PRIVATE GARETH LESLIE WILLIAM BELLINGHAM

3RD BATTALION THE MERCIAN REGIMENT (STAFFORDS) - COMBINED FORCE NAHR-E-SARAJ (NORTH)

Private Gareth Bellingham, from Stoke on Trent, was born on 21 November 1988. He enlisted in the Army in October 2007 and attended the Combat Infantryman's Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, before
joining the 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Staffords). He completed the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle Gunnery, Driving and Maintenance Courses in quick succession, and soon became his Company's best Warrior Gunner. A man with considerable driving experience, he undertook conversion training to operate Husky and Jackal vehicles prior to deployment to Afghanistan. It was in the light infantry role, though, that he excelled; his experience, determination and personality inspiring all those around him.

Private Gareth Bellingham deployed to Afghanistan in April 2011 as part of Combined Force Nahr-e-Saraj (North), commanded by the Danish Battle Group.

On the morning of 18 June 2011, Private Bellingham deployed with C Company Tactical Headquarters and Number 3 Tolay (Afghan National Army), to an area near Khar Nikar in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand
Province. The Company Group was conducting patrol to assess the situation on the ground and meet with the local population who had recently returned to compounds in the area.

During the patrol, a local Afghan was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). As C Company were providing security, insurgents fired upon the patrol and Private Bellingham was fatally wounded.

Private Bellingham will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all that knew him.

Leslie and Suzanne, Gareth's proud parents, said:

"Gareth died doing the job he loved and we are all proud of the job he did. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and all those who knew him. Rest in peace"

Lieutenant Colonel Giles Woodhouse, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) said:

"Private Bellingham's untimely death is a tragic loss to the Battalion. He was an extremely hardworking and committed Warrior who was wholly respected by his peers and chain of command alike. Team-spirited, and with great common sense and humour, he was a pillar of strength in C Company.

"Pte Bellingham was one of those soldiers that you had to have in yoursection; fearless, utterly professional, a prankster and a loyal friend who never let you down; quite simply he was a force for good.

"Observing Private Bellingham, before deploying on a patrol, with his Afghan Army partners with whom he had developed a genuine affinity, I can understand why they fought so hard to save him when he was mortally wounded. That his death has affected our partners as deeply, as it has all the soldiers from the Battalion, is testament to the high esteem in which he was held. The world will be that little bit emptier now
without him. Our thoughts go out to his family at this devastating time."

Colonel Jens Riis-Vestergaard, Commanding Officer Combined Force Nahr-e-Saraj (North) said:

"Pte Bellingham was an exemplar of the counter-insurgent soldier that works in the Nahr-e-Saraj (North) area of operations. His conduct, professionalism, confidence and good nature helped reassure and protect a population in harm's way. The Afghan Army Tolay that he worked with thought so highly of him that several, in turn, refused to leave him when struck, considering him 'one of theirs' after just 2 months of fighting together. Typical

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CRAFTSMAN ANDREW FOUND

D SQUADRON (WARTHOG GROUP) FITTER SECTION - LIGHT AID DETACHMENT

THE ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOON GUARDS (CARABINIERS AND GREYS) - THE CORPS OF ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

Craftsman Andrew Found was born on 8th November 1983. Hailing from Whitby, and a proud Yorkshireman, he was affectionately known by those in the Squadron as 'Foundy'.

He joined the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a Recovery Mechanic on 11 December 2006, aged 23. Upon completion of basic and trade training he was posted to 4 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, then based at Bordon. Prior to his arrival at the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, he served in Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 10 in 2009. Joining D Squadron (WARTHOG Group) in August 2010 he conducted the full Mission Specific Training package for Operation HERRICK 14. In April 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan with the WARTHOG Group, under the command of 30 Commando Royal Marines taking part in a wide variety of operations across the Task Force Helmand area.

In the early hours of Thursday 16th June 2011, D Squadron deployed to target insurgents operating from an area in the north of Helmand Province. During the operation, a WARTHOG vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which disabled the vehicle and injured its crew. As the Recovery Mechanic, Craftsman Found was assessing the damage to the vehicle when he was caught in a secondary explosion in which he was fatally wounded.

Craftsman Found was married to Samantha and they had one son, Jaxson. He was also father to Michael from a previous relationship.

Craftsman Found's wife, Mrs Samantha Found, paid the following tribute: "You're my husband, my best friend and are my world. I cannot explain my pain and the hole you have left in all our lives. You are the best husband anyone could have wished for; a great dad, friend and you have touched the hearts of many in your life.

"You loved your job, your family and friends and always loved a good joke. You always made me smile. I will love you always and forever. You where my rock and my hero and always will be. I love you so much."

Craftsman Found's parents, Jennifer and Alan Found and his brother Simon Found, paid the following tribute:

"Andrew is our son, a brother, a husband, a dad, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson, a friend and a soldier.

Andrew died doing the job he loved. Even though we are all in pain now, we will remember the fun, the laughter and all the love he brought to all the people he knew and loved."

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Biggart MBE, Commanding Officer The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards said:

"Craftsman Andrew Found was an intelligent, selfless and brave soldier as well as a devoted family man. As a Recovery Mechanic within the Light Aid Detachment of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, which he joined in February 2010, his role was a particularly important one but his natural talent, dedication and commitment made him all the more unique. His professionalism was not limited to his core role within the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; it was apparent in all that he did as a soldier, a craftsman and a brother in arms.

"I first saw Craftsman Found shortly after he joined SCOTS DG training on the prairies of Canada in May 2010. Easily recognisable as one of the tallest men in the Regiment, his soft Yorkshire tones completed the aura of a gentle giant. He quickly fitted into his new Regiment and became part of the close knit team which is a Squadron Fitter Section. The strong impression he first made continued throughout the following year of training and into our deployment to Afghanistan.

"Craftsman Found was killed by the blast of an Improvised Explosive Device while doing the job he loved and was so very good at. He was coming to the rescue of his

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