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Sapper Richard Reginald Walker from 28 Engineer Regiment,attached to 21 Engineer Regiment as part of the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group was shot in an apparent 'insider attack' by a member of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province on Monday 7 January 2013. He was working on a construction task with other military engineers from his Troop, as part of the preparations to hand the camp over to Afghan security forces, when the Afghan soldier turned his weapon on ANA and ISAF soldiers at the base. The incident resulted in a number of casualties, of whom were extracted to the Bastion Role 3 medical facility where Sapper Walker was pronounced dead. Read the full eulogy on the next page
Sapper Richard Reginald Walker, Corps of Royal Engineers was born on 7 February 1989 in Leeds. He worked as a technician for Vauxhall before joining the Army in July 2008. Upon joining the Royal Engineers he completed his basic training at the Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn before moving on to Gibraltar Barracks, Minley, where he completed his Phase Two Combat Engineer Training. He then moved to the Defence School of Transport Leconfield where hecompleted his trade training to become a driver.
He joined his first unit, 28 Engineer Regiment in Hameln, Germany, in
September 2009, deploying with them to Canada and then Kenya on major
exercises. His Troop, from 42 Field Squadron, was attached to 73
Armoured Engineer Squadron (73 AES) based in Ripon, North Yorkshire for
Operation Herrick 17. His Troop joined 73 AES in August 2012 and
deployed with the Squadron to Afghanistan at the start of September as
part of the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group.
Sapper Walker was a valued member of 73 AES and deployed on every single
Troop task. He was a popular and well respected member of his Troop and
upon joining the Squadron he quickly gained friends across the spectrum
of ranks; a testament to his likeable character and willingness to join in.
An avid football fan, Sapper Walker represented his Regiment at football
and spent endless hours in the gym. He even managed to spend some time
trying to learn to play the guitar albeit one chord at a time. Above
all he was a devoted father and would talk for hours on end about his
love for his daughter Lilly-Faith who sadly he only knew for 18 months
before his deployment.
Sapper Walker was destined to go on to greater things - his willingness
to learn, unswerving sense of duty and personal motivation to pursue a
successful career would have seen him progress far. Above all he will
be remembered for his charisma and team spirit; a true all rounder, his
loss will be felt for years to come.
Sapper Walker's family paid the following tribute to their son and brother:
"Richard held two things close to his heart - his daughter and his
colleagues in the Army. A proud, patriotic man, he died doing a job he
loved, supporting his friends".
Lieutenant Colonel Chas Story RE, Commanding Officer, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:
"Sapper Walker was the epitome of a true Sapper, one who would roll up
his sleeves and get on with the task in hand no matter what, but
importantly he would do it with great humour. He made sure that he made
the most of every opportunity, both in the Army and at home; it is
without doubt that he had a lot to offer and a bright future. He was
hugely respected as a fit, professional soldier with a massive
character. This was his first tour of Afghanistan but anyone would have
thought he was a seasoned expert, such was his ability and
professionalism.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, including his young
daughter Lilly-Faith, at this very difficult time."
Lieutenant Colonel Jack Nicholson RE, Commanding Officer, 21 Engineer Regiment, said:
"In the short time that Sapper Walker served with my Regiment he struck
me as being a driven young man, full of ambition and oozing with
professional pride and confidence.
"An outstanding soldier in the best traditions of The Corps of Royal
Engineers, he made an immediate impact on all those who had the
privilege of serving alongside him. Although on his first operational
tour, he acted like a veteran of many years' experience and clearly
relished the challenges he faced with his Troop in Afghanistan. Hard
working and utterly loyal to his mates, he was a real character who had
established himself as a man of action within his adopted Squadron.
"His tragic loss has stunned the whole Engineer Group and we are all
trying desperately to come to terms with this awful event. Our
heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends at this terrible
time, most especially his young daughter Lilly-Faith."
Major Chloe Plimmer RE, Officer Commanding, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment, said:
"I first met Sapper Walker when he arrived with his Troop to join our
Squadron for the forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan. He immediately
struck me as a very likeable character; a polite and motivated young
soldier who was very keen to deploy on his first operational tour. He
saw it as the culmination of all his training and was excited about the
prospect of operational service.
"Over the initial months spent in theatre Sapper Walker was a key member
of his Troop and was crucial to facilitating every task that they
undertook; he had the skill-set to operate a number of critical
vehicles. His enthusiasm for his role and the success that the Troop
achieved during this time were undoubtedly testament to his
professionalism; always keen to be involved, he would give his best at
all times even when under considerable pressure.
"Whenever I saw Sapper Walker he always made a point of saying 'hello'
and I felt that I got to know him better than many other soldiers in the
Squadron. I never once doubted his motivation and he always said he was
'living the dream'. He was a bright, cheerful, fun soldier who was
relishing the challenge.
