Menu
19/08/2009
Soldiers' Bodies Returned To UK
There has been a heart-rending return for the remains of soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Captain Mark Hale's widow Brenda and two young daughters travelled from their home in Co Down to attend a private repatriation ceremony at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
The grief-stricken family made the emotional journey from Northern Ireland to receive his body on Tuesday.
Captain Hale, 42, had been serving in Helmand Province with the second battalion The Rifles when he was caught up in a double bomb attack last Thursday.
Cpt Hale and another Ballykinler-based soldier, Rifleman Daniel Wild ,19, had been helping to carry a wounded comrade to safety when they were hit by a secondary device.
Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, from Haxby, North Yorkshire, was initially hit by a makeshift explosive.
All three died in the brutal double attack.
Yesterday, the officer's daughters Tori and Alex were inconsolable as they watched a hearse carry their heroic father through the town of Wootton Bassett.
The girls were comforted by friends as they joined the hundreds of mourners lining the streets in respect for the three dead soldiers.
Originally from Bournemouth, Cpt Hale had settled with his Bangor-born wife Brenda in the village of Dromara.
Cpt Hale was also a devout Christian and had a keen interest in cycling, rugby and rowing, and along with his two daughters was a member of the Belfast Boat Club.
It is understood a private funeral service will be held at Ballykinler Army base before he is laid to rest.
However, a post mortem will be carried out by a coroner in Oxford before his body is returned to Northern Ireland.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that it would depend on when the coroner released the body from Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, where the bodies of dead servicemen are taken after returning to RAF Lyneham.
News of the deaths last week came as the total number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan reached a grim milestone of 200 - a figure which has since moved upward again to reach 204 this week, as more military personnel died.
The three died while providing security for a meeting ahead of Afghanistan's key presidential elections.
The deadly attack came as the family of a former soldier from Co Londonderry - who died in an explosion in the western province of Herat on Saturday while working as a private security man - were still waiting to hear when they will receive his remains.
Stuart Murray, 40, was a former Royal Irish Regiment Colour Sergeant who was killed while on a second tour of duty in the troubled country.
See: NI Security Officer Dies In Afghanistan
(BMcC/KMcA)
Captain Mark Hale's widow Brenda and two young daughters travelled from their home in Co Down to attend a private repatriation ceremony at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
The grief-stricken family made the emotional journey from Northern Ireland to receive his body on Tuesday.
Captain Hale, 42, had been serving in Helmand Province with the second battalion The Rifles when he was caught up in a double bomb attack last Thursday.
Cpt Hale and another Ballykinler-based soldier, Rifleman Daniel Wild ,19, had been helping to carry a wounded comrade to safety when they were hit by a secondary device.
Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, from Haxby, North Yorkshire, was initially hit by a makeshift explosive.
All three died in the brutal double attack.
Yesterday, the officer's daughters Tori and Alex were inconsolable as they watched a hearse carry their heroic father through the town of Wootton Bassett.
The girls were comforted by friends as they joined the hundreds of mourners lining the streets in respect for the three dead soldiers.
Originally from Bournemouth, Cpt Hale had settled with his Bangor-born wife Brenda in the village of Dromara.
Cpt Hale was also a devout Christian and had a keen interest in cycling, rugby and rowing, and along with his two daughters was a member of the Belfast Boat Club.
It is understood a private funeral service will be held at Ballykinler Army base before he is laid to rest.
However, a post mortem will be carried out by a coroner in Oxford before his body is returned to Northern Ireland.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that it would depend on when the coroner released the body from Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, where the bodies of dead servicemen are taken after returning to RAF Lyneham.
News of the deaths last week came as the total number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan reached a grim milestone of 200 - a figure which has since moved upward again to reach 204 this week, as more military personnel died.
The three died while providing security for a meeting ahead of Afghanistan's key presidential elections.
The deadly attack came as the family of a former soldier from Co Londonderry - who died in an explosion in the western province of Herat on Saturday while working as a private security man - were still waiting to hear when they will receive his remains.
Stuart Murray, 40, was a former Royal Irish Regiment Colour Sergeant who was killed while on a second tour of duty in the troubled country.
See: NI Security Officer Dies In Afghanistan
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 September 2009
Afghanistan Casualty Buried
The funeral of Captain Mark Hale, who was killed in Afghanistan, has taken place in Co Down. He died while trying to help an injured colleague when he was caught in an explosion. Today, his wife said words could not describe the desolation and loneliness she felt at losing "her soulmate".
Afghanistan Casualty Buried
The funeral of Captain Mark Hale, who was killed in Afghanistan, has taken place in Co Down. He died while trying to help an injured colleague when he was caught in an explosion. Today, his wife said words could not describe the desolation and loneliness she felt at losing "her soulmate".
26 September 2012
Royal Marine Who Died In Afghanistan On Monday Named
The Ministry of Defence has named a serviceman, who died in Afghanistan on Monday, as Capt Carl Manley of the Royal Marines. 41-year-old Capt Manley died at Bagram Air Force Base from what was believed to be natural causes.
Royal Marine Who Died In Afghanistan On Monday Named
The Ministry of Defence has named a serviceman, who died in Afghanistan on Monday, as Capt Carl Manley of the Royal Marines. 41-year-old Capt Manley died at Bagram Air Force Base from what was believed to be natural causes.
09 May 2013
Bodies Of Soldiers Returned To UK
Three soldiers who were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan are being repatriated to the UK.
Bodies Of Soldiers Returned To UK
Three soldiers who were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan are being repatriated to the UK.
28 July 2009
Soldier's Bodies Flown Home From Afghanistan
The bodies of four British soldiers who were killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan earlier this month, are to be flown home today. Rifleman Aminiasi Toge, 26, Corporal Joseph Etchells, 22, Captain Daniel Shepherd, 28, and Guardsman Christopher King, 20, were all killed in Helmand Province.
Soldier's Bodies Flown Home From Afghanistan
The bodies of four British soldiers who were killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan earlier this month, are to be flown home today. Rifleman Aminiasi Toge, 26, Corporal Joseph Etchells, 22, Captain Daniel Shepherd, 28, and Guardsman Christopher King, 20, were all killed in Helmand Province.
20 March 2007
Man charged over double killing
A 47-year-old man has been charged in connection with the murders of a disabled woman and her care worker in Southampton. David Tiley, from Southampton, was arrested in Swanage in Dorset on Saturday morning, in connection with the murders of Sue Hale, 49, and Sarah Merritt, 39.
Man charged over double killing
A 47-year-old man has been charged in connection with the murders of a disabled woman and her care worker in Southampton. David Tiley, from Southampton, was arrested in Swanage in Dorset on Saturday morning, in connection with the murders of Sue Hale, 49, and Sarah Merritt, 39.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
