Special Boat Service - Special Forces
Special Reconnaissance Regiment

Two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
27 Jun 2006

Captain David Patton (Left above) of the Parachute Regiment was born on 12 Sept 1967. 

Sergeant Paul Bartlett (Right above) Royal Marines was born on 3 March 1971.

Blair tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan 

Tony Blair led tributes in the House of Commons yesterday to the two British special forces' soldiers killed on Tuesday in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan. The men are believed to have been a member of the Royal Marines' Special Boat Service and a Captain from the army's new Special Reconnaissance Regiment.
The Prime Minister invited the Commons to join him in sending condolences and sympathy to their families and said the country could be "very proud" of the work they were doing.

The SBS is the naval "sister service" of the SAS and has just 232 men in its four operational squadrons. About half are trained for land missions, specialising in close reconnaissance and demolition. 'By Strength And Guile'

The SRR is composed of volunteers from all regiments and has a core of soldiers with experience of undercover work in Northern Ireland and the Balkans.

A third unit, the new Special Forces Support Group, is also understood to have been deployed to Afghanistan only two months after being formed from a mix of Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment personnel.
All of the covert units come under the command of director, special forces, who answers directly to Downing Street and the Cabinet's Cobra emergency committee.
The SBS has been used in land operations in Bosnia and Iraq in recent years to relieve overstretch on the SAS. 
The two special forces men who died in Afghanistan were hit when their patrol was returning under cover of darkness to a forward base in the Taliban refuge of the Sangin Valley in northern Helmand province. When the 12-man patrol came under attack, the soldiers took up defensive positions to return fire. Both fatalities and the wounding of a third trooper happened as they fought off insurgents Manoeuvering to overrun their position.

Captain David Patton
Mourners told of slain soldier's commitment 

A Northern Ireland soldier killed in Afghanistan was totally committed to his job, mourners today (6th July 2006) heard. Hundreds of friends and family packed into Portstewart Baptist Church in Co Derry to hear Captain David Patton’s former minister Val English pay tribute to the 38-year-old father of one, killed during fierce fighting in Sangin Town, in the southern Helmand province.

Capt Patton is survived by his wife, Paula, and a 14-month-old daughter.

The Aghadowey man, killed on Tuesday, June 27, was serving with the special forces at the time, although attached to the Parachute Regiment, and died along with a Royal Marine soldier when fighting flared after a rocket-propelled grenade destroyed a vehicle. Mourners began arriving at the church on the outskirts of Portstewart over an hour before today’s 2pm service and they included East Derry MP Gregory Campbell, from the Democratic Unionist Party. The former General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland, Sir Phillip Trouesdell, was among former and serving military figures who attended.

An Uilleann-piper played as a 14-strong guard of honour from the Royal Irish Regiment 1st Battalion stood outside the church as people arrived. Also among the mourners was Coleraine Councillor Norman Hillis.

The coffin draped in a Union flag with military medals and a belt belonging to Mr Patton on top of his coffin.

A floral tribute that said ‘Dad’ was also carried in the hearse which was followed from the family home in Aghadowey by a silver BMW and a black Volvo containing friends and family.

He (Captain David Patton) started his career with the Royal Irish Rangers in Germany. He was laid to rest next to his father, Terry, who was a major in the former Ulster Defence Regiment.

Reggie McCay, his music teacher and pastoral head, paid tribute to his former pupil.
Mr Patton attended Limavady High School between 1979 and 1984, along with his brother, Terry.
“He and his brother were two super chaps. We were so proud of them. It was just so sad to hear of David’s death,” he said. “He was always in the right place at the right time and he was utterly reliable. “He was a model pupil, an excellent student. He showed great determination and whatever he started, finished.”

To read more about the "Special Boat Service" click here

Lance Corporal Michael Jones Royal Marines (SBS) killed during operations in southern Afghanistan on Sunday 29 July 2007.

