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1ST BATTALION THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
SERVING WITH 1ST BATTALION THE MERCIAN REGIMENT (CHESHIRE)
POLICE DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY AND TRAINING TEAM
Lance Corporal David Ramsden was 26 years old and from Leeds. He joined the Army in January 2002 and, following attendance at the Army Training Regiment Glencorse and the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, he joined the 1st Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in July 2002. He served in the United Kingdom and Belize and on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and finally Afghanistan. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in October 2005 and left the Army in 2007 to pursue a career in civilian street.
Following mobilisation as a Regular Reservist, Lance Corporal Ramsden joined the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) in January 2010 and completed Mission Specific Training in readiness for a six month deployment to Afghanistan. He deployed to central Helmand in April 2010 and joined the Police Advisory Team, working from the Afghan National Police Headquarters in Gereshk, Southern Afghanistan. His team has been advising the Afghan Police in the area in order to ensure that they are better able to deliver more effective security to the city, whilst reinforcing Afghan rule of law and creating the conditions for economic development.
On 23 June 2010, following an incident at a nearby Police Check Point, Lance Corporal Ramsden's Police Advisory Team, along with the Afghan National Police, deployed as a Quick Reaction Force in support of their Afghan colleagues. The vehicle in which he was travelling overturned into the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal. At approximately 2208hrs local, Lance Corporal Ramsden was killed in the incident alongside three of his colleagues from the Police Advisory Team - Colour Sergeant Horton, Private Douglas Halliday and Private Alex Isaac.
The family of Lance Corporal Ramsden made the following statement:
"David lived life at 1,000 mph. He loved Army life and his job and as a teenager was in the Army Cadet Force. His friends called him Lizard due to him keeping two iguanas which he re-homed before he left for Afghanistan. He was a normal young lad who would always cheer you up and often did things for a laugh. He loved socialising with his mates both in and out of the Army. We all loved him so much - he was very generous and he would do anything for his family and friends. Although we didn't see much of him due to Army life, when he arrived back his personality lit up a room and we knew he was home and we will miss him so much."
From his Mum, Shirley, Dad, Eddie and brothers and sisters, Zoey, twin Emma, Matthew and Jeremy."
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:
"Lance Corporal Dave Ramsden enlisted into the 1st Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in January 2002. During his time with the Battalion he served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq, before leaving the Army in 2007. We were fortunate that when he returned to the Colours this year he chose to join the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) for our tour of Afghanistan. As an experienced hand he had an immediate impact on those around him, calming nerves and helping the junior men to cope with the demands of operational service. As a proud Yorkshireman he told it the way it was, but he fitted in well with his new adopted Regiment and the men of the North-West. Known as 'Lizard' in both Regiments, he will never be forgotten. He lived the
values of the Yorkshire Regiment, being honest, fair, gritty and proud. I am privileged to have had him under my command and know that he stood firm and struck hard to the last. Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, Edward and Shirley, his family and many friends."
Major Paul Dupuy, Officer Commanding Police Advisory Team Gereshk, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery said:
"In the short time I have known and had the privilege of commanding Lance Corporal Ramsden, 'Lizard' to his colleagues, he proved to be a highly professional and competent soldier. He was always keen to get stuck into any task and he had numerous good ideas which I often implemented to improve the way in which the team mentored the Afghan Police. An inquisitive and engaging individual, I will always remember the frequent conversations we had discussing politics and strategy. His loss will be felt by us all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this most difficult of times."
Captain Ben Stephens, Intelligence Officer, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:
"Lance Corporal Ramsden possessed a quiet and sincere disposition. He executed his duties with a consideration for others not always seen in soldiers. As a reservist volunteer for operations in Afghanistan I had the utmost respect for him and his dedication to the cause. He was highly committed to his job and hoped to re-enlist back into the Regular Army to continue his career. It was for these reasons he was such a popular figure amongst his peers. His passing will not be forgotten amongst those who served with him. My honest and heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and friends whose loss we cannot comprehend. Stand Firm and Strike Hard "Lizard" Ramsden, your memory lives on."
Ranger Sammy Macauley, A Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:
"Dave, what can I say? He was one of a kind. I first met Dave in January 2010 when all the Territorial Army and Regular Reservists met to do a two week mobilisation package in Chilwell before moving to our receiving units. Dave was always the joker and always up for a laugh. He was so laid back, any more and he would have been lying on the ground. Dave was always up for a drink and having a good time. It didn't matter what day of the week it was, he always made sure everyone, including me, enjoyed life to the full. The best thing about Dave was that he was always smiling; it didn't matter what the situation was, he would always boost morale with his smile. I will miss Dave very much; he was as good a friend as he was a good soldier. Everyone that knew him will miss him very much. You will never be forgotten my friend. My thoughts go out to your family and friends. Rest in peace, we will always remember you."
Fusilier Jason Palmer, Private Benjamin Yandell, Fusilier William Dawson and Private Paul Lowden, A Company, 1St Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:
"We first met Lance Corporal Ramsden at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre, Chilwell in January during our mobilisation phase. A likeable Yorkshireman, friendly and funny, a committed soldier and one of a trio of socialites. His dedication and commitment proved an inspiration to us all. You will be sadly missed and somebody we would all be proud to call a brother. God bless you Rammie."
Private Daniel Neale, Police Advisory Team Gereshk, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said:
"Lizard and I met when we deployed and we instantly became friends. He was like my younger brother. He was naturally friendly and outgoing and could get on with anyone he met. He was happy to chat to anybody around him and always had them smiling in seconds. Lizard had a unique character and sense of humour and these things made him the person he was. He always wanted to get his point across and stood by the things he said and believed in. He was always happy and willing to help with anything and whether he liked what he was doing or not, he would always do it anyway. He would do anything to help the team and to make people's lives better in any way he could. He was a truly selfless person. I miss him very much and wish to pass on my condolences to his family and friends. I am truly sorry for their loss and he will always live on in my memories."
The Police Advisory Team Gereshk, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said: "Lizard was a unique character with an equally unique sense of humour. He was never afraid to speak his mind and his friendly nature endeared him to everyone who met him. He always went out of his way for the team and was driven to making everyone's lives easier. His chirpy and outgoing nature meant that he naturally clicked with everyone he met. He was always happy and approached everyone with a huge smile on his face. Lizard was a valued member of the team whose natural confidence and ability always meant that he took things in his stride."
In the service of our country. |
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