Marine Richard Hollington dies from wounds sustained in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Marine Richard Hollington, from Bravo Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines died from wounds sustained in Afghanistan in the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, on 20 June 2010.


During the late afternoon of Saturday 12 June 2010, Bravo Company was conducting a reassurance patrol in Afghanistan for the local nationals in an area to the South of Patrol Base EZERAY. At approximately 1616hrs local, Marine Hollington was caught in an explosion.

He was immediately evacuated to Bastion Role 3 Hospital where his condition was listed as critical. On 13 June 2010, he was transferred to the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. At 1108hrs BST on 20 June 2010, with his parents and brothers present, Marine Hollington sadly died of his wounds.

Marine Richard Hollington

Marine Richard Hollington was 23-years-old, he lived near Petersfield, Hampshire, with his parents and younger brothers Nick and Charlie. Prior to joining the Royal Marines he played semi professional football for Fareham Town Football Club.

Completing Royal Marines training in September 2008, he attended the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield, gaining his full range of driving licences. Joining Delta Company 40 Commando Royal Marines in December 2008, he deployed in the New Year on Exercise Taurus; the largest Royal Naval deployment in over ten years. Serving both afloat and ashore he participated in a number of multinational exercises in Cyprus and Turkey.

The exercise culminated in the Far East, where he experienced the rigours of a jungle warfare training package in Brunei. On return to the UK he joined Bravo Company prior to beginning Mission Specific Training for Op HERRICK 12. He deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan in April 2010, where he was based at Patrol Base Ezeray.

Bravo Company has been conducting joint operations with the Afghan National Security Forces over the last few months aimed at bettering the lives of the local people by improving security and increasing their freedom of movement.

Marine Richard Hollington's family made the following statement:

"What can we say that hasn't been said so many times before and will be repeated so many times to come?

"Richard will leave a huge numbing hole in the lives of his family, friends and Royal Marine colleagues. The saying goes 'It is better to live one day as a lion than your whole life as a worm.'

"He chose to live his days as a lion and to us, and we believe his friends, he was the biggest, if softest, lion in the pride - how proud of him we all are. It was typical of Richard, and a crumb of comfort to us, that even in death he donated his organs to help others in accordance with his wishes."

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

"Marine Richard Hollington was one of my finest. He was bright, intrepid, determined and full of character; he was very much at the heart of 11 Troop. A very talented footballer and magnificent marine he had a lot to be proud of, yet I knew him to be an affable, generous, loyal and modest young man.

"He was gregarious and well-humoured, and in the privations of life in Sangin, he was invaluable. It takes extraordinary courage to be at the front of every patrol but Marine Hollington did so with the professional pride that gave confidence to others

"He was a strong and resilient man with an immense personality. He sadly died of his wounds incurred whilst on patrol in Northern Sangin, but we take some comfort in knowing that he was with his loving family at this terrible time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, his brothers, his family and his friends.

"He was one of life's greats and will be sorely missed by all in 40 Commando. Marine Richard Hollington was, and will always remain, a Royal Marine Commando."