Lance Corporal Michael Jones RM 

Lance Corporal Michael Jones RM was killed in action in Afghanistan on 29 July 2007, at the age of 26. Raised in Newbald, Yorkshire, he was born on 2 February 1981 and joined the Royal Marines aged 18 on 8 February 1999. Through eight years of meritorious service, he served on operations in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

His Commanding Officer said:

"Michael was a truly exceptional Junior Non-Commissioned Officer, the best at his level, who unflinchingly stood, time after time, shoulder to shoulder with his friends in the very worst of conditions. It will be impossible to replace Michael. He will be remembered as a genuine and loyal friend whose selfless bravery whilst assaulting a formidable Taliban position is an example to us all." Michael was taking part in a special mission to root out insurgents in the Nimruz province in the south-west of the country.

Michael Jones was a commando in the Special Boat Service (SBS). Three other SBS men were also wounded in Sunday’s gun battle.
He was taking part in a special operation ordered by commanders to target a Taliban group who were planning to carry out attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Please note that no more names will be added to this website of those killed on operations in Afghanistan for security reasons, it is also the wish of the families ... we will remember them in our own special way ... never forgotten ...
Unless photos / information are in the public domain.

James Thompson killed in Afghanistan on 19 May
James Thompson – the first SAS officer to be killed in Afghanistan

He was patrolling on foot as part of operations in the Musa Qaleh area when he was caught in an explosion and tragically lost his life. 

His family have released the following tribute to him: 

"James Thompson was a loving son, brother and friend to many. His tragic and untimely death has devastated the family and touched all those who knew him. James was proud to be a soldier – he died doing the job that he loved and will be sadly missed by all.”

His Commanding Officer said: 

"James Thompson was a special individual. A professional and reliable soldier in every respect - we were all privileged to serve alongside James who excelled in all that he did.

"His death has come as a great shock and he will be sadly missed by all his colleagues. Our thoughts are of course with his family, at this most difficult time."

THE funeral of a soldier from Whitley Bay who died while serving in Afghanistan took place at "St Mary the Virgin", Monkseaton.
In his death notice, his parents Allen and Hilary Thompson, former owners of the Marlborough Hotel on the Whitley Bay seafront, stated: "Full of life and fun, a devastating loss but we are all so proud of him."

James, 27, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

A collection for the Headley Forces Rehabilitation Centre was taken at the church.

Corporal Sarah Bryant of the Intelligence Corps, Corporal Sean Robert Reeve of the Royal Signals, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin and Paul Stout ((23 SAS-(TA)) killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 17 June 2008. All four soldiers were tragically killed while taking part in a deliberate operation east of Lashkar Gah when the vehicle in which they were travelling was caught in an explosion at approximately 1540hrs. Another soldier was wounded in the incident and is receiving treatment for his wounds at the UK Field Hospital at Camp Bastion. He is in a stable condition.

Statement from the family of Corporal Sean Robert Reeve, aged 28, Royal Signals:

"A dearly loved son, brother, godparent, uncle, grandson, and friend, who was loving, loyal, honourable, selfless and gentle. A pillar of strength that all could turn to.

Sean’s professionalism and determination for all that he did was an inspiration to all that were fortunate to have known him. Taken from us but never forgotten."

Corporal Reeve was a member of the Royal Signals serving on attachment to 23 SAS.

It may come as a surprise to many that even the SAS, known to the world as the British armed force's crack team of elite soldiers, has a TA regiment attached to it. In fact, it has two – the Artists Rifles (21st) and the 23rd SAS regiment, in which the soldiers involved in the latest incident served. TA soldiers serving in the regiments are very highly regarded, with some placing their skills higher than many regular soldiers. The selection process is tough, and not far off that subjected on full-time SAS hopefuls. Men aged between 18 and 30 are free to apply (the age limit is extended for those with military experience). Then a series of mental and physical tests are used to highlight the cream of the crop. Training takes place just like other TA soldiers, over a series of weekends and camps.

Lance corporal Larkin and Pte Stout were both married with children. They served with 23 SAS, one of two part-time SAS regiments fighting the Taliban.

Statement from the family of Lance Corporal Richard Larkin, aged 39:

"Lance Corporal Richard Larkin was a beloved husband, father, son and brother whose tragic and untimely death will be deeply mourned by his family, friends and colleagues."

Statement from the family of Paul Stout, aged 31:

"Paul was a loving father and devoted husband. He was a wonderful son and brother and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Our lives will be changed forever by this lost."