Taliban bomb victim is highest ranking British casaulty since Falklands War

Jul 3 2009 Chris Hughes THE most senior British Army officer killed in action in more than 25 years has died on the Afghan frontline. Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards, was caught in an explosion in Babiji, Helmand province, on Wednesday. Trooper Joshua Hammond of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment was also killed in the blast during operations against the Taliban. They were travelling in a vehicle when it was hit by a roadside bomb. Six more NATO soldiers were injured in the explosion. Married five years ago, Lt Col Thorneloe was seen as one of the most promising young officers to reach CO level. In 2006 when he was still a major, he was awarded the MBE. Friend He is the highest-ranking frontline British Army fatality since Colonel H Jones in 1982. Col Jones was CO of 2 Para... [read full story]                    

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