"We in 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron have been hugely privileged to have
Sapper Walker's Troop attached to us and as an individual he was a
shining example to all ranks across the board. His positive attitude
and excellent performance ensured that he was seen as one of our own,
and our heartfelt sympathies go out to all of those in his Troop and
also his friends and colleagues in 42 Field Support Squadron and 28
Engineer Regiment back in Germany. He was one of the very best and we
are all left feeling hollow and saddened by his loss.
"To his family, there are no amount of words that can reduce the pain of
losing such a brave son, brother and doting father to Lilly-Faith. Our
deepest condolences are with them at this extremely difficult time."
Lieutenant Brad Southall RE, Support Troop Commander, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:
"Sapper Walker was a shining star. When I took command of my troop I
was struck by his charisma, his devotion to duty and his immense
capability; he was the older brother whom everyone looked up to. To his
friends he was hugely loyal and he was headstrong too. I could discuss
tasks with him at length but he would always end up doing things his
way; he was so determined. I began to accept that over time it was his
view that counted and I learned to trust him immeasurably. He was
passionate and committed to his work - a consummate professional. He
died doing the job he loved and I am proud to have served alongside him;
a fellow Sapper.
"He spoke often of his daughter, Lilly-Faith, and was a proud and
devoted father. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and
friends at this most tragic time. The Regiment has lost one of its best
men."
Staff Sergeant Sean Eaton, 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:
"I have had the privilege of knowing Sapper Richie Walker for well over
a year now. Firstly in my Troop in Kenya last year and now on Operation
Herrick 17. Sapper Walker was a character and always present to give a
small quip when required. As a soldier he remained professional in all
that was asked of him. He had started a physical training regime with
the aspiration to box on return from Afghanistan.
"Sapper Walker has a young daughter, Lilly-Faith, who was never far from
his mind. He would often speak about her with everyone. I only knew Richie for a short time, but he has left a lasting impression on me and will never be forgotten.
"My thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time."
Lance Corporal Terry Burke, 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:
"I've have had the privilege of knowing Richie since he joined 28
Engineer Regiment through the Regimental Football Team. However, I
really got to know him throughout the last year when I joined his Troop
in 42 Squadron back in Hameln.
"I class Richie as a close friend who was always there with a smile on
his face, especially when he was talking about his daughter Lilly-Faith;
he was a very proud dad. I had only spoken to him on 3 January 2013
while on R&R and he told me how much he had enjoyed spending time with
his daughter at the beginning of December.
"As well as being in the next bed space to me out here, we tended to go
the gym together where Richie was keen on getting the perfect 6-pack.
"All of the lads that have ever met Richie know what a great friend he
was. He will be sorely missed. All our thoughts are with his daughter
Lilly-Faith at this sad time."
Sapper Liam Ballantyne, 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:
"I first met Richie in October 2009 when I joined 42 Field Squadron. I
was allocated a bed space in the same room and we hit it off as friends
immediately. Richie was always willing to assist me with anything that
I needed having come straight from Training Regiment myself. It was
clear to me from the start that he was an extremely caring and
thoughtful individual to all around him and he immediately became a very
loyal friend. We would have done anything for each other.
"Over the years, we visited each other in our home towns and we got to
know each other's families during these visits. We enjoyed some great
times and his family always extended their greatest hospitality to me
whenever I stayed.
"Richie was a devoted father who would have done anything for his
daughter, Lilly-Faith. He never stopped talking about her wherever we
were. I even remember being on stag in the Kenyan bush with him and all
he could talk about was his daughter, despite the ever present threat of
lions roaming close by.
"Richie, you were a truly wonderful person and that is why people were
naturally drawn towards you as a friend. You were a true brother to me;
you will never be forgotten and you will be sadly missed by all who knew
you."
Sapper Matthew Cunningham, 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:
"Sapper Richie 'Guns' Walker - comrade, friend, father and much-loved
son.
"I knew Richie for 3 years and was privileged to be able to call him my
best mate. He was thoughtful, funny and a big character in any group he
found himself amongst, but he always put others first. He was very wise
and mature for such a young lad. I have so many good memories from over
the last three years but the one that stands out the most for me was the
day that he christened his daughter Lilly-Faith. He was so proud of
her; that day I remember him standing that extra inch taller and his
smile beaming more than usual.
"You will be sorely missed brother, gone but never forgotten until we meet again at the bar in the sky... RIP"
From all members of 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment:
"We had the privilege of knowing and working with Richie from the start
of Operation Herrick 17. In this time we have found out that he is a
joy to work with, plus an amiable character amongst the Troop.
"Richie was always talking about his daughter, Lilly-Faith, and from
this you could tell he was a devoted father and loved his little
Princess.
"He was a top bloke and our condolences go out to his family; he will be
sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him."
In the service of our country. |
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