Sibling soldiers under fire on the front line

Two new RAF units have been recently formed to provide specialist force protection capabilities at Bastion and Kandahar Airfields, giving other RAF Regiment squadrons more time to recuperate between tours.

Two brothers, serving side by side as soldiers in 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (2 PWRR), have been recalling some of the hairier moments of their recent deployment to Afghanistan.

Private Liam Horgan, aged 19, was part of a resupply convoy in Helmand on the way to his brother’s patrol base, when, he recalls, there was a ‘massive boom’:

“I was smashed up off my seat and I couldn’t feel anything”, he said. “I couldn’t see anything because of the dust, and I thought, well I thought that was it.

“I felt myself down and I couldn’t feel anything, I was just so shook up. But after a couple of seconds I got to grips with myself and started to be able to see again as the dust settled, and I was OK.

“We were towed into my brother’s patrol base and were able to laugh about it because nobody had been injured. I’m a lucky boy!”

His older brother, 21-year-old Private James Horgan, had been watching from inside the patrol base. For him, the incident seemed to last for much longer. An ISAF convoy had been hit by an improvised explosive device along the same stretch of road earlier that day, but had reported the route was now clear:

“They were supposed to have cleared the route, but they missed one and it copped Liam,” said James.

“I knew he was in the vehicle straight away. I don’t why, just something told me.

“I thought about him all the time over there because I felt I had a big influence in him joining the Army so if anything did happen I would blame myself. So when they came in and all the lads got out it was a big sigh of relief.”

Privates Liam and James Horgan of 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

James also had some near misses. He recalled:

“In one incident we had to cross a field to get into a village. As we got into the middle of the field we had no cover, just a small irrigation ditch about a foot [0.3m] deep, when [insurgents] opened up on us.

“We all just had to roll down into the ditch and lay there while our boys fired over us with fire support.

“We were kinda caught in a two-way range so we couldn’t stand up. We were just laying there in the muddy puddle waiting it out. You just want to get out of there really.”

“As soon as you go out of the gate [on patrol] the anticipation is there because you know they [the insurgents] can see you and you know it’s coming.

“You’ve just got to keep your skills and drills on the ball and you will come out on top,” he said.

Liam and James are soon to be joined by their youngest brother, Danny, who is also joining 2 PWRR and who may serve with them on future tours. But for now they’re getting ready to take on an entirely different role – they’ll begin guarding Her Majesty The Queen at the end of the summer.

“You could say we have swapped the enemy fire of Afghanistan for the flash bulbs of London,” says 2 PWRR’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Crawley.

“The soldiers are having to get used to where everything they did was towards war-fighting, now it’s completely different.

“It is public duties, it is smart, and it is actually giving them the opportunities to show off – show off those Afghanistan medals while they are on the parade ground in front of Buckingham Palace.”

To read the full story click here

Private Jonathan Monk killed in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Private Jonathan Michael Monk from 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday 9 June 2010.


Private Monk was caught in an explosion and killed during a foot patrol to clear an area of improvised explosive devices to increase local national freedom of movement.

Private Jonathan Michael Monk

Private Jonathan Monk was 25 years old and from London. He joined the Army in 2001 aged 16 and joined the 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment following completion of basic training.

Initially in 6 Platoon, B Company he completed tours of Iraq in 2005 and Northern Ireland in 2006. Thereafter he moved to the Javelin Platoon for a further three years which included a tour of Afghanistan in 2008.

He left regular service in March 2009 to join the Fire Service. Due to a delay in the recruitment process he volunteered for mobilisation with the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) for the duration of Op HERRICK 12.

Following mobilisation, Private Monk deployed to Afghanistan with Mons Platoon, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) in April 2010. He subsequently moved to C Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) operating from Patrol Base RAHIM as part of the Danish Battlegroup in the Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North) area of Helmand Province.

The company has been providing security and stability to the Upper Gereshk Valley over the last three months along with improving the lives of ordinary Afghans by promoting governance and Afghan economic development.

The family of Private Jonathan Michael Monk made the following statement:

"Jonathan/Jon was the most wonderful son, and a truly great brother to Michaela. The Army was in his blood, it was all he'd ever wanted to do since he was five years old.

"He had great energy and drive, and tremendous courage and determination. Even as a child he had no fear of tackling difficult situations and would never give up.

"He was extremely generous both to family and friends, and always eager to give help to anyone that needed it.

"He leaves an enormous void in all our lives. We will miss him so much, but we will always be so proud of his achievements and the dedicated way he served his country. He will always be our hero."

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:

"Private 'John' Monk had served with the 1st Battalion for a relatively short time, but had quickly established himself as a highly capable soldier, and a valued comrade to his many friends.

"His previous service in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment had given him valuable experience, and he used this not only for his own benefit, but also for the benefit of the other members of his Company, most of whom are on their first tour.

"It is a sign of his total commitment to his country and the Army that he loved, that when he found time before his next career started he returned to serve with the Colours.

"We are fortunate that he chose to accompany us, bringing his unique style of humour and his extensive military experience with him.

"In camp he was every Sergeant Major's nightmare, nonchalant and laid back, but in combat he fought like a tiger and was always to the fore when the bullets were flying.

"He was the epitome of the combat Infantry soldier, and will be missed by all who knew him. We will remember his ready smile, his quick wit and his cool head under fire. He was so full of life and had so much more to give to the World, I consider myself privileged to have had him under my command.

"He stood firm and struck hard to his last breath, and will be sorely missed. His parents, Peter and Diana, his sister Michaela and his family and many friends are in our thoughts."

Lieutenant Colonel Kim Schmidt, Deputy Commander Danish Battlegroup, Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North) said:

"C Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) arrived as a valued reinforcement to the Danish Battlegroup in mid-April.

"Under the name Foxtrot Company we have come to appreciate and respect the persistence and professionalism with which the Infantrymen from C Company go about their business. They always take the fight to the enemy and are relentless when it comes to standing up against them in the Green Zone.

"C Company have been at the forefront of the primary task of interacting with the local Afghans in a way that promotes the overall mission. The soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers are good representatives of the hard and complex task of fighting in a counter insurgency conflict.

"The area around Patrol Base Rahim where Private Monk met his death is one of the hardest, most challenging combat zones in Helmand. John Monk did not die in vain; he died advancing on the enemy alongside his comrades.

"He died amongst his brothers in arms serving in Helmand waiting to start a new career with the Fire Service upon return from Afghanistan. As soldiers we are proud to serve with men of the calibre of John Monk.

"He set the standard when things were the hardest. This is what shows the true measure of a fine and respected soldier. Private Jonathan Monk rest in peace."