best Bomb Disposal operators by attending and passing the IEDD No1 (High Threat) course.

In Afghanistan, Captain Shepherd commanded an IED Disposal Team within the Joint Force EOD Group. His role was to conduct IED Disposal operations, clearing the way to make routes safe for ISAF and the Afghan people, during the course of his tour he had already dealt with over 50 devices and he died whilst deployed in support of Operation PANCHAI PALANG.

He was at his very best on operations and excelled in the demanding operational environment of Southern Afghanistan. Such was his talent and operational experience that he was shortly to take up a high profile appointment, focused on countering the threat from IEDs in Afghanistan, at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.

Captain Shepherd leaves behind his wife, Kerry, his devoted parents David and Judith and his brother Paul.

Capt Shepherd's wife, Kerry, said:

"He was doing what he loved. I was so proud of him. I have not lost just a husband but a best friend and he will be missed by everyone."

The family of Capt Shepherd said:

"We are very proud of our youngest son and husband. He lived life to the full. Daniel worked hard to achieve all he set out to do in his career in the Army. He has left a huge hole in our family and our lives and will be sadly missed. He is in our thoughts, always."