In Memoriam

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Canada

Canadian Army Master Corporal Byron Greff, from the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was killed in Kabul on 29th October 2011 when the vehicle he was in was rammed by a suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives.

M-Cpl. Greff was serving as a mentor and trainer advising Afghan National Army trainers who provide recruit training to Afghan soldiers. He is the first Canadian soldier to be killed since Canada ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in July, and launched its current operation to train Afghan troops.

He joined the Canadian Forces in 2001 and had been serving with the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry since 2002. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting and hockey, and in typical paratrooper fashion, he was extremely fit. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan.

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Australia

Australian Army Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, age 27, was one of three soldiers killed on 29th October 2011 by a rogue Afghan Army soldier at a patrol base in northern Kandahar.

L-Cpl. Gavin joined the in 2004 and, on completion of his basic training was posted as an infantryman to the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), in Townsville in 2005. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in January 2009. He was a highly-qualified soldier, having completed specialist training as a combat first aider, Pashtu linguist and infantry support weapons operator.

L-Cpl. Gaving served in East Timor three times and deployed to Afghanistan in June 2011. He leaves his wife and their three children.

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Australia

Australian Army Corporal Ashley Birt, age 22, was one of three soldiers killed on 29th October 2011 by a rogue Afghan Army soldier at a patrol base in northern Kandahar.

Cpl. Birt joined the Australian Regular Army in June 2007 and served with the Royal Australian Engineers as a Geospatial Technician. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in February 2011 and to Corporal in April 2011.

His colleagues describe him as being a proud and well-liked soldier of the 1 TOPO SVY SQN. He maintained a very high level of physical fitness and played hockey at the highest levels. Due to his natural leadership style, maturity, hard work ethic and dedication to his specialist trade, he was quickly promoted through the ranks.

He leaves his parents Don and Linda and his brother Dale, who issued the following statement: "The death of Ashley has been a tragic shock to our family, his mates and the Gympie community. Ashley was a proud soldier who loved his job. He was a loving son, devoted brother, wonderful uncle and loyal friend who will be dearly missed."

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Australia

Australian Army Captain Bryce Duffy, age 26, was one of three soldiers killed on 29th October 2011 by a rogue Afghan Army soldier at a patrol base in northern Kandahar.

Captain Duffy was born in Sydney and was educated in Brisbane. He joined the Australian Defence Force Academy in January 2003 and completed a Bachelor of Science. He graduated from the Royal Military College in December 2006 and was posted to 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery based in Brisbane. He was transferred to the 4th Field Regiment in January 2011 as the Assistant Operations Officer, before his second deployment to Afghanistan in September.

Captain Duffy was a well known and highly-regarded young officer. He was recognised by his commanders for his strength of character, determination and diligence. He leaves his partner, parents and family.

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Scotland

Scottish construction worker, David Quinn, from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, was killed on 29th October 2011 in Kabul, when a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into an armoured NATO bus.

Mr. Quinn was working for Texas-based construction firm Fluor Corporation in the country. He was a former pupil at Caldervale High School in Airdrie and leaves his wife Jane and daughter Sophie.

Other victims of the attack included British construction worker Stephen Brown, who also worked for Fluor Corp., Canadian soldier Master Corporal Byron Greff, four US soldiers, a civilian from Kosovo and five American civilians.

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From the Cleveland Plain Dealer - article about the funeral of 1st Lt. Ashley White Stumpf, post 1713.

Much too beautiful a day for the funeral of a beautiful young woman.

http://photos.cleveland.com/plain-de...ey_whit_7.html

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29 October 2011

US Military victims of Kabul suicide bomb

Four American servicemen were among the victims of the Kabul suicide bomb attack on a NATO armored bus. They died on 29th October 2011. They have been named as:

Lt. Col. David E. Cabrera, 41, of Abilene, Texas, assigned to Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda.

Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Newman, 26, of Shelby, N.C., assigned to Medical Company A, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.

Sgt. James M. Darrough, 38, of Austin, Texas, assigned to 101st Finance Company, 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

Sgt. Carlo F. Eugenio, 29, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., assigned to 756th Transportation Company, 224th Sustainment Brigade, California Army National Guard, Van Nuys.