LCpl Buxton was involved in a traffic accident whilst driving alongside the Nahr-e Bughra canal and died of his injuries soon afterwards at the UK hospital in Camp Bastion.
Lance Corporal Barry Buxton
Lance Corporal Barry Buxton, aged 27, from Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, enlisted into the Royal Engineers on 2 January 2002 as a Design Draughtsman, later re-training as an Armoured Engineer.
He joined 21 Engineer Regiment in Ripon on 16 November 2009.
Lance Corporal Buxton had previously served with 25 Engineer Regiment in Ireland and 22 Engineer Regiment in Tidworth.
He deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC in 2006 and to Canada on Exercise MEDICINE MAN in autumn 2009.
Immediately prior to deploying on Operation HERRICK 12, he completed the Armoured Engineer Class 1 course.
Lance Corporal Buxton deployed on Operation HERRICK 12 in March 2010 as the second-in-command of a field section in 1st Armoured Engineer Squadron. As well as completing combat engineer tasks, his section formed the Squadron’s mobility group and were used to escort personnel, equipment and vital engineering materiel within the Nad-e Ali area.
On 3 May 2010 he was commanding a vehicle during a move between Patrol Base SHAWQAT and Patrol Base SHAHEED in order to conduct a technical reconnaissance for a future bridge building project which would increase freedom of movement to hundreds of local nationals.
Whilst driving alongside the Nahr-e Bughra canal, the road collapsed causing his vehicle to roll into the canal. The heroic efforts of his fellow Sappers managed to free him from the submerged vehicle, but he was pronounced dead soon after arriving at the UK hospital in Camp Bastion.
Lance Corporal Buxton leaves behind his wife Emma who lives in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent.
Lieutenant Colonel Bobby Walton-Knight, Commanding Officer 21 Engineer Regiment said:
"Lance Corporal Buxton was a great soldier and a fine man.
"Friendly and outgoing with a keen sense of humour, he had only been in the Regiment a short time but had quickly made his mark. He was an inspirational Junior Non-Commissioned Officer, respected by his men and trusted by his commanders.
"He had a bright future ahead of him: confident and capable, he would have gone a long way.
"Among his many talents, he was known for his fitness and determination. He would rise to every challenge and particularly relished tough physical activity: running, biking, skiing, kayaking, he could do them all and he could do them to an exceptional standard.
"In 2008 he represented the Royal Engineers in the gruelling Devizes to Westminster canoe race picking up the trophies for the fastest Army and the fastest Services’ time.
"A true professional and a friend to all who knew him, he will be sorely missed by the Regiment. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emma, his family and his many friends."
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